"History define a people, but changing the wrongs of the past define a period of time."
DCA
To Heal Haiti, Look to History, Not Nature
The new nation, its fields burned, its plantation manors pillaged, its towns devastated by apocalyptic war, was crushed by the burden of these astronomical reparations, payments that, in one form or another, strangled its economy for more than a century. It was in this dark aftermath of war, in the shadow of isolation and contempt, that Haiti’s peculiar political system took shape, mirroring in distorted form, like a wax model placed too close to the fire, the slave society of colonial times.
The whites on their plantations had done this directly, exploiting the land they owned with the forced labor of their slaves. But the slaves had become soldiers in a victorious revolution, and those who survived demanded as their reward a part of the rich land on which they had labored and suffered. Soon after independence most of the great plantations were broken up, given over to the former slaves, establishing Haiti as a nation of small landowners, one whose isolated countryside remained, in language, religion and culture, largely African.
Unable to replace the whites in their plantation manors, Haiti’s new elite moved from owning the land to fighting to control the one institution that could tax its products: the government. While the freed slaves worked their small fields, the powerful drew off the fruits of their labor through taxes. In this disfigured form the colonial philosophy endured: ruling had to do not with building or developing the country but with extracting its wealth. “Pluck the chicken,” proclaimed Dessalines — now Emperor Jacques I — “but don’t make it scream.”
In 1806, two years after independence, the emperor was bayoneted by a mostly mulatto cabal of officers. Haitian history became the immensely complex tale of factional struggles to control the state, with factions often defined by an intricate politics of skin color. There was no method of succession ultimately recognized as legitimate, no tradition of loyal opposition. Politics was murderous, operatic, improvisational. Instability alternated with autocracy. The state was battled over and won; Haiti’s wealth, once seized, purchased allegiance — but only for a time. Fragility of rule and uncertainty of tenure multiplied the imperative to plunder. Unseated rulers were sometimes killed, more often exiled, but always their wealth — that part of it not sent out of the country — was pillaged in its turn.
In 1915 the whites returned: the United States Marines disembarked to enforce continued repayment of the original debt and to put an end to an especially violent struggle for power that, in the shadow of World War I and German machinations in the Caribbean, suddenly seemed to threaten American interests. During their nearly two decades of rule, the Americans built roads and bridges, centralized the Haitian state — setting the stage for the vast conurbation of greater Port-au-Prince that we see today in all its devastation — and sent Haitians abroad to be educated as agronomists and doctors in the hope of building a more stable middle class.
Still, by the time they finally left, little in the original system had fundamentally changed. Haitian nationalism, piqued by the reappearance of white masters who had forced Haitians to work in road gangs, produced the noiriste movement that finally brought to power in 1957 François Duvalier, the most brilliant and bloody of Haiti’s dictators, who murdered tens of thousands while playing adroitly on cold-war America’s fear of communism to win American acceptance.
I saw this article in the New York Times on Haiti, a true historical view on how this country moved from the first independent black colony and most feared, to the poorest in this hemisphere:
HAITI is everybody’s cherished tragedy. Long before the great earthquake struck the country like a vengeful god, the outside world, and Americans especially, described, defined, marked Haiti most of all by its suffering. Epithets of misery clatter after its name like a ball and chain: Poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. One of the poorest on earth. For decades Haiti’s formidable immiseration has made it among outsiders an object of fascination, wonder and awe. Sometimes the pity that is attached to the land — and we see this increasingly in the news coverage this past week — attains a tone almost sacred, as if Haiti has taken its place as a kind of sacrificial victim among nations, nailed in its bloody suffering to the cross of unending destitution.
And yet there is nothing mystical in Haiti’s pain, no inescapable curse that haunts the land. From independence and before, Haiti’s harms have been caused by men, not demons. Act of nature that it was, the earthquake last week was able to kill so many because of the corruption and weakness of the Haitian state, a state built for predation and plunder. Recovery can come only with vital, even heroic, outside help; but such help, no matter how inspiring the generosity it embodies, will do little to restore Haiti unless it addresses, as countless prior interventions built on transports of sympathy have not, the man-made causes that lie beneath the Haitian malady.
In 1804 the free Republic of Haiti was declared in almost unimaginable triumph: hard to exaggerate the glory of that birth. Hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans had labored to make Saint-Domingue, as Haiti was then known, the richest colony on earth, a vastly productive slave-powered factory producing tons upon tons of sugar cane, the 18th-century’s great cash crop. For pre-Revolutionary France, Haiti was an inexhaustible cash cow, floating much of its economy. Generation after generation, the second sons of the great French families took ship for Saint-Domingue to preside over the sugar plantations, enjoy the favors of enslaved African women and make their fortunes.
Even by the standards of the day, conditions in Saint-Domingue’s cane fields were grisly and brutal; slaves died young, and in droves; they had few children. As exports of sugar and coffee boomed, imports of fresh Africans boomed with them. So by the time the slaves launched their great revolt in 1791, most of those half-million blacks had been born in Africa, spoke African languages, worshipped African gods.
