Bob DellaValle-Rauth - Dec 2003:

HAITI CELEBRATES FREEDOM: BICENTENNIAL 2004

In March of 2003, in an article published in The Catholic Virginian and elsewhere, Adele raised and answered the question: “What’s to Celebrate?” Since that time, much effort by the Government of Haiti (GOH), by governments outside of Haiti, and by grassroots organizations across the US has gone into planning and joining the people of Haiti in their Bicentennial celebration.

SO – WHO IS CELEBRATING?

CITY COUNCIL OF PITTSBURGH has issued a resolution proclaiming January 1, 2004 “Haitian Independence Day; January “Haitian Independence Commemoration Month”; and 2004: “Haitian Bicentennial Year”. Cognizant of the anti-democracy tilt of U.S. foreign policy toward Haiti one of the resolutions reads: “Whereas Haiti has maintained its independence against overwhelming odds including ostracism and blockade by the U.S., France, and other European powers and being twice invaded and occupied by American forces…”

Let’s applaud the city of Pittsburgh for its courage and support of the people of Haiti!

SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DR. NKOSAZANE DLAMINI ZUMA are scheduled to visit Haiti January 1, 2004. In a statement issued by Ronnie Mamoepa of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs they stated: “As we celebrate the 10 years of the youngest African republic in peace and harmony, so would we want to join celebrations of the oldest African republic.” The President and Minister of Foreign Affairs further adds “We will not join in the fray that seeks to deny the people of Haiti the right to claim their heritage! Consequently, both of us will indeed join the peoples of the world and Haiti in celebrating this bicentenary.”

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS announced on December 15 the Smithsonian Folk life Festival celebration of the Bicentennial of the Haitian Revolution: “Haiti: Freedom and Creativity…from the Mountains to the Sea”. The Festival runs June 23-27, 2004 and June 30-July 4. Much of this festival will be outdoors on the National Mall in D.C. between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument. In the Press Release the Office of Public Affairs states: “The history of Haiti is intimately tied to the U.S. Henri Christophe fought alongside George Washington in Savannah, GA during the Revolutionary War. In defeating the French, Haiti played an important role in making possible the Louisiana Purchase.” Smithsonian is expecting one million visitors to experience the arts, music, cuisine, storytelling and rich craft traditions of Haiti.

PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE OAS met on December 17 and issued a Press Release expressing congratulations to Haiti “on the occasion of the celebration of the Bicentennial of Independence of Haiti” and “welcomed Haiti’s seminal contribution to the liberation of peoples of the Americas.” During this meeting the Council reaffirmed the Special Mission in Haiti to continue and contribute to the search for a solution to Haiti’s political problems.

SAN FRANCISCO LABOR COUNCIL, on December 18, issued a unanimous resolution “Honoring the Bicentennial of Haiti”. This resolution was sent to all affiliated unions, other labor councils, the California Labor Federation and AFL-CIO, urging adoption. The resolution sends warm greetings of solidarity “to the working people and government of Haiti on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Haitian Revolution which abolished slavery and ended colonial rule in Haiti – an earth-shattering development in the struggle for the emancipation of labor all over the world.”

HAITI REBORN “LET HAITI LIVE” CAMPAIGN, a coalition of about 80 grassroots groups and representing more than 100,000 U.S. citizens, has urged folks to go to Haiti and will lead groups to join in the 2004 celebrations. The coalition is urging the U.S. government to join in supporting the Government of Haiti by advocating changes in U.S. foreign policy toward Haiti.

HOW CAN WE CELEBRATE?

Support the release of funds from the International Financial Institutions. Urge our U.S. Ambassador James Foley to participate in some of the GOH celebrations. Demonstrate that the U.S. can support a fledgling democracy only 12 years old.

As a democratic republic, we sometimes forget our own history:
Do we forget that 84 years after U.S. independence we were fighting a Civil War in which over 500,000 men and women were killed? Do we forget that it was 144 years before 50% of our population – women – received the human right to vote? Do we forget that until the 1930’s, 154 years after independence, children ages 8-14 laboring in factories, on farms, and as domestics, were liberated through Child Labor Laws? Do we forget that it was 175 years after U.S. independence before the last 20% of our population – people of color – received their civil rights? And throughout all those years we – the U.S. – received enormous amounts of foreign aid as we developed and grew as a nation.

In recent weeks we have heard from numerous missionaries in Haiti who will be celebrating the Bicentennial, reaching out as always to the poor in very sacrificial ways. These missionaries will be on hand to greet us when we arrive throughout the year 2004. It is heartening to read about the outpouring of International, U.S. grassroots, U.S. Organizations, and missionary support for the Government and the people of Haiti.
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Ron Voss says: “Every American should come to Haiti in 2004 to see for themselves what these people have achieved, against all odds, particularly in the last 15-20 years. Before you come read Matthew 5 and 25.”

It is all a matter of love.