Bonswa tout moun! Welcome to the latest edition of Woy Magazine’s weekly newsletter, providing you with must-know news and commentary on Haiti and our Diaspora.
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Haitian Representation in U.S. Media
Continuing with this quarter’s theme of “Heritage, Remembrance and Diaspora,” Woy Magazine published a new op-ed today from Martine Jean and Ella Turenne: “Perspectives on Haitian Representation in US Film and Television.” In it the duo takes an in-depth look at the obstacles and stereotypes which often limit the authentic and diverse portrayals of Haitians and Haitian-Americans many would like to see in U.S. media:
Another way in which Haitians are presented as monolithic people involves the nuances in dialect. Often, the inclusion of a Haitian character lacks specificity, resulting in a generic Haitian accent. Sure the character is Haitian but from what part of Haiti? Why does that matter? Simply put, there is no one way to be Haitian.
Matisan
Matisan continues to experience an incredible man-made humanitarian crisis as violence from gangs force families out of their homes. Last Friday, Le Réseau national de défense des droits humains (Rnddh) called out the government’s lack of response to the atrocities.
« Ce qui se passe à Martissant et les zones environnantes représente une forme de banalisation de la vie des citoyennes et citoyens », déplore le Rnddh, tout en présentant ses sympathies, non seulement aux familles des personnes tuées et blessées, mais aussi à toutes celles et à tous ceux qui sont pris en otage par les bandits, dans ces zones. (Source: AlterPresse)
While the government finally broke its silence days after the violence began, they have offered little hope and direction in bringing it all to an end. Fondasyon Je Klere also called out the government, implicating them in the crisis:
« Les Haïtiennes et Haïtiens deviennent des personnes réfugiées dans leurs propres pays. L’État ne saurait continuer à livrer la population aux violences des gangs armés, alors qu’il gaspille de l’argent dans un projet de référendum en dehors de la Constitution et de la loi ». (Source: AlterPresse)
Forced Removals
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released a new report on June 8 tracking and analyzing the disruption and displacement currently taking place in Matisan. The report estimates that at least 260,000 people have been affected with several thousand having fled their homes seeking shelter where they can. The report also notes, “the Carrefour Sports Centre shelters the largest displaced community with over 1,000 people.” The Office also calls for immediate aid to be provided to the people, and hopes to update the report on June 11.
Nou Pap Dòmi announced a mutual aid drive yesterday to support the victims impacted by the violence. They’ll be collecting clothing, food and other needed items to provide much-needed assistance:
COVID Update
We should note that this massive displacement of people is taking place during the country’s most significant COVID-19 spike since the pandemic started. According to Haiti Loop, there have been nearly 800 cases and more than 20 deaths in June alone:
Malgré l’état d’urgence sanitaire déclaré (à deux reprises) par le gouvernement haïtien qui a également pris des mesures au niveau des écoles, dont l’interdiction des journées récréatives et de graduation, pour freiner la propagation du virus, rien n’indique que la Covid-19 est en perte de vitesse. Au contraire.
The Western Department of the country continues to be the hotbed of the pandemic having experienced 571 new infections and 19 deaths so far this month.
Additionally, local group Zanmi Timoun is calling on the government to do more to protect the lives and wellbeing of children during this precarious time.
Face à la recrudescence de la Covid-19 avec les deux nouvelles variantes, la Fondation « Zanmi Timoun » dit craindre le pire si de nouvelles dispositions ne sont pas prises en vue de protéger la population et les enfants en particulier.
« Les immondices jonchent les cours des écoles, les blocs sanitaires sont défectueux, ce qui a des effets néfastes sur la santé des élèves et des enseignants. Sur les cours, dans les salles de classe ou même dans les rues. En plus, les écoliers ne portent pas de masques et la distanciation physique n’est pas respectée », tel est le tableau peint par la Fondation. (Source: Vant Bèf Info)
The expected shipments of the AstraZeneca vaccine that were expected in May have been delayed as the government has raised “concern over possible clotting as a side effect and a lack of infrastructure to keep the vaccines properly refrigerated.” However, “PAHO said it would help Haiti’s Health Ministry solve those problems and is prioritizing vaccinating health workers.” (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Sacked Dreams
The referendum that was slated for this month has officially been postponed. Despite Jovenel Moïse’s attempts to go through with the illegal power-grab in the face of growing opposition, the electoral council set up by his defacto government put out a statement on Monday announcing the decision.
