DOCSLIB.ORG

Haitian Diaspora Impact on Haitian Socio-Political and Economic Development

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Haitian Diaspora Impact on Haitian Socio-Political and Economic Development City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works Dissertations and Theses City College of New York 2011 Haitian Diaspora Impact on Haitian Socio-Political and Economic Development Sharleen Rigueur CUNY City College How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/51 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] Haitian Diaspora Impact on Haitian Socio-Political and Economic Development Sharleen Rigueur June 2011 Master’s Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of International Affairs at the City College of New York Thesis Advisor: Professor Juergen Dedring Abstract.......................................................................................................................................4 Chapter 1: Introduction.........................................................................................................6 Topic ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Justification/Rationale ................................................................................................................... 7 Thesis..................................................................................................................................................11 Theoretical Framework / Literature Review........................................................................11 Research Design..............................................................................................................................24 Variables .......................................................................................................................................................... 26 Methodology................................................................................................................................................... 26 Chapter Outline............................................................................................................................................. 27 Chapter 2: Relevant Historical Overview ..................................................................... 29 Haiti.....................................................................................................................................................29 The Colony ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 The Revolution .............................................................................................................................................. 31 American Occupation ................................................................................................................................. 37 The Duvalier Regime.....................................................................................................................39 Phase One ........................................................................................................................................................ 39 Phase Two ....................................................................................................................................................... 40 Phase Three .................................................................................................................................................... 41 Haitian Diaspora (1960s – Present).........................................................................................42 Chapter 3: Haitian Diaspora in the United States ...................................................... 46 Remittances: The Economic Impact on Haiti ........................................................................50 Migrant Organizations and Associations................................................................................53 2 Professional Associations and Church Organizations.................................................................. 55 Political Organization within the US ........................................................................................58 Haitian Diaspora Political Outlet through Media ........................................................................... 61 Conclusion....................................................................................................................................................... 62 Chapter 4: Haitian Diaspora Impact on Haiti: WhY the impact is not working? ..................................................................................................................................................... 65 Haitian Diaspora impact on Post-Duvalier transition .......................................................67 Haitian Diaspora impact on Civil SocietY ...............................................................................72 Haitian Diaspora and the United States..................................................................................75 Conclusion....................................................................................................................................................... 78 Chapter 5: Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 79 Recommendations..........................................................................................................................82 Afterthoughts...................................................................................................................................84 BIBLIOGRAPHY...................................................................................................................... 86 Appendices.............................................................................................................................. 90 Appendix 1: Map: Republic of Haiti ..........................................................................................90 Appendix 2: Total and Haitian Foreign Born Populations, 1960 to 2008 [Table]....91 Appendix 3: Remittances Profile: Haiti...................................................................................92 3 Abstract There is a new perspective developing within the international community on Diasporas and their potential to assist in the development process of their country of origin. The discussion began from the realization that transnational flows of remittances from sending countries (core) to receiving countries (periphery) increasingly surpass donor contributions to developing countries. The argument further discusses different socio-economic strategies to use when diasporic communities residing in developed countries (core) are assisting their homeland (periphery). This paper will look at the Haitian Diaspora in the United States and its active transnational link to Haiti. Since the days of post-Duvalierism, the Haitian Diaspora has actively participated in the developmental process of the country. Remittances are no longer the only way in which the Haitian diaspora assists. Seemingly there has been an increase in transnational activity via political and socio-economic organizations and associations. However, the addition of the Haitian Diaspora as a major force in Haiti’s development process (as seen in the last 10 years) is uncertain. It is doubtful because the divided social structure of Haitian history, has transplanted into Haitian diasporic communities. The social construct of Haitian émigrés in the United States and their active role in politics and social-development affects the Haitian democratic and developmental process. 