A Response from: Joseph Alfred

There is a life in Haiti beside politic. Why go to Haiti? Haiti is the cornerstone of civilization. Yes my friends, in Haiti you see the meeting of three continents: Europe, Africa and America. You have to see for yourself this land of contrasts. Haiti does not have too many friends around the globe. Its birth had put in jeopardy the slavery system in which many countries used to rely on for free or cheap labor. Its birth had divided America that had wanted to be a new Europe in this continent. No wonder why the first black nation was not invited in the first conference of this continent despite helping many countries to get their freedom.

Yes my friends, my brothers and sisters had fought for the freedom of the United States of America, we had fought for the freedom of various countries in Latin America. Go to Savannah, GA: without the help of our ancestors, the British could have captured the U.S. troops. Furthermore, we abolished slavery into the Dominican Republic. Go to Caracas, Venezuela and try to talk about Haiti in a negative way in various colleges, with the average citizen, they will defend Haiti fiercely, so far it is the only country I know that respects us for helping them getting their freedom. It is unfortunate Venezuela had not become a great economic power, but I can tell you Haitians are well received in Venezuela.

Why go to Haiti? You need to know a little about our history, the second independent country in the western hemisphere after the United States and the first Black Republic in the world. The land of Toussaint Louverture “le premier des noirs” (the first of the blacks) who had used his position to help free his brothers and sisters from the worst kind of slavery, which had ever existed in the world. We had great people, my friends like Charlemagne Peralte who had fought fiercely the first U.S. occupation in Haiti and Daniel Fignolé who had accepted the presidency to prevent a U.S. invasion.

Why go to Haiti? You should go yourself and explore the land of the artists, the land of creativity, the land of hope, the land of contrasts with its voluptuous mountains, its deserted valleys and its endless sea.

Why go to Haiti? Go! You will see for yourself that Haitian people stick together, and get along with each other. This had explained the survival of this country despite its many problems. Before going to Haiti, go to Miami, New York, Montreal, Bahamas, France, Guadeloupe and now Atlanta, you will see lot of workers and professionals who send millions every month to help their relatives back home. To understand Haiti, ask yourself a question: why Haitian folks who are working over here are sending almost all their paychecks back home to help relatives?

Today the Haiti situation is a little “hecky”, but this happens to many people in the world in various time, the French Revolution, the Decadence era, the civil war in the U.S., the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Irish conflict, the problem between blacks and whites in the U.S., will it ever be resolved? My friends, Haiti will comeback and rise again; do not underestimate the will and the determination of the Haitian People, it would be a grave mistake to do so. Remember May 18, 1803, Nov 18, 1803, and January 1, 1804, they will repeat again. I hope you don't ask the same question Nicodeme had asked Jesus, what do you mean by “If we are not born again, we won't see God's Kingdom”!

My friends, a new Haiti is coming, at my age I may not be able to see it, those of you who are twice or twice and half of my age may not see it either, but one thing remains certain there is great hope ahead.

Contrary to what people say, there are resources in Haiti, they are within the land itself, its location, its mountain, its sea, its rivers, its small islands, its shape, its underground. My friends, the country has not used its resources, La Tortue one day will be a great Tourist Attraction, La Gonave will become an Amazing Island, Ile-à-Vache will become an attractive place and La Navase will become a Historic Place for the new martyrs of the new Haiti.

Why go to Haiti ? You will visit the City of Poets: Jeremie; the city of Hope: the Valley of Jacmel; the mysterious regions: Cap-Haitien to Milot where you will visit the eighth wonder in the world: the Citadelle; the city of rice: l'Estere, and a foreign city: Ouanaminthe which can give you an idea of the new Haiti, and where open-minded people with creativity reside.

Why go to Haiti? Many had portrayed Haiti negatively even the dissenting sons and daughters of this country, but my friends Haiti is not Port-au-Prince. Imagine the crime rate in many countries compared to Haiti. Visiting only Washington, DC, you won't say that you have visited the United States. As a real tourist, you will visit Disney world, Universal Studio, Stone Mountain Park, and many zoos (..) the same thing applies to Haiti. Go to the CITADELLE, visit Pestel, Fort-Liberte, Ouanaminthe, Hinche, Cayes, Gonaives, Jeremie, La Tortue, and Mirebalais (I don't even mention Port-au-Prince...)

Why go to Haiti? Just go and see for yourselves. You will see people who will open their home for you, because our hospitality is very unique. This is why many who had visited Haiti felt in love with the country. Since I'm a Haitian native you might think that I'm biased, I invite you to approach anyone who had visited Haiti (except the detractors of the nation), they will tell you that the country is poor, but Haiti is an amazing place to visit. How these people survive the worst problems of human kind? Why so many who had visited Haiti open their heart to assist Haitian kids? Why do you see many US citizens, Canadian citizens and others travel to Haiti and stay forever? Why many foreigners are learning the Creole language just to go and assist our brothers and sisters? Why?

Why go to Haiti? Why go to Israel? Why go to the United States? Why go to Canada, Bahamas or Jamaica? My friends, visiting more countries will expend your knowledge, will make you more sensitive toward other people and make you aware that the world is not what you see in your environment.

Joseph Alfred, Educator

Last update 11/11/13

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