The
Wild Terrain
I consider a wild
terrain to be an open space, not cultivated, not managed in any manner, and is
generally left to the mercy of the savage nature. I like to refer to it more
accurately in the Haitian Creole term Savann. You may look at it as a
space where wild animals run. During the early history of the United States,
the settlers found the western portion of the land volatile, violent and
dangerous. Individuals who ventured there were subjected to all types of
insecurity: a violent nature, bad weather, wild animals, rough terrains,
unfriendly Native Americans, and more. And, there were no laws, and
unscrupulous people would conduct their own justices and act according to the
level of their greeds. It was referred to as the “wild-wild-west.”
I refer to Haiti as a ‘wild
terrain’ because that’s the type of mentality that I have considered
materialized out of the revolution for Independence. The nation has experienced
a perpetual nature of instability and insecurity similar to that of the Savann.
Leaders have killed each other; the people are divided; the elite classes have
continued to exploit mercilessly, with external mercenary supports; the mass has maintained its
violent tendency; and the nation has deteriorated to naught. At the moment, the
nation is at the bottom of the pit. It has been declared a “failed state.” A
contingent of the United Nations, (MINUSTAH), is on the ground to keep the
people from slaughtering each other, and to attempt to create some stability.
So far, the verdict
remains gloomy. The international political world has called on Haitian leaders
themselves to lead the way to start healing their internal wounds and to take
strategies for national prosperity. At this moment, there appears to be no real
effort.
The two major political
forces in the country are literally in the throats of each other. Whichever first
severed the neck of the other would presumably be the winner. It is the same old
ancient politics. Toussaint is betrayed; Dessalines is murdered; Christophe is
pressured to suicide; Petion is pushed into his deathbed. And, it had remained
a tradition of betrayal and deceit. Let the most wicked man win. You may call
that “Machiavellian” or, “survival of the fittest.” Which, generally is
translated to bestial. It is to say, the Haitian man has not matured to
societal civilization yet. We remain in the wild, in the Savann, where no man is
concerned about the collectivity of the whole, but living as if tomorrow would
take care of itself.
The Wild Must Be Tamed
If the wild is not
dominated, there is no society. As of the moment, Haiti is considered a “failed
state.” That means the Haitian man has not been capable to build a civilized
society. In other word, the environment remains a wild-wild-west, where, the
worst is prone to happen. That is why the United Nations are on the ground, to
help the Haitian turns away from his wild destructive mentality. Some people
may not agree with the U.N., but it is not for no reason that Haiti has also been
called the “poorest nation” in the Western world.
A house divided in itself cannot stand. The fact is. The Haitians must leave the
mentality of the wild and come together as members of a group, a community, a
nation, a society, or whatever could glue this nation. This means that the
Haitians have to understand that there is a group interest to fulfill, for the
members to be happy and not destroying the environment. The first major step is
the Unity of the People. Haitians must come together and start nation building.
There should no longer be a matter of “I, I, I, I”; it should be WE, US, WE, US.
We are a nation. And, the interest of the nation should be preeminent. Our
Country should be a place where reasonable, rational, logical, and decent human
beings live. The rule of law and order must be implemented.
What exactly does that
mean? In real term: A Lavalas and a Duvalierist
should be able to function in legality in the country without one trying to
destroy the other. However, in order to accomplish that, certain
prerogatives must be in place. (1) Recognize all legitimate political parties.
(2) Organize free and fair elections. (3) Don’t persecute oppositions. (4)
Don’t malign government in place. (5) Absolutely
no coup-d’etat! (6) Organize legitimate political interest groups. (7)
Minimize external influence within internal politics. To put it simply, follow
the words of Jesus: Do into others as you would like them to do into you.
The Haitians must be
human beings with a sense of what is right or wrong just like any other national
beings. It is shameful what Haitian represents today in the global society. Everybody
is ready to run out of the country. We should be ashamed of ourselves. Our
children are walking with their heads down because of what we are doing. We
should be ashamed.
Let us start to right things up, with the “I” first. Then, let US reach out to the others and teach
them how to make a difference. Join the call
for Haitian national unity.
Any Haitian, anybody
reading this blog, who is interested in the prosperity of the Haitian nation, please
join the Mouvman Apel Rasanblman Ayisyen (MARA) - by Join this
conversation on this blog or Facebook or Twitter @ecgranmoun. Or email,
granmoun@hotmail.com
By E.C. GRANMOUN
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