BHR 3-12 - Dorchester Reporter
Transcription
BHR 3-12 - Dorchester Reporter
BOSTON HAITIAN REPORTER Citizen Martelly Vol. 11, Issue 3 MARCH 2012 FREE Dogged by persistent rumors about his eligibility to serve, President Michel Martelly finally confronted the issue head on this month. By TRENTON DANIEL Associated Press PORT-AU-PRINCE— President Michel Martelly displayed his Haitian passport on national television on March 8 to try to quell rumors that he gave up his citizenship and is not eligible to hold office. The Haitian constitution does not recognize dual nationality for senior government officials, and politicians have been disqualified from office in the past for having acquired the citizenship of other countries. Critics of Martelly, a former globetrotting musician, charged that he had renounced his Haitian citizenship prior to taking office last May. Several opposition senators went so far as to open an inquiry into the question of his passport. Martelly had already denied that he held the citizenship of another country but angered opponents by refusing to show his Haitian passport. But on Thursday, Martelly showed reporters eight stamped passports that he’s held over the years as U.S. ambassador to Haiti Kenneth Merten and other diplomats looked on. Merten said Martelly used to have a green card and now has visa, and there are no records of him being an American citizen. Schools let out early and some businesses closed early before the late afternoon news conference amid reports of anti-government unrest. But Associated Press reporters saw no evidence of unrest. The traffic was heavy as people made their way home but the streets appeared calm otherwise. RIGHT: President Michel Martelly, center, shows eight stamped Haitian passports that he’s held over the years during a press conference in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, March 8, 2012. Martelly displayed his passport to help quell rumors that he gave up his citizenship and is not eligible to hold office. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Haitian women hit the streets to demand more rights A coalition of women organizations in Haiti led a march through the streets of Port-au-Prince on March 8 to mark International Women’s Day. Supported by more than a dozen local human rights organizations and activist groups, the marchers sang, “Women, we are reeds. You can cut off our heads, you can burn our roots, but when it rains, we will grow again.” Story, page 8. Rachelle de Fondechaine, a member of SOFA (Haitian Women’s Solidarity) reads a declaration in front of the Ministry for the Status and Condition of Women on March 8. Photo by Ben Depp T-Micky: Is he the real deal? The industry’s latest sensation, T-Micky, makes his debut appearance with the album, “Pa Chache’m.” Does the son of Haiti’s president and one of the most celebrated performers of his time have talent? In a word, says BHR contributing editor Steve Desrosiers: “Yeah!” Album review, page 6. Clinton, Duvalier, Martelly: Haiti’s three-legged power cauldron — Sylvain, Page 4 Page 2 Boston Haitian ReporteR March 2012 BostonHaitian.com Student-led conference shines positive light on Haiti By Manolia Charlotin Editor On February 11 BrandHaiti, a student led marketing nonprofit that is working to re-brand negative perceptions of Haiti, hosted its annual symposium at Tufts University. The all day business conference titled “Investing in Haiti: Challenges, Strategies, Opportunities” featured several prominent entrepreneurs, many, directly from Haiti. The panels addressed key themes of entrepreneurship, investment and economic development on the island. BrandHaiti, founded in 2010 by Marie-Gabrielle Isidore and Chad Gordon, was a response to the consistent negative images of Haiti particularly after the earthquake. The two students conceived the organization as interns under the tutelage of Tuft’s Institute for Global Leadership. In its second year, the symposium’s focus on investing in Haiti drew a sizeable attendance from members of the diaspora – which included some of Boston’s Haitian entrepreneurs – Legrand Gandhi Lindor of Caribbean Apparel was featured on a panel that addressed the next generation of leadership and Patrick Lucien of the Ile-a-Vache Development Group presented one of his new products, a fruitbased pepper sauce. “We wanted our students and guests, to get a full perspective of what it means to invest in Haiti,” said Isidore. The conference planning team sought to emphasize areas of opportunity, and inspire participants to get involved in the long-term sustainability of Haiti. “More importantly, we wanted to show that there [are] amazing Haitians in Haiti leading successful businesses, working hard to improve and rebuild their country, models and industries that are successful, and show the real faces and voices of Haitians.” One of those entrepreneurs was panelist Genevieve Lemke, who owns the Wahoo Bay Beach Club and Resort an hour away from Port-au-Prince. Wahoo Bay is one of the well-known tourist destinations on the island. “I want the image of Haiti to change,” said Lemke. “I am tired of when I travel and people ask where I am from and I say ‘Haiti’ they say ‘really?’ Like everywhere else we have our problems, but there’s so much positivity we want people to come discover this positivity that nobody is talking about.” Many of the attendees expressed similar optimism in the potential for Haiti’s economy to grow from its under-utilized resources. “I learned a lot from [this conference] and met like-minded people who are operating in Haiti,” said Marie-Danielle Vil-Young. Vil-Young is a scientistturned-entrepreneur who owns À Votre Service, a New Jersey-based upscale event-planning firm. She hopes to open an office in Haiti and to work with the school of hospitality to enhance training of service professionals. “It was important for me to hear about the realities of working in Haiti, especially in the hospitality industry. Things are not always perfect, but with all the resources we have I’ve always thought ‘why aren’t we using these same resources to build our economy?’ For me, my technical background helps me with problem-solving, which is very important as an event planner.” Throughout the symposium, attendees also noted the importance of transparency in government, as longstanding charges of corruption in the public and private sectors remain a daunting challenge for the current administration, and its robust efforts to attract investors. Lemke and other speakers say the country needs political security and as they see positive things happening, they are working to do their part to help Haiti move forward. These positive messages are at the core of BrandHaiti’s goals. “[The] key was to make sure Haiti remains in the spot light and that the information that is communicated is not always negative,” said Jacques-Philippe Piverger, founder of the Global Syndicate and board member of BrandHaiti. “…the fact that people traveled from pretty far away is a testament to the hard work of the team.” This hard work has helped the organization grow at an impressive rate, with several chapters in universities across the US, and more scheduled to start in Canada and France later this year. In addition to the annual conference, BrandHaiti organizes an internship program that matches young talent with businesses in Haiti along with a spring break program – which has just received an official endorsement from the ministry of tourism. “We developed [BrandHaiti] on the idea that young people can serve as ambassadors of Haiti on their respective college campuses,” said Isidore. “We believe that if students are exposed to Haiti, develop a love for the country, they will hold a special place in their hearts for Haiti.” “Students are future leaders and policy makers, who will one day make decisions about Haiti, so we want to plant a seed of inspiration in them to remain committed to Haiti’s long term sustainability.” Brunache: ‘I want community to know I’m there for them’ By Manolia Charlotin Editor Marjorie Alexandre Brunache, Counsel Minister for the General Consulate of Haiti in Boston, is the newest representative of the Haitian government in Boston. She was appointed to the position last fall and has served since Dec. 1, 2011. She succeeds Emmanuelle Dupiton and Gladys Joseph. “What I want the community to know is we are here for them,” said Counsel Brunache. “We deliver so many important services, that outreach to educate the community on what we provide is key to our success.” Brunache was born in Port-au-Prince. She was an attorney in Haiti and practiced family and commercial law there. She has counseled and served numerous ministries in the Haitian government – most recently ministry of foreign affairs. “I was glad to find out that I would serve my government in this capacity, in Boston,” said Brunache. “I attended UMass Boston from 2008-2010, where I received a graduate degree in Conflict and Resolution. This city is a great place to further [one’s] education and raise a family.” Brunache’s knowledge of the community has informed her initial outreach efforts. She’s visited several churches (including a recent visit to St. Mary’s in Lynn), attended numerous community gatherings and Marjorie Alexandre Brunache, Counsel Minister for the General Consulate of Haiti in Boston. Brunache is the newest representative of the Haitian government to join the Boston office. special events (including HAU’s Independence Day gala), and visited some detainees who await deportation in local prisions. “On February 4, we went to a few of the large prisons in the state to visit some of the detained,” said Brunache. “They really appreciated our presence, as some are apprehensive of the deportation process and they feel that they’re forgotten. They need someone to explain what will happen and what they can expect when they arrive in Haiti.” In addition to the community visits, Brunache wanted to make sure that the