4 Looking at how the Haitian Diaspora political and non-political organizations and associations operate, it becomes apparent that the fractured social class structure within the diaspora is divided by socio-economic status. Although a unified Haitian Diaspora has proven to be a strong lobby (i.e., swaying American policy and collective remittance contributions) the factions that exist beyond that have implications on sustaining the efforts taken on by the diaspora. 5 Chapter 1: Introduction Topic In 1990, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide called upon the “tenth department” to help rehabilitate Haitian development beyond remittances. Since then, what has the impact of the Haitian Diaspora on Haiti’s development been like? Has that impact fared positively or negatively in Haitian development? Although the Haitian Diaspora heeded Aristide’s request in the early 1990’s to assist in Haiti’s development beyond remittances, its participation and contributions have impacted Haitian development negatively. This negative impact is evident in two ways: 1) The fragmentation in class structure that existed and exists in Haiti today has been transplanted into the Haitian Diaspora society within the United States, and 2) This fragmentation can be seen in the way in which organizations and associations of the Haitian Diaspora are created and interact. An explanatory analysis of the social construct of Haitian émigrés in the United States will clarify why this group has negatively affected Haitian development. This analysis will concentrate on the Haitian contemporary diaspora (foreign-born) - those who began migrating to the United States in the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Enduring Ties the Human Connection Between Greater Boston, Latin America and the Caribbean
    Enduring Ties The Human Connection Between Greater Boston, Latin America and the Caribbean Prepared for The Building Broader Communities in Americas Working Group by The Philanthropic Initiative and Boston Indicators Greater Boston’s Immigrants and Their Connections to Latin America and the Caribbean | 1 The Boston Foundation The Boston Foundation, Greater Boston’s community foundation, is one of the largest community foundations in the nation, with net assets of some $1 billion. In 2016, the Foundation and its donors paid $100 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and received gifts of more than $107 million. The Foundation is proud to be a partner in philanthropy, with more than 1,000 separate charitable funds established by donors either for the general benefit of the community or for special purposes. The Boston Foundation also serves as a major civic leader, think tank and advocacy organization, commissioning research into the most critical issues of our time and helping to shape public policy designed to advance opportunity for everyone in Greater Boston. The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), a distinct operating unit of the Foundation, designs and implements customized philanthropic strategies for families, foundations and corporations both here and around the globe. For more information about the Boston Foundation or TPI, visit tbf.org or call 617.338.1700. The Philanthropic Initiative The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) is a global philanthropic consulting practice that helps individuals, families, foundations, and corporations develop and execute customized strategies to increase the impact of their giving and achieve philanthropy that is more strategic, effective, and fulfilling. For nearly 30 years, TPI has served as consultant and thought partner to ambitious donors and funders who embrace innovative thinking in their efforts to find local, national, and global levers of change.
    [Show full text]
  • En En Motion for a Resolution
    European Parliament 2019-2024 Plenary sitting B9-0286/2021 18.5.2021 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure on Situation in Haiti (2021/2694(RSP)) Karol Karski, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Anna Fotyga, Assita Kanko, Elżbieta Kruk, Carlo Fidanza, Joanna Kopcińska, Valdemar Tomaševski, Raffaele Fitto, Veronika Vrecionová, Elżbieta Rafalska, Ryszard Czarnecki, Adam Bielan, Bogdan Rzońca, Alexandr Vondra, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Angel Dzhambazki on behalf of the ECR Group RE\P9_B(2021)0286_EN.docx PE692.556v01-00 EN United in diversityEN B9-0286/2021 European Parliament resolution on 2021/2694 (2021/2694(RSP)) The European Parliament, – having regard to its previous resolutions on Haiti, in particular those of 19 January 2011 on the situation in Haiti one year after the earthquake: humanitarian aid and reconstruction, and of 8 February 2018 on child slavery in Haiti, and of 29 November 2019 on Haiti, – having regard to the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2018, and in particular the Haiti country update thereof, adopted by the Council on 13 May 2019, – having regard to the final report of the EU Election Follow-up Mission to Haiti between 19 and 23 November 2018, – having regard to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR) annual report on the situation of human
    [Show full text]
  • Engaging the Haitian Diaspora
    Engaging the Haitian Diaspora Emigrant Skills and Resources are needed for Serious Growth and development, not Just Charity By Tatiana Wah ver the last five decades, Haiti has lost to the developed and developing world a significant amount of its already meager manpower resources, O largely in the form of international migration. This has led to a significant pool of skilled human capital residing mostly in the Dominican Republic, the United States, and Canada as diaspora communities. Some estimates show that as much as 70 percent of Haiti’s skilled human resources are in the diaspora. Meanwhile, it is increasingly argued that unless developing nations such as Haiti improve their skilled and scientific infrastructures and nurture the appropriate brainpower for the various aspects of the development process, they may never advance beyond their current low socio-economic status. Faced with persistent underdevelopment problems and with language and cultural barriers, international aid agencies, development scholars, and practitioners are increasingly and loudly calling for diaspora engagement programs. The processes required to construct successful diaspora engagement strategies for Haiti’s development, however, are not well understood and consequently merit serious attention. Programs make implicit and explicit assumptions about diaspora members that do not apply to the general understanding of how émigrés build or rebuild their worlds. Programs fail to place strategies within the larger framework of any national spatial-economic development plan or its implementation. Cur- rent engagement strategies treat nationalistic appeals and diaspora consciousness as sufficient to entice members of the diaspora to return or at least to make indi - rect contributions to their homeland.
