Opinion

Opinion

Learning to Read and Write in Your Native Tongue

By Jacques Pierre

You aren’t able to read and write Haitian Creole, or you don’t want to learn to read and write Haitian Creole?

No one on this blessed earth ever learns to read and write their own language unconsciously. Either they have the good fortune to go to school to do this (if their school is taught in that language), or they take the initiative to do this themselves, finding a way to decipher the mechanics of that language after countless hours of practice. In the Haitian context, the majority of the small handful of people who attended school before the 1970s and 1980s never had a single class in Haitian Creole. Consequently, you’ll find that the vast majority of people of these generations have difficulty reading and writing Creole. However, those of these generations who would like to learn to read and write Creole should take the necessary steps to achieve this goal.

Opinion

If Education is the Cure for Poverty, then How do we Make the Antidote?

By Brad L. Brasseur A great deal of work is still needed to improve Haiti’s education system, despite large increases…

Opinion

From René Préval to Jude Célestin: Could Their Stance Against the International Community Be the Start of Haiti’s Political Freedom?

By Daniella Bien-Aime

It makes sense now.

What makes sense, you might ask?

It makes sense, after reading both the Haitian Times and the New York Times, why former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would personally make a trip to Haiti in 2010 to demand that the Haitian people’s original vote for Jude Célestin be changed in favor of Michel Martelly.

Opinion

Community Media Must Be at the Center of Government Outreach

By Melissa Mark-Viverito, Speaker of the New York City Council

Every day, readers like you get their news from publications like this one. You are among the millions of New Yorkers who turn to ethnic or local news sources for information in languages other than English and for reports about what’s happening in your neighborhood, or in the homelands to which you’re still connected.

Opinion

Haiti: Democracy In Crisis

By Lesly Kernisant, M.D.

In January 2010, Haiti was severely struck by a devastating earthquake that literally buried a quarter million of our compatriots in the fallen debris of destroyed homes leaving an additional one million homeless. This month marks the 6th anniversary of this catastrophe. Unfortunately, instead of commemorating a national recovery, the country is now facing a political roadblock that will undoubtedly exacerbate the existing financial, social and environmental crisis of the post-earthquake period.

Opinion

OP-ED: Black Men and High School Education

By Alban Boucher

One day after work as I walked to the train station I bumped into an old classmate from high school. As we joked about the old days he asked me if I just started working at the nearest department store, Target. I told him about my profession and he looked amazed.

Opinion

OP-ED: Thanksgiving In Haiti

By Rachele Viard

While Thanksgiving isn’t my absolute favorite holiday, that title belongs to Christmas, it is definitely up there. And for me it’s all about spending time with family and taking time to be extra thankful for everything I’m fortunate enough to have. When I officially moved to Haiti in 2011, I continued with my mother the American tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving, which in the states marks the historic meal between the newly-settled pilgrims and the Indians.

Opinion

Figuring it out!

By Samuel Pierre

When a Haitian American is born in the United States they are afforded opportunities that many others aren’t. You are now a United States citizen- your parents are not. You have access to some of the best schools in the world- your parents do not. You have the luxury of going to any place anywhere in the world with your US passport- your parents cannot. What do you do with all this power? How do you use it, for good or for evil? Many Haitian Americans do not realize that being born in America gives you a competitive edge to success.

Opinion

How Haitian Politicians Can Lead to Engage the Diaspora

By Daniella Bien-Aime

Haiti’s presidential elections are in full swing. The first round took place in August, and the second round is scheduled for Oct. 25. Although the initial results were considered ‘slimy’, some are justifying the outcomes as progress. Despite this, we’re moving on.

What’s striking is the emergence of candidates in the digital space.

As I interact and watch hopeful presidential and senate candidates on social media, two thoughts occurred to me: one, Haiti’s Internet penetration is gaining steam, and two, there is an opportunity to train these potential leaders on using the medium to engage likely donors and voters.

Opinion

Sean Penn To Bear: A response to Sean Penn’s Editorial

By Marli Lalanne
Sean Penn can perhaps make the load lighter for our people in Haiti, but thinking this is his cross to bear will invariably lead to failure. Haitians are grateful for the many good-hearted people around the world who lend a hand to our beloved country. We understand the sacrifice it takes to do so, however, spending enormous amounts of money without any long-term impact does not help Haiti, it leaves us even worse off.

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