community knows the full scope of services offered at the general consulate. “We provide travel documents including passports, visas for foreigners who visit Haiti and documentation for residency,” said Brunache. “We also provide mandated paperwork for Haitians who need to take care of business affairs in Haiti, whether it’s the purchase of homes or bank statements. We also help people who need their birth certificate or marriage license.” The general consulate has also played a role in promoting Haitian arts and culture. Brunache says they work with artists to have rotating paintings shown at the consulate. “We are very proud to support and promote local artists,” said Brunache. “As a matter of fact, we are hosting an exhibit at Boston City Hall this month, that goes through March 16. You can visit the 8th floor to see some wonderful art from great local Haitian artists.” The consulate’s outreach has extended online as well. “We want to meet the community where they are, so we have a Facebook page too! It’s Consulat General d’Haiti de Boston. Visit us there or come by our office in 545 Boylston Street, room 201 in Boston.” Clinton urges officials to stem cholera By TRENTON DANIEL Associated Press MIREBALAIS — Former U.S. President Bill Clinton said that a U.N. peacekeeper was responsible for bringing cholera to Haiti but may not have known that he was doing so, and efforts need to focus on stemming the outbreak. Clinton was asked after a hospital tour if he agreed with a statement by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice, about holding accountable those who brought cholera to Haiti. Studies have suggested that peacekeepers from Nepal likely introduced the disease to Haiti for the first time, months after the January 2010 earthquake. “First of all, the United Nations has spent a great deal of money in Haiti,” Clinton told reporters. “Secondly, I don’t know that the person who introduced cholera in Haiti, the U.N. peacekeeper, or soldier from South Asia, was aware that he was carrying the virus.’’ Clinton added: “It was the proximate cause of cholera. That is, he was carrying the cholera strain. It came from his waste stream into the waterways of Haiti, into the bodies of Haitians.” But Clinton added that what “really caused” the cholera outbreak was the country’s lack of proper sanitation. “Unless we know that he knew or that they knew, the people that sent him, that he was carrying that virus and therefore that he could cause the amount of death and misery and sickness, I think it’s better to focus on fixing it,” Clinton said. Clinton, the U.N. Special Envoy to Haiti, made the remarks after he toured a brand-new public teaching hospital in the Central Plateau that was built by the Boston-based Partners in Health. PIH Co-founder Paul Farmer, a public health expert who serves as Clinton’s deputy at the U.N., hosted Clinton as the two toured the hospital, a fish farm and a smaller hospital to study ways solar energy can power remote facilities. An international panel appointed by the United Nations produced a report that blamed the outbreak on a “confluence of circumstances” that included bad sanitation. The cholera outbreak prompted a Haitian law firm and its international partner to file a complaint against the United Nations last year on behalf of the victims, which is under review by the world body’s legal office. Cholera has killed more than 7,000 people and sickened more than 526,000 others since it was introduced to Haiti in 2010, according to Haitian health officials. (AP) BostonHaitian.com March 2012 Boston Haitian Reporter Page 3 Study: Violent crime has spiked in cities By TRENTON DANIEL Associated Press PORT-AU-PRINCE— Haiti has seen a dramatic increase in violent crime in the shanties of its major cities over the past six months, helping undermine faith in the country’s police force, according to a study released this month. The preliminary findings in the report titled “Haiti’s Urban Crime Wave?” speak to rising concerns among Haitians that their country is entering a period of political turmoil that could thwart efforts to help rebuild in the aftermath of the powerful January 2010 earthquake. Homicides in the heavily populated areas of Haiti’s biggest cities appear to have increased sharply from August 2011 to last February, according to the study authored by social scientists Athena Kolbe and Robert Muggah, and backed by the Canadian government’s International Development Research Centre and the Brazil nonprofit, the Igarape Institute. While the homicide rate in Port-au-Prince is lower than that of some other Caribbean cities, Haiti’s capital saw 60.9 murders per 100,000 residents over the year leading up to February 2012, the highest recorded murder rate since 2006, according to the study. For example, the Bel Air district of Port-au-Prince saw homicides jump from 19 per 100,000 people in 2010 to 50 per 100,000 people near the end of 2011. “This murder rate is not just high — it’s enormous,’’ Kolbe said. In comparison, New York City’s homicide rate was less than 7 per 100,000 in 2011, while Oakland, California, had 23 homicides per 100,000 residents. The bulk of the Haiti murders happened in densely populated areas in the cities where there are high levels of social marginalization and poverty, which included Cap-Haitien, Les Cayes, Gonaives, among others. Police chief Mario Andresol said he needed to review his crime statistics to see if they reflected the findings of the report but conceded that Haiti has long seen a spike in crime when political instability takes hold. “When you have political turmoil you have problems with insecurity,” Andresol said by telephone. “There is a kind of destabilization of society.” Haiti is at a fragile moment in its history with quake reconstruction effort advancing slowly and hundreds of thousands of people still living in roughand-tumble camps. Also, Haiti’s prime minister abruptly resigned last month because of infighting with President Michel Martelly and it’s unclear when a successor will be approved by Parliament. Meanwhile, thousands of supporters of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide recently rallied in the streets to bash Martelly’s reconstruction efforts. According to the authors of the study, there is no single factor to explain the rise in violent crime but they point to a frustration that stems in part from the many international humanitarian groups that came to Haiti after the earthquake. Many aid groups came to urban neighborhoods and pumped in money and resources, before withdrawing just when they were needed most, said Kolbe, a doctoral candidate in social work and political science at University of Michigan. This interrupted social networks in these neigh- borhoods, she said. “You have people coming in from aid agencies, giving money to some groups within the community and not others,” Kolbe said in an interview at her home in the Port-au-Prince area. “This disrupted the community, and then there’s been this abrupt pull out now of the funds.” Muggah is a fellow of international relations at the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Kolbe and Muggah collected their data from interviews with 3,000 households in Haiti’s major cities. The survey used random sampling methods. The study also noted that for the first time since 2007 confidence in the Haitian National Police force has plunged among city dwellers, which is in contrast to the faith that was found in the force in the aftermath of the earthquake. Almost one in five respondents expressed concerns that police officers were unable or unwilling to protect them from crime. (AP) Former Central Bank chief slain P O R T - A U PRINCE— A prominent Haitian banker whose son recently pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal bribery case has been killed in the capital of Port-au-Prince, police said. Venel Joseph was fatally shot late on March 6 while at the wheel of his car, according to police spokesman Gary Desrosiers. He said no one has been arrested and that authorities have no further details. Joseph was director of Haiti’s Central Bank during former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s second term from 2001 to 2004. His son, Patrick Joseph, pleaded guilty to bribery in a U.S. federal court last month and agreed to testify against others accused of receiving kickbacks to obtain cheaper phone rates from Teleco, Haiti’s telecommunica- tions company, owned by Haiti’s Central Bank. Patrick Joseph once served as Teleco’s director. (AP) Get daily updates at bostonhaitian.com When you NEED care, just walk right in. Walk-in re Ca t n e g r U ys a d 7 w no a week! Illness doesn’t keep business hours which is why our Urgent Care is open for you 7 days a week. During regular hours: Mon-Thur 8am - 9pm Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 1pm AND, weekend hours: Saturday until 3pm Sunday 9am - 1pm You have a right to good health! Dorchester House. The best health care for you and the whole family. To make an appointment, call 617-288-3230. High quality, friendly health care in your neighborhood. In Fields Corner 1353 Dorchester Avenue 617-288-3230 For more information, visit us on the web at www.dorchesterhouse.org Page 4 Boston Haitian ReporteR Editorial Governor, legislators: Put our Greenway on your must-do list The Patrick administration and its legislative allies on Beacon Hill are once again pinning the future of the long-delayed Neponset Greenway expansion on winning a federal grant worth almost $12 million. The state’s application for the federal grant is a good one and we hope it is successful. But, it was a good application last year, too, and the Obama administration did not fund it then. US Transportation chief Ray LaHood bypassed the Greenway in allotting tax dollars to dozens of other transportation projects across the country -- including several in the president’s home state of Illinois. So it comes as a shock to learn that our governor and