    [Show full text]
  • CSA HAITI 2016 41St Caribbean Studies Association Conference Day 2 Tuesday, 7 June 2016
    CSA HAITI 2016 41st Caribbean Studies Association Conference Day 2 Tuesday, 7 June 2016 www.caribbeanstudiesassociation.org 1 2 TUESDAY MARDI MARTES 3 TUESDAY - 7 June 2016 8:00 AM H. Adlai Murdoch, Tufts University Hegel, Haiti, and the Inscription of Diasporic Blackness Registration and Administrative Matters MARTES Inscription et questions administratives / Irline François, Goucher College Registro y asuntos administrativos Haunting Capital, Legacies and Lifelines Enskripsyon ak administration Regine Michelle Jean-Charles, Boston College Sujets et assujetties : Les femmes esclaves dans Rosalie MARDI 8:00 AM - 8:10 AM l’infâme et Humus / Encuentros / Rasanblaj / Encounters / Rencontres (1) H2 Marriott Kolibri Terrace Opening Session G 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Exiles and/or Migrants: Representation, Testimony, Marriott Ayizan 1 and Experience Egzile ak/oubyen Imigran: Reprezantasyon, Temwayaj ak Ek- TUESDAY TUESDAY Opening Session 2: Louvri Bayè pou "Migrations of Afro- speryans Caribbean Spirituality" Exilios y/o emigrantes: representación, testimonio y experi- Séance d'ouverture: Louvri Bayè pou "Migrations de la spiritu- encia alité afro-caribéenne" Sesión de apertura 2: Louvri Bayè pou "Migraciones de la espir- Chair: Juliette Storr, Pennsylvania State University itualidad afro-caribeña" Media’s Portrayal of the Haitian Diaspora: Integration or Isola- tion Chair: Patrick Bellegarde-Smith, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee Oneil Hall, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus M. Jacqui Alexander, University of Toronto Border restrictions:
    [Show full text]
  • Letter from the Haitian-American Community to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Elections in Haiti
    April 7, 2016 Letter from the Haitian-American Community to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Elections in Haiti The Honorable John Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, D.C. 20520 Dear Secretary Kerry: We respectfully urge the State Department to chart a far different and better course in Haiti than it has so far. We believe that the Department’s positions to date have undermined Haiti’s democracy while harming the United States’ credibility in Haiti. We request that the United States adopt a policy that prioritizes respect for Haitians’ democratic rights, not political expediency. Recent U.S. policy towards Haiti has contributed to a dangerous process of political polarization. On December 26, the day before an election evaluation commission was set to review allegations of irregularities, U.S. Ambassador Peter Mulrean announced to the Haitian press that there were no irregularities. This undiplomatic interference in Haiti’s internal affairs generated outrage across Haiti’s political and social spectrums. In January, U.S. diplomats pressed for second- round presidential and legislative elections to be held on the basis of dubious official results, even though the Catholic and Protestant Churches, the Chamber of Commerce, most political parties, electoral observation organizations and human rights groups, and tens of thousands of protestors were calling for better elections. Fortunately, the January 24 vote was postponed, giving Haiti some much-needed political breathing room. An interim leadership took over when President Michel Martelly’s term expired on February 7 and is working to restart the stalled electoral process.
    [Show full text]
  • An Examination of Haiti's Historical Underdevelopment, Endless Poverty, and The
    University of Vermont ScholarWorks @ UVM Graduate College Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 2018 Who Really Controls Haiti's Destiny? An examination of Haiti's Historical Underdevelopment, Endless Poverty, and the Role played by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Patrick Scheld University of Vermont Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis Part of the Caribbean Languages and Societies Commons, and the Economic Theory Commons Recommended Citation Scheld, Patrick, "Who Really Controls Haiti's Destiny? An examination of Haiti's Historical Underdevelopment, Endless Poverty, and the Role played by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)" (2018). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 836. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/836 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations and Theses at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate College Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WHO REALLY CONTROLS HAITI’S DESTINY? AN EXAMINATION OF HAITI’S HISTORICAL UNDERDEVELOPMENT, ENDLESS POVERTY, AND THE ROLE PLAYED BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) A Thesis Presented by Patrick Scheld to The Faculty of the Graduate College of The University of Vermont In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science Specializing in Community Development and Applied Economics January, 2018 Defense Date: November 8, 2017 Thesis Examination Committee: Joshua Farley, Ph.D., Advisor Caroline Beer, Ph.D., Chairperson Edward McMahon, Ed. D. Cynthia J. Forehand, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate College Abstract The presence of NGOs and development agencies is often considered an apolitical phenomenon, and that the very presence of NGOs within a country is a symbol of a global humanity in action; in short, NGOs equal charity which equals good work.