In an immensely complex decade-long conflict, these African slave-soldiers, commanded by legendary leaders like Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, defeated three Western armies, including the unstoppable superpower of the day, Napoleonic France. In an increasingly savage war — “Burn houses! Cut off heads!” was the slogan of Dessalines — the slaves murdered their white masters, or drove them from the land.
On Jan. 1, 1804, when Dessalines created the Haitian flag by tearing the white middle from the French tricolor, he achieved what even Spartacus could not: he had led to triumph the only successful slave revolt in history. Haiti became the world’s first independent black republic and the second independent nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Alas, the first such republic, the United States, despite its revolutionary creed that “all men are created equal,” looked upon these self-freed men with shock, contempt and fear. Indeed, to all the great Western trading powers of the day — much of whose wealth was built on the labor of enslaved Africans — Haiti stood as a frightful example of freedom carried too far. American slaveholders desperately feared that Haiti’s fires of revolt would overleap those few hundred miles of sea and inflame their own human chattel.
For this reason, the United States refused for nearly six decades even to recognize Haiti. (Abraham Lincoln finally did so in 1862.) Along with the great colonial powers, America instead rewarded Haiti’s triumphant slaves with a suffocating trade embargo — and a demand that in exchange for peace the fledgling country pay enormous reparations to its former colonial overseer. Having won their freedom by force of arms, Haiti’s former slaves would be made to purchase it with treasure.
To view the rest of this intriguing article, see link below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/opinion/22danner.html?pagewanted=1
To Heal Haiti, Look to History, Not Nature
In 1804 the free Republic of Haiti was declared in almost unimaginable triumph: hard to exaggerate the glory of that birth. Hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans had labored to make Saint-Domingue, as Haiti was then known, the richest colony on earth, a vastly productive slave-powered factory producing tons upon tons of sugar cane, the 18th-century’s great cash crop. For pre-Revolutionary France, Haiti was an inexhaustible cash cow, floating much of its economy. Generation after generation, the second sons of the great French families took ship for Saint-Domingue to preside over the sugar plantations, enjoy the favors of enslaved African women and make their fortunes.
Even by the standards of the day, conditions in Saint-Domingue’s cane fields were grisly and brutal; slaves died young, and in droves; they had few children. As exports of sugar and coffee boomed, imports of fresh Africans boomed with them. So by the time the slaves launched their great revolt in 1791, most of those half-million blacks had been born in Africa, spoke African languages, worshipped African gods.
In an immensely complex decade-long conflict, these African slave-soldiers, commanded by legendary leaders like Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, defeated three Western armies, including the unstoppable superpower of the day, Napoleonic France. In an increasingly savage war — “Burn houses! Cut off heads!” was the slogan of Dessalines — the slaves murdered their white masters, or drove them from the land.
On Jan. 1, 1804, when Dessalines created the Haitian flag by tearing the white middle from the French tricolor, he achieved what even Spartacus could not: he had led to triumph the only successful slave revolt in history. Haiti became the world’s first independent black republic and the second independent nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Alas, the first such republic, the United States, despite its revolutionary creed that “all men are created equal,” looked upon these self-freed men with shock, contempt and fear. Indeed, to all the great Western trading powers of the day — much of whose wealth was built on the labor of enslaved Africans — Haiti stood as a frightful example of freedom carried too far. American slaveholders desperately feared that Haiti’s fires of revolt would overleap those few hundred miles of sea and inflame their own human chattel.
For this reason, the United States refused for nearly six decades even to recognize Haiti. (Abraham Lincoln finally did so in 1862.) Along with the great colonial powers, America instead rewarded Haiti’s triumphant slaves with a suffocating trade embargo — and a demand that in exchange for peace the fledgling country pay enormous reparations to its former colonial overseer. Having won their freedom by force of arms, Haiti’s former slaves would be made to purchase it with treasure.
To view the rest of this intriguing article, see link below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/opinion/22danner.html?pagewanted=1
"Oh to know our history, our chins would be held high, our esteem would reach the sky."
DCA
DCA
By definition, the stock market is an organised market for the purchase and sale of securities such as stocks or bonds. One may ask the question, what is a security? A security is basically a document indicating ownership or creditorship. So in other words, proof that we actually have a share in something, be it gold, oil, sugar, pig bellies, etc. Governments, companies and financial institutions often use securities to raise money. In the case of stocks, this is a security issued in the form of equity ownership. Stocks are traded in organised exchanges such as the New Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Jamaica Stock Exchange, etc. Each country uses it own exchange in order to trade stocks affiliated with that country.
The Stock Market has evolved over time with the age of technology. In the past stock were traded only on the trading floors, but now persons can set up an online account and trade from the comfort of their homes. In the coming articles we will look at the ease of trading these markets and the factors that influence market conditions.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished. Proverbs 17:5The devastation in Haiti has proven to be a reminder of the awesome force of nature. Earthquakes have become a deadly force that are capable of wiping out entire cities even countries within seconds. Jamaica has had two such earthquakes in its history in 1892 and 1907. The 1892 being the deadliest resulting in half on Port Royal being underwater.