our lawmakers have no Plan B to deal with the fallout from a second turndown. Why is there no other plan in place to fund the Greenway’s construction, which could start as soon as this June if money is secured? Where is the sense of urgency on the part of our elected leaders to follow through on their commitment, particularly to the people of Mattapan, who continue to be walled off from the natural resources of the Neponset? Is there no one at the State House who cares enough about this project – and the people in this community who’d benefit from it – to take the lead here? You would think that our governor, the man who will criss-cross the country over the next few months preaching the virtues of the Obama government, would be that up-front person, given his personal ties to the president and the fact that this project is, literally, right in his backyard. Yes, it would take a hard ask from governor to president to wrest those millions from LaHood’s grasp, but surely he is up to that. Yet on that same basis, he evidently didn’t make a push last year. Why? The essence of political support implies a two-way process. Voters in Mattapan give to Deval Patrick (92 percent) and Barack Obama (95 percent). Should not these same voters expect due consideration given to federal help for a project involving a precious natural resource that will breathe new life into their neighborhood? In the months since the last TIGER grant proposal fell through, legislators have done nothing to advance an alternative funding source in the state budget, leaving everything to chance on this next round of competitive grants from LaHood’s purse. Contrast that inaction about a Mattapan initiative with the efforts of lawmakers from another part of Boston – the North End – who never stop advancing their own legislation to get state funds for another Greenway, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, which in its short life has been lavished with millions in state and federal dollars. But it’s not enough, the North End delegation says as it members press for an additional $20 million over the next five years for the downtown Greenway. Successful or not in the new bidding, give them credit for giving it their best shot. They know that by asking for anything, they’re likely to get something. It has become all too clear that the completion of the Neponset Greenway is everyone’s second or third priority, if that. It’s time for the men and women who represent us at the State House – from Governor Patrick on down – to take ownership of this special project, make the hard asks to get it funded, and then get it done. No more excuses. – Bill Forry BOSTON HAITIAN REPORTER “An Exploration of the Haitian-American Experience” A publication of Boston Neighborhood News Inc. 150 Mt. Vernon St., Suite 120 , Dorchester, MA 02125 Worldwide at www.bostonhaitian.com Mary Casey Forry, President (1983-2004) Edward W. Forry, Publisher William P. Forry, Managing Editor Manolia Charlotin, Business Manager/Editor Steve Desrosiers, Contributing Editor Yolette Ibokette, Contributing Editor Patrick Sylvain, Contributing Editor News Room Phone : (617) 436-1222 Advertising : (617) 436-2217 E-mail: [email protected] Boston Haitian Reporter Reporter is not liable for errors appearing in advertisements beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. The right is reserved by Boston Haitian Reporter to edit, reject or cut any copy without notice. Next Issue: April 2012 Next edition’s Deadline: Wed., April 4 at 5 p.m. All contents © Copyright 2012 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. Mail subscription rates $25.00 per year, payable in advance. Make payable to the Boston Haitian Reporter and mail to: Boston Haitian Reporter, 150 Mt. Vernon Street, Suite #120, Dorchester, MA 02125 March 2012 BostonHaitian.com Commentary A Wobbly Cauldron Supported by Three Legs By Patrick Sylvain Contributing Editor Following the demise of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti enlisted a series of measures to heal the wounds of its venomous past. A new, more democratic constitution was written in 1987, Aléxandre Pétion’s red and blue flag was hoisted to re-invigorate the republic, and an electoral process was attempted to establish a representative democracy. Unfortunately, in Haiti, where power is traditionally lopsided, the practice of institutionalizing participatory democracy is often overtaken by leanings toward winner-take-all mentalities and practices. Despite preventive actions, Voices of the landscape unwittingly inclines toward dictatorship Boston and corruption. One fundamental problem with governance is the fact that Haiti has never been fully democratic. The subjugation of the masses has been perpetuated by not only the policies and practices of Haiti’s elite (both political and economic) but also by members of the international community. Foreign hands are perpetually mired in the workings of the nation’s governmental, economic and social affairs, often to their own benefit, as they propel Haiti to an unstable future. Bill Clinton Former US President Bill Clinton is the purse holder and most experienced politician and technocrat operating in Haiti today. He wields a formidable power to calibrate and recalibrate political outcomes in Haiti due in large part to the nation’s social fragmentations, structural deficiencies, and vulnerability to the imposed will of members of the international community. Furthermore, his designations as UN special envoy and Co-Chair of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission give credence to his role as interlocutor and power broker in the Haitian political and economic milieu. While Clinton’s intentions for Haiti can easily give way to negative speculation given his past actions (in his own mind, his intentions may be of benefit to the Haitian people), there is much to say about the incapacity of a nation to exercise its own sovereignty. The failures of Haitian government have diminished its potential to have a true stake in its self-governance is unfortunate and is a direct result of its inability to uphold the principles of democracy. Regardless of intention, if we had been benevolent guardians of our sovereignty, and respectful of all social strata within the nation, Bill Clinton would have never been considered a factor in the affairs of an independent nation. Nonetheless, Haiti has become the new political laboratory for technocrats, politicians, and musicians with inflated egos who want to usurp national power. In the Haitian lab, Clinton is one of the chemists who concocted a ghastly potion for the nation. One then has to wonder, is there a role that Bill Clinton plays in Haitian politics that extends the scope of his U.N. mandate? Does he serve as the de-facto president of the country given his unbounded reach into Haiti’s internal affairs? Is the return of Duvalier a return fraught with symbolic connotations to the political order that Clinton experienced when he visited Haiti in the mid-1970s? Or, is Clinton simply animated by the prospects of redemption following his role in the devastation of Haitian rice crops for the benefit of American agribusiness? Certainly, as Paul Farmer noted in his latest book, Clinton was instrumental in getting much needed medical supplies to the earthquake-ravaged zones of Haiti. His power opened a lot of avenues, “Clinton had brought the surgical supplies and generators and anesthesia, as we’d asked”. Clinton is indeed a mover and a shaker, a power broker who gets things done, although he has in the past, enacted policies that were utterly devastating to Haiti. So, what now? Clinton’s latest aspirations for Haiti are noble to say the least. In Back to Work, his latest publication, he sets out “to rebuild and diversify the economy there in the aftermath of the earthquake.” He aspires the materialization of a relevant system of education, healthcare, government services, etc… so that the system might “provide predictable rewards to citizens for hard work and honest dealings. Haiti is now trying to build such systems.” However, the likelihood of a substantial manipulation of Haiti’s fragile system remains unlikely. Jean-Claude Duvalier and Michel Martelly Former dictator, Jean-Claude Duvalier, who once held the seat of state-sponsored corruption and terror in Haiti, returned from his exile one year following the 2010 earthquake. Today, Duvalier roams freely in Haiti and even holds court with both Bill Clinton and current President Michel Martelly. Strangely enough, the international community, led by the purported champions of democracy, has remained silent on this issue. Martelly is known to be a proud Neo-Duvalierist. His election to the presidency during a time of national crisis is argued by many to have been forced and mathematically re-numbered by the international community with the hopes of establishing Haiti as a source of cheap labor and a site for the extraction of its already meager natural resources. The government of Haiti under Martelly is so entrenched in the old Duvalier paradigm, that even former Prime Minister Garry Conille found himself unable to function within it. Where governance is concerned, Haiti has reached a new low in its level of disrespectability. That Martelly has sympathies with Duvalier is discouraging, but it is perhaps more troublesome that appointed arbiters and intermediaries are also bedfellows with such a contemptible fixture of Haiti’s past. In a sense, rekindling that savage past has launched an assault on memory, and on decency. Countless disappearances and state-sponsored violent acts committed against the Haitian population during the Duvalier regime poses questions about the promise of an equitable and just society in light of Duvalier’s uncontested return. Some attribute his reemergence to the actions of Bill Clinton, who perhaps seeks to publically and politically castrate Martelly’s predecessor, René Préval. Re-orientation for perceived