Bon bagay

I hope today's post makes you smile. Sometimes I feel like I focus too much on the negative in my posts, giving the false impression that nothing good is happening in the world of Haitian culture these days. That is far from the truth.

For example, this past October 16th and 17th, the 4th annual edition of Artisanat en Fête was held. It was a great occasion for a family outing. It’s no secret that Haitian art and craftsmanship is not only beautiful, but usually of high quality, so it was a delight to wander the grounds of the Parc Historique de la Canne à Sucre and behold all the wonderful items on display. There were paintings and clothes, handbags and sculptures, furniture and sandals, jewelry and traditional foods. This year, the Office National de l'Artisanat (ONART) provided a wonderful addition to the festival, with hands-on workshops for the kids in attendance. The children were able to work with clay or make necklaces out of shells and beads, learning the value of Haitian craft and artisans from an early age. The art on display was out of my price range, but I did take pictures and collect business cards in the hopes that I could track down some of the artists when I’m able to afford their work. There seemed to be fewer artisans in attendance than last year and there were some organizational problems. Paying with a credit card was especially tricky. Still, Artisanant en Fête continues to attract patrons and artisans alike and constitutes an amazing showcase of Haitian culture and talent.

To continue with the bon bagay theme: last weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in the Haiti and the Americas conference, organized by Florida Atlantic University. From October 21-23, Rafe Dalleo, Carla Calargé and Clevis Headley brought together a wonderful group of scholars, artists and professionals to reflect upon and discuss the links and relationships that exist between Haiti and the rest of the Americas. Myriam Chancy’s keynote address, "A Marshall Plan for a Haiti at Peace: To Continue or End the Legacy of the Revolution" was especially noteworthy. Chancy examined the notion of aid, how it is distributed and the various motivations behind it. The other keynote speakers were Sibylle Fischer and J. Michael Dash. There were no simultaneous panels, allowing the conversation to flow from one panel to the next. Of course, that made for some very long days, but it also fostered a sense of community that was well worth it. Topics discussed included the rise of Protestantism in Haiti, the Haitian community in Cuba, representations of sex in Haitian literature, the reaction of African Americans to the US refusal to recognize Haitian independance and a reading of Wyclef Jean's candidacy by yours truly. The interdisciplinary perspective was quite stimulating, allowing us to engage the main topic from various angles. Many scholarly and personal connections were made over the course of the three days.  I look forward to the published volume that will result from this conference and encourage everyone else to look for it, too.

NM

Chimen lekòl

Lekòl Repiblik Ekwatè nan Delma ki poko janm ouvri ane sa a

Lekòl ta sanse ouvri mwa sa a ann Ayiti. Ministè Edikasyon Nasyonal te programe rantre lekòl la pou lendi 4 oktòb. Men pi fò lekòl nan zòn tranblemantè a te frape a pa t ouvri pòt yo jou sa a. Genyen ki ranvwaye antre a pou youn oubyen de semenn. Gen lekòl ki fèmen pòt yo nèt. Genyen ki ouvri men ki pa konn pou konbyen tan yo ka kenbe.

Selon tradisyon ayisyen, Oktòb ta sipoze vle di blokis nan lari, bak machann devan pòt lekòl. Inifòm tout koulè k ap pran chimen lekòl. Ane sa a, se yon lòt koze. Ane sa a, blokis la se pa paske gen anpil timoun ki pral lekòl, men paske wout yo vin pi kraze toujou, yo plen debri, tant nan tout lari. Pandan Minis Edikasyon Nasyonal ap mande tout moun montre solidarite, elèv Lise Tousen ap fè manifestasyon pou yo mande gouvènman an deplase moun k ap viv nan lakou lekòl yo pou kou kapab kòmanse. Profesè ki pa touche depi plizyè mwa pa al travay. Genyen ki fè sit-in. Sa fè plizyè mwa n ap tande pale de valè kòb ki pral bay pou kore sektè edikasyon nan peyi a, pou fè tout ti ayisyen al lekòl gratis. Men oktòb rive sou nou. Kisa ki fèt vrèman ? Anpil moun isit ak medya yo tou gentan pale de echèk. Anpil moun gentan wè distans ki egziste ant timoun ki soti nan fanmi ki gen mwayen ak sa k soti nan fanmi ki pa genyen ap vin plis. Sosyete a ap vin pi dezekilibre toujou. Preske di mwa apre tranblemantè 12 janvye a, rantre lekòl la pèmèt nou wè valè travay ki rete pou fèt. Valè travay ki pa fèt, menm pandan tout kantite moun ak òganizasyon vle ede Ayiti ak Ayisyen. Nan nouvo projè CIRH la fenk aprouve, gen plizyè ki konsène edikasyon. Men si se 7 oktòb, kòb pou bati lekòl sa yo aprouve, kilè y ap disponib pou timoun ki bezwen al lekòl ?

Pitit pa m lan kòmanse premye ane fondamantal ane sa a. Eske l ap fè tout ane lekòl li nan lekòl prive ? Menm jan avè k lè m te lekòl, menm jan ak lè granparan l te lekòl ? Anpil moun te espere apre sa k te pase 12 janvye a, t ap gen kèk gwo chanjman nan sosyete a. Mwen poko wè chanjman sa yo. Si semenn sa a, gen kèk timoun ki kapab pran chimen lekòl, pi fò pa ka ale. Swa paske lekòl yo pa egziste ankò, swa paske espas lekòl la okipe, swa paske paran yo pa gen mwayen. Olye chak ti fondasyon, chak ti ONG, chak gwoup moun k ap anonse sa y ap fè pou timoun nan tèl kan oswa tèl lòt, ala bèl sa ta bèl si te gen yon anons nasyonal ki di bon jan lekòl ap gratis pou tout timoun jan konstitisyon an mande l. Ala bèl sa ta bèl si sa te fèt vre. Gen peyi kote lekòl prive se yon chwa, yon privilèj. Isit la, se sa ki nòmal pandan nou konnen majorite popilasyon an nan difikilte ekonomik. Se lekòl leta a ki vin yon privilèj. Gen yon epòk, lise yo te pami pi bon lekòl peyi a te genyen. Fòk nivo akademik lekòl leta yo tounen nan nivo ekselans sa a pandan tou yo kapab resevwa tout timoun nan peyi a. Tout paran vle sa ki pi bon pou pitit yo. Paran ayisyen pa ta dwe nan tout difikilte sa yo pou voye pitit yo lekòl.

Semenn sa a mwen kontan, mwen fyè paske ti pitit mwen an rantre nan lekòl fondamantal. Semenn sa a, mwen tris, mwen wont paske pi fò ti konpatriyòt li yo pa ka fè menm jan avè l.

NM