Ile-a-Vache, Haiti by Patrick Lucien, from the Facebook Group: Support Tourism in Haiti

Angeline: What is your relationship to Haiti? How many times have you visited?
Marie: I was born in Haiti in 1984 and moved to the United States with my parents and my older sister in 1989 at the age of 5. I left behind 3 brothers because of Visa Issues. I’ve only visited once–for one month–since I left.

A: What was it like the last time you visited? What were your impressions?
M: I was last in Haiti in 2000. Other members of my family visit Haiti frequently. For some reason I was always too busy and involved in other projects to visit. I regret that now. When I stepped off the plane in 2000, I experienced a culture shock. How could I experience a culture shock when it was my own culture? Everything is done differently in Haiti. The richness of tropical colors, the comforting smell of the roadside food, and the cacophony of scooters roaring, vendors yelling, people laughing or arguing in Port-Au-Prince all contribute to a startling experience. When you leave the airport the country and the people waste no time on introductions. You are thrown into the thick of it. I remember how big my sixteen year-old eyes grew, upon passing numerous shanty towns on the way to my brothers’ house. I grew up in the suburbs of New York City. Until then, this degree of poverty was never tangible to me. Only described.

A: What do you know about Voodoo?
M: I didn’t grow up with much knowledge of Voodoo. My family is Catholic. 80% of the Haitian population is Catholic. Some practice Voodoo along with Catholicism. It was something that was frowned upon in my immediate and extended family. I don’t view it negatively but I think it is misunderstood. This misunderstanding of Voodoo as “black magic” has made Haitian Diaspora very uncomfortable discussing it. It is unfortunate that a country with such a diverse wealth of history, art and culture would be minimized to “The Voodoo Country.” We want people to shift their focus from Voodoo dolls and chicken blood to other national treasures and pastimes.

A: What do you love most about Haiti? What do you wish could change about Haiti?
M: I think Haiti’s strengths are its people. We are strong, passionate, and not afraid to speak our mind (we are not a sugar coating people). These values are reflected in the traditional Haitian arts, like the musics Konpa, Rara, and Mizik rasin, as well as the visual arts and crafts of woodworking, painting and sculpture. Chicagoans can see some of this work in their own city at Nicole Gallery, a Haitian and Diaspora gallery, who are having a benefit this weekend for Centre D’Art de Port-Au-Prince, where its founder began her career as a curator and businesswoman. …I wish there was less corruption in Haiti. I don’t know how deep it goes because I don’t live there but I suspect those who need the help the most are often the last to reap the benefits of prosperity. I think this disaster has highlighted this problem for the whole world to see.

A: Do you feel your friends and coworkers–average Americans–have a good understanding of Haiti?
M: I think most people know what they have heard or read in the news. Sometimes its the Hollywood Voodoo version and other times its the embittered starving country version.

A: How do you feel about the way the American media has portrayed Haiti in recent years?
M: I don’t think Haiti has been misrepresented on the whole. I do think that the whole story has not been told. There are great things happening in Haiti that are not shown. Let’s show the progress that has been made. Stability in the government, roads being built, violence diminished. I was watching all the news networks during the first days of this disaster–like the rest of the world–and noticed a key moment. One of the anchors asked the field reporter if there was concern about violence “since Haiti was one of the most violent nations in the area.” The field reporter corrected the anchor stating that Haiti has a lower rate of violence compared to the rest of the Caribbean. This is a common misconception. I’m not saying it’s the safest place in the world but it certainty does not merit consistent reference as Among The Most Dangerous. That being said, I would still contact the US Embassy before going to know all the potential risks.

A: Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. How can Americans and Haitians work together to combat poverty and establish sustainable economic practice?
M: I think that the Haitian government needs to take a more active role in fostering sustainable farming because the land has been ravaged by slash and burn agriculture. This might already be a focus, but if so it needs to develop into a much larger program. Americans and others in the world should consider investing in Haitian business. A lot of business left Haiti a long time ago… We need renewed interest in Tourism. It’s a beautiful country with lots to offer. I know that there are various Haitian government entities pushing for more tourism to our side of the island. We need to rebrand the country.

A: Besides donating money, what are some creative ways we can help support our neighbors in Haiti?
M: I suggest that people who are interested do some research about the country. I really think knowledge is the first step.

Marie (middle, third from right) and her family in 2008

A: Last week I heard that up to hundreds of Haitian orphans will be arriving by plane to Chicago (via the Department of Child Welfare) in the coming weeks and are in need of French-speaking foster caretakers. What would you say to a Chicagoan who qualifies but is hesitant to invite a stranger and foreigner into their home, in order to urge them to reconsider?
M: These children need a smiling face. They have been through unimaginable trauma and just need someone to tell them that the world is not going to come crashing down again. Nothing special, just human kindness. Help if you can. Kindness knows no geographic boundaries or language barriers.

Recommended websites: Heritage Konpa, Facebook Group: Support Tourism in Haiti, Nicole Gallery

Marie Casimir is a Haitian-American writer and performer who lives in Chicago and was raised in New York State. She is currently the Communications Associate at Links Hall where she promotes the work of a diverse group of independent performing artists. Marie holds a B.A. in Journalism from Ithaca College, with a minor in Art History. Marie is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Non-Profit Management at North Park University. She has family in Haiti who were fortunate to have survived the Earthquake. They are well and counting their blessings.