stability The cordiality displayed in the interactions between Clinton, Martelly and Duvalier may indicate the centralized nature of power while sending a message that the shenanigans of the Lavalas and Inite camps will not be tolerated. Yet, the Lavalas camp is trying to display its legitimacy as a power broker by occupying the streets and reminding the world that Aristide is also a political force on the terrain. The importance of this tri-persona power relation in the political affairs of the state and nation, has to do with the re-orientation, a reshaping of the political landscape so “stability” could pave the way to foreign investments and the purported aggrandizement of the economy for a potential middle-class that will be geared towards a lasting and meaningful societal re-foundation. Therefore, is Bill Clinton the supreme engineer of the Haitian political landscape? Is the presence of Duvalier necessary to buttress the Martelly presidency that proclaimed Haiti is open for business? If so, what business? The assembly lines of women who work under the most denigrating conditions because respectable and adequate alternatives are not even an option, to provide for their children. We’ve moved from the plantations to the factories under the heat of the strongmen economic whips, where the dignity of an entire nation is soiled for the interests of morally corrupt elites that erroneously refer to themselves as members of the bourgeoisie, when they are nothing short of high-end resellers. A possessing-class that corruptively dominates politics, but does not produce anything that could create a middle-class, and sadly, they are as dependent on foreign aid as the exploited poor who is forced to accept the most inhumane of conditions because the national purse is dependent on the international community that never cared. “I didn’t succeed in every endeavor, and I made some mistakes in trying,” said Clinton. Well, the Martelly endeavor is proof that the Clinton equation has failed in so many measurable ways as the Martelly administration chokes democracy to reinvigorate the Duvalier doctrine of a strongman politic that runs counter to the nation’s needs to build institutions that would move the country toward a viable future. One could hope that foreign intervention for the presumed intent to uphold democracy would yield results that could have the semblance of actual democracy, but involvement by these power players is inevitably marred by contradictions. Haiti must not only build back better. It must be governed by ethical Haitians – properly chosen by the sovereign citizens of Haiti. Patrick Sylvain is an Instructor of Haitian Language and Culture at Brown University. BostonHaitian.com March 2012 Boston Haitian Reporter Some light at the end of the tunnel By Marjorie Dumornay and Elise Young In defiance of the usual dismal news coming out of Haiti, rays of progress are emerging in the country’s reconstruction. In large part, this forward movement is a result of the ‘Je Nan Je’ platform (Creole for ‘Eye to Eye’), a recent uprising of several thousdand of the poorest and most vulnerable Haitians reclaiming their constitutional rights and advocating for land and housing. The passion and enthusiasm of this platform, consisting of a dozen grassroots, peasant and women’s networks from each corner of the country, is a serious force to be reckoned with. The ‘Je Nan Je’ Platform, with support from ActionAid, was created in October of 2011 out of deep concern for the reconstruction process taking place in Haiti. The platform is made up of 11 grassroots networks, social movements and women’s groups. These include: KROS (Regional Coalition of Southern Organizations,) RENHASSA (National Haitian Network of Food Sovereignty & Security ), KONAFAP (National Coordinating Committee of Peasant Women ), KPGA (Peasant Organizations of Grand-Anse,) COSADH (Coordination of Actions on Health & Development in Haiti,) APV (Association of Peasants of Vallue,) MPP (People’s Movement of Papaye,) COZPAM (Platform for Community Associations of the Metropolitan Zone of Port-au-Prince,) FANM DESIDE (Women Decide,) KABAGRANGOU (Hunger Free Coalition,) MPNKP (National Congress of Papaye Peasant Movement). One day before the two year commemoration of the devastating earthquake, over 10,000 ‘Je Nan Je’ members marched across Portau-Prince to Parliament with a list of recommendations for improving land and housing rights, reducing gender-based violence, and incorporating more grassroots groups into the recovery process. These peaceful protestors are no longer accepting the current inertia behind both Haitian and international reconstruction efforts and are speaking up with demands for tangible, specific changes. The march was such a success, and the Presidents of each chamber of Parliament welcomed ‘Je nan Je’ into a special session of the General Assembly to review their charter of recommendations. Senator Andris Riche stated that it was one of the first times in his 30 years as a Senator that he can remember a group of protestors delivering a specific list of recommendations and he welcomed the opportunity to collaborate. As a result, Parliament has now formed a new bi-cameral commission to address the ‘Je nan Je’ charter and to work collaboratively to incorporate the land and housing rights recommendations into a viable piece of legislation. One thing is clear from the recent ‘Je nan Je’ movement. The dis- Lawmakers should pay more attention to addressing the nation’s problems By Reginald Toussaint Currently, the Haitian legislature is spending much of its time and energy lobbing personal attacks at President Michel Martelly. Though well founded, by investing in personal attacks the legislature is missing an important opportunity to explore the gaps in the President’s policies. And perhaps more importantly the Parliament is showing itself to be out of touch with the needs of the public, which may in the end, have the unintended consequence of granting Martelly more power. President Michel Martelly, so far, has proven to be more adept at politics than expected. In a relatively short period, he has already put his stamp on Haiti and he has done it his way. Whereas his predecessors consolidated power through coalition building, Martelly prefers to go it alone. So far, his approach has yielded mixed results. However, he is winning the battle of ideas and remains very popular; if he survives the current challenges from the legislature, he may emerge as the most powerful executive since Francois Duvalier. Martelly, from the moment he was inaugurated, made it clear that he was not comfortable working around the legislative branch. First, he nominated a Prime Minister (Daniel-Gerard Rouzier) without consulting with INITE, the majority party, or any other of the major political parties. (It is unclear in the constitution if the Prime Minister should be nominated by the executive or legislative branch but it angered many legislators from larger parties who felt as though they should have been part of the process of choosing the person who will lead the government). It took two more rounds of nominees, and several months, for the government to reach a compromise on a Prime Minister. Shortly after the Prime Minister’s inauguration, tensions flared, once again, after a member of the lower house, Arnel Belizaire, was illegally arrested. The arrest seemed as payback as it happened days after Belizaire engaged in a public argument with President Martelly. The lawmakers viewed Belizaire’s arrest as an attack on their institution since, as a deputy, he enjoyed partial immunity. They began an investigation on who ordered the arrest, which sputtered after the resignation of the Minister of Justice. Nevertheless, tensions remain high between the executive and the legislative branch, and they seem to be on another collision course. Several lawmakers have accused Martelly’s administration of nepotism and misappropriation of funds. Most importantly, they have also alleged that Martelly and several members of his cabinet hold dual citizenship (unconstitutional in Haiti), which they are currently investigating. If any of these allegations prove to be true, they would most likely move toward impeaching the president. The strategy of challenging the legitimacy of a president and blocking his initiatives is common practice in Haiti. Traditionally this has resulted in gridlock, and frustration from the electorate, thus opening the door for drastic measures such as a coup d’etat. However, it may backfire this time around. While the legislative is conducting business as usual, Martelly has casted himself as a new kind of leader, a man of action. He is constantly touting the work his administration has done thus far despite a hostile legislative: providing free education to more than 900,000 impoverished children, encouraging foreign investment, inaugurating the Caracol Industrial Park and promoting tourism. Martelly’s approach seems to be working. He enjoys historically high approval ratings. A recent Gallup poll suggests that confidence in the government has tripled since he became president and 67% of Haitians approve of his performance. Furthermore, he enjoys a good working relationship with the international community. Unlike his predecessors, there has been no international pressure for Martelly to collaborate with opposition parties. With elections scheduled later this year to renew a third (10) of the senate seats, we can expect Voices of his popularity will undoubtedly result in electing senaBoston tors who are friendlier to his administration. When we take into account that there are several judicial seats to be filled one can conclude that in a very short time, Martelly will have a lot more leverage. Most people would agree it is not in Haiti’s best interest to have an executive that is too powerful. Especially one who is a known Duvalier sympathizer. It is absolutely critical that there is strong legislative