|
 Let’s
introduce you to this website by considering an exercise in word
association. Say “Haiti” to an average citizen of the
United States and what response will it bring? What about you -
what is your response?
It is highly doubtful that the word used in the response will be
glowing. It is also doubtful that the response will touch on any
of the many important historical links between these two neighboring
countries.
It is equally doubtful that the response will relate to the important
contributions to the well being of the United States that Haiti
has made in the past. And, it is doubtful that the response will
refer to the positive contributions Haiti is making today, largely
through the presence of a considerable and growing body of talented
and hard-working individuals of Haitian origin who now live in the
United States, referred to often as ‘the Diaspora.”
This site
is brought to you by
Trinity College Haiti Program
Washington, DC
Dr. Bob Maguire, Director
Jerome Lebleu, Coordinator
The Trinity College Haiti Program provides information and
analysis on Haitian political, economic and social issues,
and raises awareness about the bicentennial of Haiti’s
independence and about Haitian-Americans in the U.S.
CLICK
HERE
to visit the Haiti Program’s website for publications
and more information. |
These doubts have been confirmed by experience! Over more than
two decades, I have tried out this exercise among a diversity of
Americans ranging from high school and college students, members
of civic associations, government officials and diplomats in training,
to neighbors and members of my own family.
Sadly, the usual responses are cloaked by a certain darkness. This
darkness has deep roots. Historically, Haiti has been portrayed
within the United States as a kind of pariah country that either
threatens the well being of the US or is unable to manage itself.
The dark feeling is reinforced today by portrayals of Haiti that
tend to follow similar themes.
But the responses - and your response - to a Haiti word association
exercise do not have to be cloaked in darkness. The response can
be positive and bright, too. Positive and bright responses, however,
will come only if some of the darkness that cloaks our knowledge
of Haiti is peeled away and we learn more about the place and its
people.
Haiti is about to reach the bicentennial of its independence. The
year 2004 will mark 200 years of Haitian independence. Only one
other nation in the Western Hemisphere - the United States - has
reached this mark. What better time, then, to begin to peel away
some of the darkness that enshrouds our knowledge of the links between
Haiti and the United States, and how Haiti - and Haitians - have
contributed, and continue to contribute, to the well-being of the
United States.
- Dr. Bob Maguire
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