    [Show full text]
  • Haitian-American Policy Agenda 2021 Reflections from South Florida P a R T N E R S 1
    Haitian-American Policy Agenda 2021 Reflections from South Florida P A R T N E R S 1 Association of Exchange and Development of Activities and Partnerships, Inc. Avanse Ansanm Ayiti Community Trust 2 Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida Haitian American Community Development Corporation Haitian American Faith Based Network 0 Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida Haitian American Professional Coalition Haitian American Voters Empowerment Coalition 2 Haitian Lawyers Association Rebati Sante Mentale Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center U-Turn Youth Consulting 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS I n t r o d u c t i o n ………… ………. ………………. ………… 4 2 E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y ……………………. … …. …. …. 6 E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t ………… . …… . ………. …. 7 A f f o r d a b l e H o u s i n g . …… . 1 0 0 I m m i g r a t i o n ……… …………………… . …………… . 1 3 G o v e r n m e n t A c c o u n t a b i l i t y ………. ………… . 1 4 E d u c a t i o n ……………………………. …. …… ……… . …. 1 5 2 H e a l t h … ………………………… . …… . …… …………. 2 0 F o r e i g n P o l i c y ……………………………. …………. 2 2 E n d N o t e s …………………………………. …. …………… 2 8 C o n t a c t I n f o r m a t i o n …………………………….
    [Show full text]
  • The Haitian Diaspora in the United States
    RAD Diaspora Profile Prepared for the Rockefeller Foundation-Aspen Institute Diaspora Program (RAD) The Haitian Diaspora in the United States July 2014 Summary Approximately 915,000 Haitian immigrants and their children (the first and second genera- tions) live in the United States, and Haiti-born individuals account for 1.5 percent of the total U.S. foreign-born population. The U.S. government has gone to extraordinary lengths to block illegal immigration from Haiti, but Haitians have benefited from several special programs that have permitted entry or temporary residence, as well as the normal channel of family spon- sorship. The size of the Haiti-born population in the United States has grown rapidly in recent decades; in 1980, about 90,000 Haitian immigrants resided in the United States. The majority of the Haitian immigrant population arrived in the United States before 2000, as is true for the U.S. immigrant population overall. Haitian immigrants in the United States have a median age of 45, the third-oldest immigrant population of the 15 groups in the Rockefeller Founda- tion-Aspen Institute Diaspora Program (RAD) analysis (after the Philippines and Colombia).1 As a result of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the U.S. government offered Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to approximately 58,000 qualifying Haitian immigrants who could otherwise face deportation from the United States. TPS beneficiaries are given a temporary reprieve DIASPORAfrom deportation and granted work authorization until their TPS designation expires (July 22, 2014, in the case of Haiti) or is extended. The Cuban-Haitian Entrant Program provides refugee resettlement services, such as assistance obtaining employment, housing, and basic necessities, to eligible groups of Haitian immigrants.