checks and balances on President Martelly. In order to do that, they will need to stop conducting business as usual. Martelly was elected because Haitians grew tired of politicians who seemed more concerned about using their positions “to play politics” while ignoring the country. The current legislature indicates they are out of touch with the electorate by investing a disproportionate amount of their time and energy investigating Martelly instead of addressing the country’s myriad problems. This is a missed opportunity to truly hold the president accountable, since the overall effect of Martelly’s initiatives are debatable. Some experts have argued that tourism and foreign investments will have, at best, a minimal impact on the local economy. It is time for Martelly’s opponents to present themselves as a true check and balance on the presidency. The legislature must demand greater transparency and accountability of this President’s initiatives and present their own solutions to the country’s problems. If they continue to spend so much of their time and resources on personal attacks against the populist Martelly it may result in a consolidation of his power, and we may end up with a presidency that resembles a dictatorship. placed camp members and peasant farmers, the majority of whom are women, are ready to boost themselves out of poverty, and they have some clear ideas on how to get there. They are calling for an end to shelter strategies that put vulnerable people at further risk and a renewed commitment to free up land and advance aid dollars for permanent housing. They are speaking out for the government to increase investment in agriculture from the current meager three percent and for international NGOs and governments to prioritize the needs of smallholder farmers, not just export interests. They want a formal, consistent place for grassroots groups and poor and vulnerable populations in the reconstruction process so development can be sustainably led by the people. Women, as well as the overarching theme of women’s rights, play an important role in the movement. Despite the active participation of women’s groups in the movement, women’s networks have been marginalized from the overall reconstruction process. The ‘Je Nan Je’ platform is changing this. To further their message and outreach, several members of the ‘Je Nan Je’ campaign, as well as other Haitian grassroots leaders, traveled to Washington, DC two weeks later to tell their story to U.S. officials and members of Congress. As part of a three day advocacy week sponsored by five members of Congress and promoted by the Haiti Advocacy Working Group, these grassroots leaders testified on the current realities of gender-based violence, IDP camps, cholera, agricultural development, overall aid disbursements and the legislative, judicial and Page 5 democratic reforms that are needed to change people’s lives. One of the members was Marie Ange Noel, coordinator of the women’s grassroots movement Fanm Deside (Women Decide), who testified on the extreme need to reduce gender-based violence throughout the country. USAID, US State Department and Congressional members all took these testimonies seriously and vowed to follow suit. Although U.S. intentions towards Haiti are well-meaning, and the recommitments of several participating US officials and Congressional members are promising, this is no time to sit and wait for the U.S. to change its approach. Haiti advocates must speak up to our Members of Congress, to the Obama administration, to USAID and the State Department, and ask for a different type of foreign aid plan towards Haiti— one that prioritizes the needs and voices of the most vulnerable. We cannot fully progress towards a complete and holistic reconstruction in Haiti until we, as a nation, embrace the Haitian people for what they truly are: equal partners. If Haiti wants to rebuild effectively, government officials, international donors and international relief agencies need to listen to the voices of the poor, who constitute the majority of the population. The ‘Je nan Je’ movement represents an opportunity to strengthen Haiti’s redevelopment process in a way that gives ownership to the Haitian people. The people of Haiti will no longer settle for less. Marjorie Dumornay is the coordinator of the ‘Je Nan Je’ grassroots campaign at ActionAid Haiti. Elise Young is a senior policy analyst for Haiti advocacy at ActionAid USA. School choice meetings underway in Boston The Boston Public Schools will continue a series of community meetings to discuss improvements to the student assignment/school choice process. The first such meeting is set for Thursday, March 22, a meeting is planned for the Irving Middle School, 105 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The will be four meetings on Saturday, March 24: Shelburne Community Center, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Roxbury (Cape Verdean Creole and Somali interpreters.); East Boston High School, 9 a.m.-Noon, (Spanish interpreters); Jackson/Mann K-8 School, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 40 Armington St., Allston (Mandarin and Spanish interpreters); Harbor School, 9 a.m.Noon, Dorchester (Vietnamese interpreters). There are another four meetings scheduled for Saturday, March 31: The first is from 9 a.m.-noon, at the Mildred Avenue K-8 School in Mattapan (Haitian interpreters); others include West Roxbury Education Complex, 9 a.m.-Noon (Spanish interpreters); English High School,11 a.m.-2 p.m., 144 McBride St., Jamaica Plain (Mandarin, Somali and Spanish interpreters); and East Boston High School,11 a.m.-2 p.m., 86 White St., East Boston (Spanish interpreters). Page 6 Boston Haitian ReporteR March 2012 BostonHaitian.com Gabel delivers the real deal; T-Micky impresses in debut By Steve Desrosiers Contributing Editor Gabel “Gon Jan Pou Ye” The restless band Gabel returns with a fresh batch of songs in their latest effort for the hearts of concert goers. The album, “Gon Jan Pou Ye” is an independent release hosting 14 original compositions from one of the industry’s up and coming ensembles. Gabel is earning its keep the old fashioned way. Whatever they’ve enjoyed in terms of fame or success has been the result of relentless effort on their part. They’ve learned from their lackluster albums and gradually produced better products. They’ve spent an incredible amount of energy on the road playing before diverse audiences and effectively showcasing their adventures on industry websites. They’ve yet to lock in the hit album that will catapult them fully into the mainstream but one thing time on the road gives any commercial artist is some significant insights on what their audiences want. So far, Gabel’s slogans are more popular than their songs; can the new album change all that? If there are two words I could use to describe this album they would be: “hard hitting”. “Gon Jan Pou Ye” means business in every sense of the word, especially with numbers like, “Pa Kite…” an aggressively played tune that settles somewhere between a T-Vice and CaRiMi product but with a stronger set of synth effects, heart stopping percussion arrangements, pleasant choruses and a killer guitar groove section. The band’s two lead singers, Katalog and Flav, deliver like pros on the romantic “Don’t Cry” another number that screams for approval with its own set of captivating instrumental attack. Former Zenglen musician, Ritchie shares his magic on drums and the horn arrangements for the band’s title track, “Gon Jan Pou Ye” which definitely ranks high among the album’s many exciting moments. Gabel delivers big with “Gon Jan Pou Ye”. The album is definitely the band’s most consistent and well balanced release. The overall mix is nice and heavy , song arrangements are exciting, strong grooves abound, the singers deliver their best on every song, most choruses are memorable and the quality of the songwriting has vastly improved from that of previous albums. Gabel didn’t go light with guest appearances either, none other than the “Met beton” himself, Roberto Martino leaves his mark on the album’s first track on vocals and guitar. Other heavyweights like Shedly Abraham, Gerald Kebreau, and a host of lesser known talents combine to make this album quite a treat. If you have yet to purchase a release from this band, make it a point to start with this one. This may well be album that takes this band to the next level. T-Micky Pa Chache’m The industry’s latest sensation, T-Micky, makes his debut appearance with the album, “Pa Chache’m”. The artist’s first release is being distributed by Altino Music Productions and hosts an ambitious 14 original compositions. Life’s not fair. I too want a famous father to precede me into the music industry. I want to anchor my small feet in the path he has successfully carved as a musician and be seen as his natural heir. I’d also like him to be the leader of my home country in the prime of my life. Talk about lucky sperm club, I want to be in T-Micky’s shoes right about now. Of course, I’m kidding we all know the pressures that come from dealing with the legacy of accomplished parents. Just ask the Marley children, while there may be many sweet moments, the pressure to live up to or surpass the standard of the “Pharoah” can’t be easy. But never mind all that. Does the boy have talent? In a word- Yeah! If young Micky delivers live what he has created on his very first release he will definitely rival his father’s achievements in music. The album is filled with the energy of youth especially in songs like the groove laced “Yo Sezi” where Sandro shows off some of his father’s vocal traits and a greater portion of the elder’s theatrical charm. The song boasts an inventive melody, catchy choruses, sparse but aggressive guitars and pulsating backing rhythms. The breathtaking “Atache” presents something totally new in the pace of lyrical delivery on a Konpa composition; fed as it is with influences ranging from the