Two days later, the Biden Administration finally came out in opposition to the ballot initiative, as well:
Le secrétaire d’Etat américain Antony Blinken affirme que l’administration Biden « s’oppose » au référendum constitutionnel du président Jovenel Moïse et indique qu’il y a une possibilité et une opportunité, si les étapes appropriées sont respectées, d'avoir des élections, lors d’une audition sur le budget 2022 du Département d’État devant la commission Affaires étrangères du Congrès, le 7 juin 2021. (Source: Le Nouvelliste)
This is a departure from positions taken by both the Biden and former Trump Administrations, who both pushed for elections to be held as soon as possible. In fact, Mike Pompeo toured the Caribbean and Latin America before Donald Trump lost the November 2020 elections and doubled down on this:
It is “critical” that Haiti hold a delayed vote and strengthen the rule of law and human rights, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told President Jovenel Moise on Sunday at a meeting after more than six months of rule by decree in the Caribbean nation. (Source: Reuters)
In the announcement of their new stance, Anthony Blinken also reaffirmed the United States’ support of the National Haitian Police Force (PNH):
« Entre-temps, nous donnons une assistance à la police pour qu’elle fasse son travail avec plus d’efficience en faisant face à l’insécurité profondément préoccupante qu’il y a en Haïti », a-t-il fait savoir devant cette commission dirigée par Gregory Meeks, l’un des plus virulents détracteurs de Jovenel Moïse au Congrès des États-Unis. (Source: Le Nouvelliste)
Relatedly, the U.S. has also dealt a devastating blow to potential TPS recipients.
A unanimous Supreme Court ruled Monday that thousands of people living in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons are ineligible to apply to become permanent residents.
Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court that federal immigration law prohibits people who entered the country illegally and now have Temporary Protected Status from seeking “green cards” to remain in the country permanently. (Source: Associated Press)
This comes just two weeks after the Biden Administration announced that it would allow Haitian immigrants to apply for TPS designations.
OAS in Haiti
As expected, a mission from the Organization of American States (OAS) took place this week in Haiti. The Jovenel regime previously extended an invitation to the regional forum to discuss the current state of affairs in the country.
However, few people outside the Moïse cluster welcomed the mission. In a statement to AlterPresse, political party Fwon patriyotik popilè condemned the trip and held the OAS accountable for much of the country’s current woes:
Fwon patriyotik popilè mande tout pati politik yo voye jete envitasyon Oea, pou al patisipe nan swadizan chita pale, pou chèchè jwenn yon solisyon nan kriz la.
Kouman yon enstitisyon malad jouk nan mwèl, tankou Oea, ka ede Ayiti soti nan kriz malouk sa a, kote li se youn nan responsab ki lakoz 2 dènye eleksyon magouy fèt nan peyi a?
Se kesyon sa a Fwon patriyotik popilè poze, detan l fè sonje Oea mele nan plizyè eskandal.
Other groups, in turn, held protests in front of the OAS building in Haiti to denounce the visit:
Detan li derefize envitasyon Oea, pou al patisipe nan chita pale, pou chèche jwenn yon solisyon nan kriz la, òganizasyon politik Inisyativ patriyòt maryen (Ipam) envite, sou bò pa l, tout gwoup òganize, nan peyi a, vin pote kole ak li nan plante pikèt, madi 8 jen 2021 an, douvan biwo Oea, nan Petyonvil, kont misyon li voye nan peyi a.
Ipam kritike misyon sa a, ki gen pou objektif detounen atansyon moun sou vrè poblèm yo.
Scorched Earth
In his new memoir, former United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon laments that the institution’s reputation was “forever destroyed” by the cholera epidemic:
Ban Ki-moon, the South Korean statesman who was the United Nations secretary general from 2007 to 2016, also asserted in his book that the organization should have done far more to arrest the cholera scourge, which at least three investigations linked to poor sanitation by U.N. peacekeepers there.
“Our delayed and insufficient early response had made the tragedy worse,” Mr. Ban wrote. (Source: New York Times)
Yet, despite this reflection Ban refuses to take full responsibility for the situation going so far as attacking the victims:
And Mr. Ban was similarly critical of aggrieved cholera victims and their lawyers who unsuccessfully sued the United Nations for compensation in the American court system. He described it as a fraudulent extortion attempt and said it could have undercut U.N. work everywhere if it had prevailed.
The cholera pandemic affected nearly 10 percent of the Haitian population killing about 10,000 people. There are studies that note that the death toll may actually be three to 10 times higher.
Ogou
Before we leave you to enjoy your weekend, be sure to take a minute to enjoy Lakou Mizik and Joseph Ray’s new music video for “Ogou (Pran Ka Mwen)”. See you next week!
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