    [Show full text]
  • Doing Business in Haiti: 2018 Country Commercial Guide for U.S
    Doing Business in Haiti: 2018 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. Table of Contents Doing Business in Haiti _____________________________________________ 5 Market Overview ________________________________________________________ 5 Market Challenges ______________________________________________________ 8 Market Opportunities ____________________________________________________ 9 Market Entry Strategy __________________________________________________ 11 Political Environment ______________________________________________ 11 Political Environment ___________________________________________________ 11 Selling U.S. Products & Services ____________________________________ 12 Using an Agent to Sell U.S. Products and Services __________________________ 12 Establishing an Office __________________________________________________ 12 Franchising ___________________________________________________________ 13 Direct Marketing _______________________________________________________ 13 Haiti Country Commercial Guide, June 2018 2 Joint Ventures/Licensing ________________________________________________ 13 Selling to the Government _______________________________________________ 13 Distribution & Sales Channels ___________________________________________ 14 Express Delivery ______________________________________________________ 15 Selling Factors & Techniques ____________________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Haitian Diaspora Forum: Contributing to a Strategic Plan for Reconstruction and Development in Haiti
    HAITIAN DIASPORA FORUM: CONTRIBUTING TO A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN HAITI March 21-23, 2010 CONSOLIDATED RECOMMENDATIONS The Haitian Diaspora wishes to thank the Organization of American States (OAS) for convening some 400 representatives from the Haitian Diaspora in its headquarters in Washington, DC, from March 21-23, 2010, to submit recommendations to the Government of Haiti and donors ahead of the discussion to be held on March 31 st , 2010 at the United Nations in New York, as part of its contribution into the elaboration of a strategic plan for the reconstruction and development of its homeland. Following are the recommendations that emanated from the two-day discussions: URGENT HUMANITARIAN NEEDS AND EFFECTIVE DEPL OYMENT OF FOREIGN AID The Diaspora acknowledges and supports efforts by the Government of Haiti (GOH) and the private sector to address the post-earthquake urgencies. It welcomes their insistence to the international community that, in purchasing food aid, preference be given to local producers and national suppliers in order to avoid the contraction of domestic production. It also welcomes efforts initiated with the help of the international community to assess the structural integrity of existing homes, and to implement cash for work programs. The Diaspora would like to urge the GOH to: R1. Collaborate with the international community to ensure that food distribution systems and shelter arrangements take into account social and cultural factors and respect the dignity of people (e.g. establish distribution schedules and community kitchens; keep lines short at distribution points; target vulnerable beneficiaries for special distribution channels including home delivery; uphold regional equity by extending distribution to areas that have welcomed the displaced population; etc.).
    [Show full text]
  • Haiti: the Relationship Between Political Instability and Post-Disaster Response Ashly Brun Clark University, [email protected]
    Clark University Clark Digital Commons International Development, Community and Master’s Papers Environment (IDCE) 3-2018 Haiti: The Relationship Between Political Instability and Post-Disaster Response Ashly Brun Clark University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.clarku.edu/idce_masters_papers Part of the History Commons, and the Latin American Studies Commons Recommended Citation Brun, Ashly, "Haiti: The Relationship Between Political Instability and Post-Disaster Response" (2018). International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE). 197. https://commons.clarku.edu/idce_masters_papers/197 This Research Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the Master’s Papers at Clark Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE) by an authorized administrator of Clark Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Brun 1 Haiti: The Relationship Between Political Instability and Post-Disaster Response Submitted by Ashly Brun March 2018 A Masters paper Submitted to the faculty of the International Development and Social Change Department of Clark University, Worcester Massachusetts In fulfillment of the requirements for the International Development and Social Change Accelerated B.A. / M.A. program And accepted on the recommendation of professor Anita Fabos, Ph.D., Chief instructor Brun 2 Table of Contents Abstract .....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Haitian Diaspora in Flatbush, Brooklyn
    Essay In 2018, part of the neighborhood in Flatbush, Brooklyn, Schumacher Milne, | Haitian Diaspora Gaeth, was designated as “Little Haiti.” This, along with the fact that many of the streets in the area are also being re- named to refect notorious Haitian leaders, sparked our interest within the Haitian Diaspora. Then, when we frst visited the neighborhood, we were a little shocked to not see as much Haitian infuence as we thought we would see. We expected “Little Haiti” to stand out, with clearly defned boundaries and edges. However, what we found HAITIAN was a more fuid combination of many Caribbean enclaves. This further sparked our interest in the community. What Urban Dislocations and the Architecture of Diasporas Architecture Urban Dislocations and the we discovered throughout the course of the semester is that there is a lot of Haitian infuence in the neighborhood, however, this infuence thrives in collaboration with other DIASPORA diasporic communities. The frst part of our exploration involved meeting with various people who are connected in Flatbush, Brooklyn to the Haitian Diaspora. We started off by meeting a local artist, Madjeen Isaac, who specializes in oil painting. She then referred us to the Kriyol Dance! Collective, from which we met three dancers who are part of the group. Interested in the built landscape of the neighborhood, an interview was also conducted with Ibrahim Greenidge, founder and lead-architect at BOLT Architecture. Intrigued by the amount of information that we learned within the interviews, both the photo essay and maps refect various Christian Gaeth, Kat Milne, Dan Schumacher ideas that were discussed.
    [Show full text]