work of Mika Benjamin to CaRiMi. The sensuous “Marya” showcases the artist’s flair for great melodies and a certain risk taker mentality with song arrangements. Other noteworthy tunes include hard hitting “Pa gen sa” and the romantic “Pou’n Ale” for which the artist has already released a video. T-Micky is off to a very good start with “Pa Chache’m”. Sandro Martelly has inherited his father’s wild show-biz persona, his taste for beautiful melodies and further, is steeped in modern musical trends. The sound of the album overall will remind you of the work of Dega, T-Vice and CaRiMi and not necessarily the elder’s (Sweet Micky’s) style. The quality of the songwriting is very good and the musical ideas explored here are interesting. The instrumental charms of the album are plentiful and range from the robust guitar stylings that bejewel most songs, to inventive percussion arrangements, to the catchy synth work that grabs the listener on many tunes. Of course there are weaknesses, Sandro’s vocals, while good, have to be further developed if he is to maintain a strong foothold in the industry and although I thoroughly enjoyed the rapid, wordy and melodic songwriting, too much of a good thing can take away from its novelty. T-Micky will definitely surprise you with the extent of his talent. This album is as much theater as it is music; discover this little gem today! And no I’m not saying that because his father happens to be the President and I’m itching for a cabinet appointment. I, Steve Desrosiers, approve this message! The Reporter Thanks: Patrick St. Germain of Parfumerie International for availing these albums for review. The CDs are available at 860 Morton Street, Dorchester or by calling 617-825-6151. BostonHaitian.com March 2012 Boston Haitian Reporter Page 7 Boston Haitian RepoRteR page 2 Page 8 Boston Haitian ReporteR March 2012 BostonHaitian.com Should Haitian artists truly “crossover” into American market? Ruth’sBGreen Peas Sauce S D C E (Sos Pwa Frans) adapting your music to gain more fame? Shed your over situation. skin! Change your nose, chisel in a cleft on that chin America presents us with a more potent cross-over for that special Hollywood “Je ne sais crois.” opportunity. It is the opportunity to adopt American Without fail, every year I get into a heated disAs Haitians we are heir to musical traditions that business practices and attitudes where it comes to cussion about Haitian music crossing over into the American market. I’m usually on the side of the were ushered in with the appearance of mankind cultural self promotion. Haitians should educate argument that hasfour to do further developing on earth. The amusement of pre-historic man in themselves to value their own cultural treasures and Makes to with six servings music trends that are native to Haiti. My opponents Africa runs through our rhythms, her joys and to invest in the development of those treasures (A 8 cups water are often anxious to see Haitian music adapt itself frustrations are the alphabet for our songs and all la Cuba) and promote them globally – as Americans 4 cups sweetmarket peas to increase it’s this we are willing compromise for two minutes of do. Further, in this nation of laws, we can build and to the tastes of the American 4 whole cloves popularity. They want their Haitian Ricky Martin a fabrication that has as its true ambition its own regulate our own institutions (Clubs, theatres, Halls small green onion or whole fresh scallion or 1J-Lo moment, I suppose. Perhaps Wyclef is not self-preservation? Because in the end, crossing over of Fame, Museums). Instead of applying ourselves will not be about Haiti or Haitian culture…but sales to American institutions that have a set of values cross-over success enough! 2 fresh garlic cloves your American investors. (Including racism) that are often foreign to us, we How realistic is the expectation 1 sprig thymethat Haitian music, forIt’s a simple matter of mathematics: there will should be looking to build institutions where we can once Americanized1enough, is going to cross over and sprig parsley be a viable part of the American mainstream? Let’s simply be more American palates to satiate than experience our culture on our own terms. 1 whole green hot pepper Haitian ones. The needs of the American listener flip the script for a moment. teaspoon adobo Imagine 1that Haiti is what seasoning America is now and (the consumers) have to be prioritized in a crosschicken bouillon cube impoverished1 Americans living in relatively small numbers in Haiti are hopingbutter that American Hard 1 tablespoon Rock, R&B2or Country or Hip-Hop can be table spoonmusic vegetable oil adjusted to satiate the musical of the reignblack pepper and salttastes to taste ing Haitian Konpa and Racine (Roots) mainstream. How do they adopt their drumming traditions to pot bring to a in boil cups of water and addthe everything swing a8 way that will approach effect andexcept for the salt, utter. Cook covered on medium high to they highincorporate temperature for 1 hour and 45 swing of the Konpa cymbals? Can congas intoand some of at their music orcrush some of n bring fire to low stir, thisGrunge point you can some of the peas with their to meet butter the polyrhythmic needs on as you stir.Punk Addmusic salt, pepper, and simmer for 15 minutes. Always of the average Haitian without alienating warm, goes well with white ricelistener and any poultry or fish. Bon Appetit! their core audiences? Should they incorporate more horns to sound like Septen or Tropicana or should after the of the leaders the Konpa mash the of removed peas, dilute the mashed peas ns retainthey the go tradition of style having scene, Djakout Mizik style or T-Vice style. Should with some of the cooking broth and squeeze the green peas sauces only on certain the restaurants distortion out of their guitars and mixture through a use strainer back into the cooking ou go tothey any take Haitian more chorus, etc., you see where this is headed! pot for further cooking, when you get to this step n a random Tuesday and etc., ask for Of course, can’t minimize suc- the other ingredients, the you the alsocross-over have to add reen peas sauce, youone most likely cesses of other nationalities in the American market. spices etc… That’s just too much sometimes. One You will get the typical what are Remember Shabba Ranks? Once one of the reigning day I decided that I didn’t have to follow all the t look with the following: “pwa kings of Jamaican Dancehallabove music,steps he was to lured have by green peas sauce, I wanted it a frans, lé dimanche sèlman, wap the prospect of a bigger famebut through American didn’tan have the availability to follow the whole Translation: “Green peas sauce? deal that led to some short-lived national recogni-it all in one step. The sauce so I cooked een peastion. sauce, only on Sundays, shebang, Jamaica’s Super Cat, another phenomenon of from the traditional verdid look a little different beans sauce.” the early 90s Jamaican scene tried his behind on sion but it was as delicious and satisfying. If it is a cookingthe beans andAmerican peas sauces is rodeo great fame with and someyour limited weekday taste buds are craving sos pwa olves such a cumbersome process, success. The closest Haitians haveyou come tohave the sucWomen marched to mark International Women’s Day on March 8. frans, can it. Simply cook it by following you cook you just want to “set cess of Jamaicans like Bob this Marley orrecipe, Latinos like can’t buy it, make it! easy if you ity for cholera and sexual violence. ike the famous roasting machine by Alexis Erkert Ricky Martin and J-Lo are the Fugees and Wyclef Enjoy! Women head nearly half of Haitian households o cook Haitian peas sauce, Special to the Reporter Jean ingreen particular. Pretty damn good if you ask me. Do you have a question for“As Ruithor maybe ancommemorate idea and account for most of the country’s subsistence u first haveIttofeels cookgreat the peas with activists, we this as a day when a fellow Haitian earns the for a recipe? Send an e-mailoftostruggle, Ruth at ruthsrecipes@ farmers. As traditional caretakers of children, the a day to make our voices heard until ired ingredients for a long time, American spotlight, shines a positive light on Haiti yahoo.com. elderly and the sick, the burden on women has someone pays attention and helps provide soluve to drain some of the peas (not and brings attention to its music. That feeling has to increased since the January 2010 earthquake. In tions to our problems,” said Rachelle Fondechaine oking broth. Next you have to be what Italian-Americans feel when they consider displacement camps, where nearly 500,000 still live, of Haitian Women’s Solidarity (SOFA). the life and career of Frank Sinatra. women continue to face alarming rates of rape and As she faced the Haitian parliament with a Cross-over success, however, does come at a price. gender-based violence. throng of banner-waving and singing women at All of the artists we’ve named share a commonality. A recent report from Gender Action reveals her back, continued, “Today is March 8th! It’s a They didn’t make it in America promoting nonthat post-earthquake investments in Haiti have day when women workers in New York first took Americanisms. Jamaicans are practically students of American Rhythm and Blues. If you strip Bob to the streets in to demand their rights in 1857. largely neglected issues of gender equality. This day is marked in our memories, and as women But over the years, Haitian women’s groups have Marley’s albums of Matmusic, leaving onlyfor histhe vocals, eness day, sponsored by the and games kids will available. in be Haiti, we have no support, we are left in the made important gains including legal equality for he revealswill himself an astute of the American c Ed Partnership, be held on disciple The public in invited tostreet, participate in thisdon’t free have access to school...” women within marriage and the criminalization our children Blues tradition. face it,event, Sinatra wasn’t singing om 10 a.m.