On October 29 and 30, the Latin American and Caribbean Research Center at FIU (Florida International University) organized two days of study and reflection on Haiti around the central theme: Understand the Issues, Challenging the Narratives. This event brought together, among other panelists, writers, historians, researchers, and specialists on Haiti living in Haiti, the United States, and many other personalities. The audience was largely composed of professors and students from this university and other entities. The discussions, conducted in English and Haitian Creole, were organized into different sessions. One of the sessions was titled: “Public Policy and the State of Affairs in Haiti and the United States.” It was co-chaired by Ambassador Frank O. Mora, PhD, professor of political science and international relations at FIU, and Dr. Watson Denis, historian and professor of Haitian social thought at the State University of Haiti.
To kick off the debate, Professor Denis delivered the following remarks:
“Dear friends, dear colleagues from Haiti, the United States, and beyond:
The Republic of Haiti, beloved Haiti, is currently going through difficult times. Recently, it is often repeated: this is the first time in the history of this country that the socio-political situation is so dramatic.
There is some truth to this opinion. Indeed, structural elements, functioning as a process of decay from within, have led the country to this unprecedented phenomenon. In other words, the roots of such deep-seated issues have been established for ages. I even believe that the Haitian state, born from the ashes of the triumphant revolution of 1804, has evolved, fostering a system of depravity without the option of constituting a nation for the benefit of all members of the community. As a result, there are citizens who bear this status, who exist despite themselves, in complete social exclusion, outside the benefits of the Republic. Consequently, at the moment of acting or reacting to the fate drawn for them, the question of citizenship is unknown to them or trampled upon.
What is making news today when talking about Haiti, the phenomenon of armed gangs, which is shaking Haitian society to its core, affecting all sectors, generally in some way or another, has a history and a complex story to unravel; it is embedded in the deep socio-economic structures of the country. Political banditry, deliberately exploited by some, is a corollary of this sociological phenomenon that spreads terror and has endured for far too long.
In order to understand the tumultuous situation at present, particularly the phenomenon of “bandits” or heavily armed groups that frequently make headlines, it is necessary to analyze the relations of the Haitian state with historically excluded social groups around the political consensus table and to examine the operational modes of some of them, to sometimes have the right to be heard.
A conference like the one that brings us together today is an occasion offered, outside of Haiti, to discuss and reflect on the past, present, and destiny of Haiti. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the evolution of Haiti, in some of its components, that leads to this dramatic phenomenon of “insecurity” which, after all, further impoverishes the country.
It is readily admitted that Haiti, since its foundation, has always had a bad press. Therefore, there are discourses constructed around the country that are repeated ad nauseam. Writers, journalists, travelers, and even some researchers sometimes have a field day using stereotypes or employing clichés. It is imperative to question some of these political discourses propagated about Haiti, which often distort socio-cultural realities!
I believe that this debate, which is unfolding within this panel, will be enriching in many ways. The carefully selected panelists will speak freely during their presentations. May everyone derive the maximum possible benefit during the presentations and throughout the interactive debate!
The interventions of the five members of the panel, consisting of an economist, a sociologist, two human rights representatives (one living in Haiti and the other elsewhere), and a recognized personality on relations between Haiti and the United States, took place as planned. Afterwards, participants made comments and asked questions. Overall, the exchanges were fruitful.
