EchodHaiti.com: Culture: Cultural Revolution of 2004: IDENTITY

Celebrating 200 Years of Freedom

History

Poetry

Claes Gabriel:
Konpa on Canvas

Edwidge Danticat:
"the butterfly's way"

On display

Jacques Roumain:
Writer

Raoul Peck:
Movie Director "Lumumba"

Man Yeyette:
110 Years Strong

Mother Lange:
Sainthood - A Source of Pride

DC Carnival 2000

Vodouism and Hinduism

Cultural Revolution
of 2004: IDENTITY

Under the shadow of fear and uncertainty, unlike anything ever experienced on United States soil, perhaps since the Civil War, many are contemplating their identity as Americans, or "ethnic-Americans," or as foreign residents in America. According to a recent edition of the Oxford Desk Dictionary the question of identity is pretty simple:

Haiti /hä'të/ n. republic West Indies, the W part of the island of Hispaniola. Capital: Port-au-Prince. Pop. 6,964,549.
Haitian /hä'shan/ adj. 1. of Haiti, -2 native, citizen, or inhabitant of Haiti.
America /amerika,-mar/ n. 1. Popular term for the United States of America 2. (also the Americas) the continents of N and S America and nearby islands, considered together.
American /ameriken/ adj. 1. Of America, esp. the US n. 2. Native, citizen, or inhabitant of America, esp. the US.

However, the only definition that matters is what Haitians and people of Haitian descent choose to define themselves. The question of identity is nothing new on this earth, for humanity, as a whole, has been looking for a definition since the beginning of time. The search for identity affects all ethnic groups. The word Haitian can be replaced at any time by African-American, Russian, Jamaican, Latino, African, etc. No where else has identity been questioned more than in the United States of America, a melting pot of ethnicity

Edwide Danticat, writer, professor.

Jacques Roumain, writer

Haitian, Haitian-American, Haitien, Ayisyen -- everyone has their own definition and meaning. Ou pa danse konpa? Ou pa Ayisyen! Dancing to Konpa music is very important to some, while others define it by what one eats, du ri ak pwa, poul, grio, etc. The ability to speak the native tongue of Kreyol is another issue. How long have you lived in the States? How often do you go back home? What is your political ideology? How critical are you of the culture, or of the government? Where were you born? Answers to these questions may classify you to some as a Haitian, or not. While many debate these points overseas, many Haitians, living their everyday life in the native land, refer to all Haitians from abroad as "Dyaspora." The recent book "the butterfly's way," edited by Edwidge Danticat, examined these issues and more.

On the road to the 200th anniversary of independence in 2004, Haiti and her children continue to struggle to define themselves, as in the early days of our forefathers. The country was born in contradiction and conflict, slaves became masters, and the elite fought each other to see who would master the masses. Conflicts were created that still influence Haitian life today, even in communities in the United States. Among other things, our division runs along educational, social, political, and religious lines.

Due to a strong emphasis on education, Haitians have infiltrated all parts of professional life overseas, from doctors to actors, writers to small business entrepreneurs. However, the emphasis on education can be a source of strength, as well as a cause for division. For years, the educated minority elite class used French to rule the mostly illiterate masses who spoke, what used to be regarded as, the inferior Kreyol. Now, a new change in attitude is sweeping across the country as Kreyol becomes more accepted and respected. Recently, the Haitian government added Kreyol as an official language, making French and Kreyol the two official languages of the country. Yet, in many social events, even in the United States, Haitians are classified based on their knowledge of French. In determining our identity, pale Kreyol, parlez Français, or speak English, may or may not factor into the formula. Self expression in any language may matter more than the school attended, or the family lineage, or the social status.

HAITI
Population: 8,000,000 (approx.)
Area: total: 27,750 sq km
Literacy: 45% (total population)

In a country that is smaller than the state of Maryland, wealth and beauty can be immensely vast. Haiti's population is diverse, with the overwhelming majority being people of African descent, while a small percentage are of European and mixed heritage. While the majority of wealth is controlled by a small segment of the population, beauty is widely spread, from the beautiful dark-skinned people of Port-de-Paix, to the beautiful light-skinned ones from Jacmel, from the countryside to the urban cities. As in America, too much value is sometimes given to physical appearance. Other social issues have also managed to cross borders and divide the communities. The traditional influence of family, wealth and educational background sometimes clash with American social equality.

Often, with wealth comes political power, an issue that Haiti still struggles with to this very day. The political battles for the future of the small nation have raged on for almost two hundred years. The rise of Haitian-American politicians in Florida, Massachusetts, New York and other communities will undoubtedly influence the political system in Haiti in the next century. Through it all, the people manage to stay confident through strong religious faith.

Religious Vodou ceremonie.
Picture by Rob Huibers (www.photo.nl)

It is said that 80% of Haitians are Roman Catholics, but more than 50% practice Vodou. Like Kreyol in recent times, the Vodou religion is gaining more respect and is being practiced more openly, but there still exists a stigma about the religion and the people who practice it. Although recognized as an official religion, with similarities to religions in Cuba and Brazil, it is still misunderstood by many in and out of Haiti. Vodou is to Haiti what freedom is to America. It is inseparable from the people, the culture, the politics and the history. From children's stories, to games learned in school, from art and music to fashion and dance, from taxi trucks, "kamyonèt," to political symbols, the influence of Vodou can be seen and felt throughout Haitian life. The Vodou spirits, or lwa, followed the slaves from Africa to the Caribbean, and from there to the United States and beyond. The religion has survived centuries of persecution and still thrives today, much like the people.

Identity /ïden'tetë/ n., pl. 1. The set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group. 2. The quality or condition of being exactly the same as something else.

Coupe Cloue, legendary Haitian singer/musician

Wyclef Jean, musician

The true definition of any group of people can only be determined collectively by each individual member of that group. No true definition of a person or group can be permanent, for as the person or group grows and learn from experience, the identity changes to reflect the new experiences. The knowledge and the wisdom of those who came before us must serve as the root as the new generations branch out and rise. None of these issues and struggles are unique to the Haitian communities. All immigrants struggle with some of the same issues at one point. Identity is much more complex than a dictionary definition. It can only be define individually and collectively, but it must be examined with each new generation. For, Wyclef Jean is as Haitian as Coupe Cloue.