-1p.m. at the Let’s Church part of the citywide adult education and of women converged in of rape. Significant legislation is currently being Hours earlier, hundreds although he grewweek, up in awhich Haitian parkingOpera! Wyclef lotJean, (corner of literacy begins May 15 with a celebrafront of the Ministry for the Status and Condition of drafted to provide increased protection from genderchurch, is first and foremosttion a soldier of Hip-Hop. d River St). at Boston City Hall Plaza at and, 11 a.m. For more dancing to the rhythm of an all-women based violence. If passed these new laws would So, toESOL, credit Premy detractors, they see this are Women students from GED information or toand volunteer, contact Brunir O.their Shackstreet band, wove way through the streets of provide a legal framework to place more severe willing to strip themselves of their cultural treaabout their experiences in Mat- bare leton at the Mayor‚s Office of Jobs Port-au-Prince & Communityto the Haitian parliament. sanctions against all forms of physical violence downtown sure for the that Haitian culture or Haitians Enjoy homemade foodillusion and refreshServices at 617 918-5244 orSupported brunir.shackleton.jcs@ by more than a dozen local human against women and could result in better training will somehow beto onenroll the American map. Now re information about how cityofboston.gov.we can rights organizations and activist groups, protest- for officials involved in sexual assault cases. all really understand Michael Jackson. Why stop at with educational materials. Books And this year, on International Women’s Day, ers’ demands ranged widely from pros- women marched in the streets to remind onlookers ecution of former of their power, singing, “Women, we are reeds. You dictator Jean-Claude can cut off our heads, you can burn our roots, but “Baby Doc” Duva- when it rains, we will grow again.” Her Alexis Erkert is the Another Haiti is Possible Colier, to better condiordinator for Other Worlds. She has worked with tions in factories, gency to UN accountabil- Haitian social movements since 2008. y teve esrosiers ontributing ditor International Women’s Day observed cy day in Mattapan Sq. on May 19 c. e nce Homomobile e than a reliable rchester unts me r Ave. MBTA 0 lates” BostonHaitian.com March 2012 Boston Haitian Reporter Page 9 Caring teachers are key to child’s success in the classroom By Yolette Ibokette Contributing Editor Thank goodness the Obama administration recently gave Massachusetts a waiver from the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. Now the state can work on creating No Human Left Behind schools (NHLB). NCLB had very noble intentions. Enacted upon the principle that “every child can learn,” the 2002 law mandated that schools be held accountable for results; that states and school districts had flexibility in how they spent federal money; that schools used scientific research to guide classroom practice; and that schools involved parents by giving them information and choices about their children’s education. One of the drawbacks of the law was that it didn’t mandate a principle of caring in classrooms. Most, if not all, teachers would adamantly argue that they do care about their students because they work hard to plan and teach what’s necessary for children to be successful. Nevertheless, many teachers are not able to convey to their students that they are cared for. In a 2005 article on the website infed, Nel Noddings addressed this principle. “It is not enough to hear the teacher’s claim to care,” said Noddings, a leading figure in the field of educational philosophy and Professor at Teachers College at Columbia University. “Does the student recognize that he or she is cared for? Is the teacher thought by the student to be a caring teacher?” One might wonder how important is teacher caring. It turns out that teacher caring is very important for all students to succeed, but it’s even more critical for low-income, culturally diverse students from diverse linguistic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. “Teacher caring is important because it encourages student commitment to school and their engagement in learning,” says Perez. “It can be a source of motivation for all students, but especially for culturally diverse students who may be at risk of failing or who may be disengaged from schooling. A lack of connection is often a consequence of feeling ‘invisible’ or anonymous in the school setting. For many culturally diverse students, this lack of belonging or personal connection in school is mirrored in their out-of-school lives, thus amplifying the importance of a personal, caring relationship with teachers in school.” A number of studies show that when students believe that their teachers care, they tend to behave better and perform better academically. “Culturally diverse students have a tendency not to separate A as a person from A as a teacher as clearly as other students,” continues Voices of Boston Perez. “For this reason, they need a relationship with their teachers that is mutually caring and respectful if they are to learn.” It’s a catch 22. Due to the demands made on teachers, it’s hard for them to find the time and energy to form trusting and caring relationships with their students. Yet, unless teachers find the time to form caring relationships, their students will not be successful. Noddings notes that when teachers have time to talk to their students, there are many rewards. “First, as we listen to our students, we gain their trust and in an ongoing relation of care and trust, it is more likely that students will accept what we try to teach,” she said. “Second, as we engage our students in dialogue, we learn about their needs, working habits, interests and talents. We gain important ideas from them about how to build our lessons and plan for their individual progress.” It’s no secret that with BRA REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS FAIRMOUNT INDIGO PLANNING INITIATIVE CORRIDOR-WIDE ADVISORY GROUP The Boston Redevelopment Authority (“BRA”) is seeking nominations from: Residents Non-profit organizations Community groups Institutional establishments Business owners / Business Organizations for a Corridor Advisory Group (“CAG”) for the Fairmount Indigo Planning Initiative. The CAG will assist the BRA, other city agencies, and a designated multi-disciplinary planning consultant team toward a corridor-wide community planning effort for the Fairmount Indigo Corridor. The Corridor-wide community planning process will begin in Spring 2012, and should take approximately two years. Meetings will typically be held in the evening at various locations in neighborhoods along the Fairmount Corridor. It is anticipated that between 20-30 members will be appointed to the CAG by Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Nomination forms are available at www.fairmountindigoplanning.org, by request via email to [email protected] or by phone (617) 918-4434 You may also submit a nomination without a form stating the name of the individual, his or her street address, email address, and any affiliation to neighborhood groups or institutions. Each submission should also include a statement as to how this person would be qualified to serve on the CAG. ALL NOMINATIONS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN 5PM ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7TH 2012 mail to: Inés Palmarín Boston Redevelopment Authority 1 City Hall Square, Room 910 Boston, MA 02201-1007 email: [email protected] or via fax: (617) 367-6087 NCLB, student progress is constantly being tested in one subject matter or another. Is it possible that teachers are required to administer a lot of tests because parents and policy makers don’t trust teachers to do their best for students? And does that lack of trust stem from a belief that many teachers don’t truly care for the kids they’re teaching? Noddings thinks so. “The present insistence on more and more testing—even for young children—is largely a product of separation and trust. When parents do not know the teachers of their children, and teachers have not formed caring relationships with their students, it is predictable that demands for ‘accountability’ would be heard. If no adult has time to spend with a child—shared time that yields dependable and supportive evaluation— then society looks for an easy and efficient way to evaluate: test, test, and test year after year.” Noddings makes a number of suggestions including restructuring the school day so that teachers and students spend more time together to develop a relation of care and trust, making classes smaller, reducing the pressure of standardized testing so that teachers and students can explore topics of mutual interest more deeply, and giving more attention to students’ interests. In other words, give teachers the time and opportunity to treat students more humanely. Page 10 Boston Haitian ReporteR March 2012 BostonHaitian.com professional directory The Reporter encourages our readers to patronize these advertisers who are investing in our community by supporting quality news coverage. Call 617-436-1222 to advertise. Getting Married? call Justice of the Peace Richard J. Browne Wedding Plans and ceremony 617-271-9043 [email protected] DrR .r onalDM. Cline Dr. onald Cline &a Dr. James I. MssoCiates erlin * Dr. Phiyen H. Le Doctors Optometry Doctors ofofOptometry 1587 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan Square JOHN C. GALLAGHER Insurance Agency HOME & AUTO INSURANCE Specializing in Homeowners and Automobile Insurance for over a half century of reliable service to the Dorchester community. New Accounts Welcome 1471 Dorchester Ave. at Fields Corner MBTA 617-298-6998 Phone: 265-8600 “We Get Your Plates” BOSTON HAITIAN REPORTER www.visionspecialistsinc.com Online at BostonHaitian.com Call to advertise: 617-436-1222 Join our