The tragedy in Haiti has been a real wake up call for many countries. There have been many who have stated reasons why the earthquake took place. One reason given was the fact that some in Haiti practice Voodoo, so God has lifted his wrath upon the land. This argument is cloudy to say the least. If that argument were true then Jamaica and other countries who are evil would be face similar outcomes. The bible teaches us that God causes the sun to shine on good and the bad, lets look at Matthew 5:44-45, "but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust."
It cannot be justified for any nation to be involved in activities that God does not condone. We know that God hates all types of evil, not just voodoo or witchcraft. The hope is that with tragedy people will draw closer to God and move away from evil. No one can ever say that all Haitians are involved in evil activities. In fact, there are many congregations in Haiti that worship God almighty. There are also many theology students from Haiti who travels overseas so that they can in turn go back and preach God's word. As with many nations, Jamaica included, there are often the few who makes all seem bad.
This disaster supports the argument that no one is greater than God. The world is daily moving away from God and towards man, thinking that earthly pleasures can save them, but only God has that power. None of us know when our time will be called, but we have control over now. We can change our paradigm at this moment, so that when the disaster comes we are right with God, that is the only way to salvation. He has provided us with the greatest tool to face our battle, his eternal Word...
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17
"Tragedy brings us closer to God."
DCA
DCA
"Life is too short to stress."
DCA
DCA
In this column my aim will be to give a quick overview of top sporting news like never covered before. I will examine all sporting issues that tickle the mind, from chess to curling...It should be very interesting to say the least, as I have always wanted to be a sports reporter [lol], yes, I am passionate about sports. Guess what, this year is the 2010 World Cup and Commonwealth Games, whoopee..It should be lots of funs for me....
In this section I will examine some of the words which stimulate my mind daily, monthly, yearly. Though the thoughts may seem to be relevant for one period in time, you may be shocked to know that a lot of my words have been written over a 15 year period. Poetry writing for me started some 21 years ago. In that time I have written over 2,000 poems, some of which have never been featured on these pages. You will be able to further stare into my mind, which at times is covered in pain, grief and happiness. All of us at different stages in life experience these thoughts, its just that we never document them, but we all feel the same at some point. Life is poetry in motion, each step is a journey to a new word, before the journey ends a sentence is formed, and the journey starts again......
In this upcoming feature I will examine books which I have read recently and give a brief synopsis of their content. The first of the many books I would like to focus on is, Hannibal: Enemy of Rome. In the next 4 weeks I will provide you with some astonishing history on Hannibal as never before revealed. Many persons may not even know who Hannibal is, but trust me, after this review you will want to know more and more...
With the new year comes big possibilities in the different financial markets. As oil and gold prices continue to rise, the opportunities for big gains become evident. In this upcoming column I will focus on some investment opportunities for 2010. I will provide some practical plans to make safe money, bearing in mind that the recession is still affecting many people. I will also share some of my best kept secrets in stocks and forex trading which may be useful for many. By no means will I tell people that investments are not risky, but you can make money with calculated risk taking. Many of us are still reeling from losses in investment schemes, but the time is now to make some return on our small investments. I only hope that my input will be useful to you all.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever." Hebrews 13:8
As another year is upon us, I wonder if the above scripture is applicable to us in anyway. The past has just been left in the wind, never to return. Are we the same yesterday, today or forever? The things that we did yesterday which were right, will we carry them into this year? The same statement can be made in the reverse, will we carry the bad with us too?
I have heard it said by some before that due to the changing times or modern ways of man that things also change. I once heard someone use this argument to justify women preaching or usurping authority over men in worship, saying that things and times have changed. Hebrew 13:8 states categorically that God does not change, he is the same yesterday, today and forever.
As Christians we are required to live righteously yesterday, today and forever. We often fall short, but we are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ who died for our sins.
We view days differently than God, in fact, Psalms 90:4 states in reference to God that, "For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night". We have no control over our destiny, but what we do have is now. We have the chance now to make right with God, to follow his commands and live a righteous life.
This is a new year, the past is the past. Let's take the following message with us from Phillippians 3:12-14:
"Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.Brethren, I could not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do , forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
As another year is upon us, I wonder if the above scripture is applicable to us in anyway. The past has just been left in the wind, never to return. Are we the same yesterday, today or forever? The things that we did yesterday which were right, will we carry them into this year? The same statement can be made in the reverse, will we carry the bad with us too?
I have heard it said by some before that due to the changing times or modern ways of man that things also change. I once heard someone use this argument to justify women preaching or usurping authority over men in worship, saying that things and times have changed. Hebrew 13:8 states categorically that God does not change, he is the same yesterday, today and forever.
As Christians we are required to live righteously yesterday, today and forever. We often fall short, but we are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ who died for our sins.
We view days differently than God, in fact, Psalms 90:4 states in reference to God that, "For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night". We have no control over our destiny, but what we do have is now. We have the chance now to make right with God, to follow his commands and live a righteous life.
This is a new year, the past is the past. Let's take the following message with us from Phillippians 3:12-14:
"Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.Brethren, I could not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do , forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
"Each year should bring you closer to God."
DCA
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