directory: Call 617-436-1222 BostonHaitian.com March 2012 Boston Haitian Reporter Dr. Michele David joins Harvard Vanguard By Manolia Charlotin Editor Dr. Michele David, an acclaimed clinician, community health educator and public health practitioner, joins the Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates – serving in their internal medicine department in Cambridge. Harvard Vanguard is a nonprofit medical services group that provides care to almost 500,000 patients at more than 21 offices across eastern Massachusetts. Dr. David received her medical degree from the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Illinois and an MPH from the Harvard University School of Public Health. Prior to joining Harvard Vanguard, Dr. David was the internal medicine department medical director at Medical Legal Partnership in Boston. She also worked at the National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health at Boston University as director of the Community Health Programs. She is a Mattapan resident who currently serves as board chair for Youth and Family Enrichment Services Inc (YOFES) – a Hyde Park-based community organization that addresses health disparities. In 2007, Dr. David was appointed to Governor Deval Patrick’s Public Health Council. She has received numerous awards, including the 2010 William A. Hinton Award given to her by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health in recognition of her activism, commitment to public health and tireless work to educate others on health inequities. The Haitian community makes up a significant number of clients that utilize health services at Harvard Vanguard’s Cambridge clinic. This was a major draw, says Dr. David. “One of the reasons I was happy to be at this practice, I really wanted to continue serving a diverse, multicultural population…and to continue providing quality care to the Haitian community,” said Dr. David. “Harvard Vanguard is a premier healthcare institution, very supportive, well-respected for clinical work [and I] wanted a place that would support a clinician 100 percent.” “I was at Boston Medical Center for a while, focusing on research. So I wanted to transition from research to clinical care and community care.” Dr. David’s specialty care and research was in area of breast and cervical health for women, particularly from low-income, immigrant communities. Her focus was on reducing health disparities in the state, and she spearheaded many projects to increase access to screenings and quality culturally sensitive health care. “I had a specialty clinic at Boston Medical Center for 9 years,” said Dr. David. “The mortality rate of women of color with breast cancer is significantly higher. The preventative aspect of women’s health is important to me. I want to create awareness in the community around this pressing issue” She hopes to help restructure that practice at Harvard Vanguard and looks forward to more time with her patients in this new role. “I am dedicated to seeing patients, have more clinical hours, so that they can have more access to me,” says Dr. David. Her message for Womens History Month is simple. “Women tend to be the caretaker of the house, do a lot for others. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. When you’re in an airplane, they tell you to put on your oxygen mast first, before you help someone put on theirs. It’s the same with healthcare. It’s important for women and mothers to take care of their health.” Dr. David holds clinical hours from 10a.m.5:30p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Harvard Vanguard’s Cambridge practice, located at 1611 Cambridge Street. For more information call 617-661-5500 or visit harvardvanguard.org. KOMONNWÈLT MASSACHUSETTS DEPATMAN TRANSPÒ MASSACHUSETTS – DIVIZYON TRAFIK SOU GRANWOUT ANONS POU YON ODISYYON PIBLIK POU ENFÒMASYON Nimewo Dosye 605511 MassDot ap òganize yon reyinyon piblik pou enfòmasyon, kote yo pral pale sou Etid Planifikasyon yo pwopoze pou ranplase pwojè Pon Monsignor Casey a nan Jamaica Plain, nan Massachusetts. KI KOTE: KILÈ: English High School Auditorium 144 McBride Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Jedi 29 mas 2012, depi 6:00 pm rive 8:00 pm Odisyon Piblik pou Enfòmasyon REZON: Rezon reyinyon sa a, se pou prezante modèl altènativ yo chwazi pou ranplase Pon Casey ki la kounye a, ki pral rive nan 25% etap konsepsyon li, ansanm ak plan yo prevwa pou patisipasyon piblik la ak pou kontinye devlope lide pou pwojè a. Seleksyon altènativ sa a, se rezilta yon etid planifikasyon avanse yo fè pandan lane ki fenk pase a, nan yon travay kolaboratif ant MassDOT, DCR, Vil Boston, MBTA , ak yon Gwoup Koseye pou Travay piblik yo te chwazi pou sa. PWOPOZISYON: Etap yo fini nan pwojè a, se planifikasyon ak etid pou wè ki altènativ yo vle chwazi pou ranplase pon ki la kounye a, pou rive òganize mobilite miltimodal ak reponn plizyè bezwen vital moun nan zòn lan genyen. Etap pou etidye planifikasyon an pral genyen ladan l anpil efò pou kontakte piblik lan toupatou pou konnen kisa moun vle, epi li pral etidye solisyon estriktirèl ak materyo adapte. Yo pral pouse altènativ ki rekòmande a nan etap konsepsyon an, pou rive nan konstriksyon, dapre kalandriye Pwogram Akselere pou Pon nan Komonnwèlt la. Opinyon MassDOT pral resevwa apre dat anons sa a, jiska senk (5) jou anvan dat odisyon an, pral afiche pou piblik la wè oubyen kopye yo, nan lè ak nan dat ki ekri pi wo la a. Yo pral afiche plan yo pou moun wè trant minit anvan odisyon an koumanse, epi pral gen yon enjennyè ki la pou reponn kesyon sou pwojè a. Pral gen yon fèy enfòmasyon sou pwojè a k ap afiche nan sit MassDot ki nan adrès pi ba la a. Si yon moun pito voye yon opinyon ekri, oswa soumèt lòt kalite dokiman, pase pou li ta fè kòmantè oral nan Odisyon Piblik pou Enfòmasyon an, oswa si moun lan vle voye yon papye anplis kòmantè oral li pral fè sou sa yo pwopoze a, li dwe voye yo nan adrès sa a: Thomas F. Broderick, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, ATTN: (Paul King, Project File No. 605511). Yo pral aksepte opinyon ekri oswa dokiman sa yo tou nan odisyon an. Opinyon ekri ak dokiman yo voye pa lapòs pou retranskri nan dosye Odisyon Piblik la dwe gen yon so lapòs sou yo, pa pi ta pase dis (10) jou davans, anvan Odisyon Piblik sa a. Si w gen kesyon sou pwojè a, ou mèt voye yo nan adrès elektwonik [email protected]. Kote sa a gen enstalasyon pou moun ki andikape kapab antre. MassDOT fè aranjman rezonnab, epi li bay asistans pou tradiksyon gratis si yon moun mande sa (tankou entèprèt nan Lang ki pale ak Siy nan Etazini, ak nan lòt lang pase angle, oswa soutit ouvri oubyen fèmen pou videyo, aparèy pou ede moun koute, ak fòma altènatif tankou anrejisreman odyo, Bray, ak tèks an gwo lèt), oubyen lòt altènativ ankò, si genyen yo ka jwenn. Pou mande aranjman oswa asistans pou tradiksyon, ou mèt kontakte Direktè pou Dwa Sivil MassDOT la nan nimewo telefòn (617) 973-7171, oswa TTD/TTY (617) 973-7715 pou moun ki pa tande byen, oswa (617) 973-7311 nan faks, oswa nan adrès elektwonnik [email protected]. Ou dwe fè demann lan pi bonnè ou kapab anvan reyinyon an; si w ap mande sèvis ki pi difisil pou jwenn yo, tankou entèprèt ki pale ak siy, oswa CART, oswa tradiktè ak entèprèt, ou dwe fè demann lan omwen 10 jou ouvrab anvan dat reyinyon an. Si pral gen move tan, ap gen yon anons pou anile odisyon an k ap afiche sou Entènèt nan adrès http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/ FRANCIS A. DEPAOLA, P.E. THOMAS F. BRODERICK, P.E. ADMINISTRATÈ DIVIZYON TRAFIK SOU GRANWOUT ENJENNYÈ AN CHÈF POU PWOJÈ A Boston, Massachusetts Page 11 Page 12 EDitor’s Note Boston Haitian ReporteR The Boston Haitian Reporter is pleased to present the second installment of Tents Beyond Tents, the work of Haitian cartoonists and journalists. Their work has been brought to our attention through a groundbreaking project led by an international organization called the Cartoon Movement. We encourage our readers to learn more about the background of Cartoon Movement and their Haiti project by going to their website, CartoonMovement.com. You can also view more work from very talented Haitian artists, cartoonists and journalists who have teamed with Cartoon Movement in recent months. There is also a video that documents the month that the Cartoon Movement’s editorial team spent in Haiti last July. On January 12, 2012, the second anniversary of the earthquake, Cartoon Movement published the first chapter of the 75page comics journalism project focused on life in Haiti— the first section of which is printed here in the Reporter. Written by Port-auPrince reporter Pharés Jerome, and illustrated by Chevelin Pierre, Tents Beyond Tents takes us down to the Champ de Mars in front of the crumbled presidential palace to the squalid conditions in tent camps on the outskirts of town. Jerome tells us of the forced evictions by state authorities and the modest progress that is finally allowing some families to relocate. Cartoon Movement will be publishing installments throughout 2012 written by various Haitian journalists, focusing on such issues as Haitian politics, the role of NGOs, and what exactly happened with all the relief money that came flooding in after the earthquake. The entire series will be drawn by perhaps the most talented comic artist working in Haiti today, Chevelin Pierre. “This is an opportunity to express my frustrations, and those of my countrymen, with the recovery after January 12 through my drawings,” says Pierre. “And comics journalism lends itself perfectly to the subject.” The Boston Haitian Reporter will publish more panels over the coming months. “We are very excited to team with Cartoon Movement to bring our readers a new Haitian perspective on life in the post Jan.12 world,” said Managing Editor Bill Forry. “This is exceptionally good work, done by Haitians living and working in Haiti. We are pleased to bring them to an American audience for the first time in a U.S. publication.” March 2012 BostonHaitian.com