JANERA’s recent event, “Haiti’s Reconstruction & the Geopolitical Implications of a Permanent U.S. Presence,” buzzed with curiosity, invested interest, heartfelt concern and commitment to rebuilding the earthquake-devastated country.
Regardless of the fact that guests had to battle a rainy New York evening to get to the Tuesday event, the Wall & Water Lounge at the new Andaz filled with an eclectic group of philanthropists, journalists, entrepreneurs, poets, humanitarians, scholars and curious pedestrians all brought together by the desire to have their burning questions about Haiti answered.
After a captivating performance by Haitian-American slam-poet, Lenelle Moise, guests settled in while sipping on wine and rubbing shoulders with colleagues, friends and new faces to hear panelists Dr. Bob Maguire and Nikolas Kozloff tackle challenging questions like, “Why did the earthquake in Haiti, which was similar to the 1994 San Francisco earthquake, cause so much damage and destruction?” And, “How do you evaluate the role of the international community in Haiti? Do you think the US overpowered the other countries in the relief operations?”
While, Moderator François Pierre-Louis got to the heart of issues surrounding post-earthquake Haiti, it was the questions from the guests that drove home the far-reaching impact and the shared connectivity of loss.
Tonya Phillips of Global Nomads Group questioned the state of displaced Haitian youth asking, “how will they be educated? They want to be able to go to school, yet 80% of the schools have been impacted…the students make up a sizable portion of the population.”
While Fatimah Rolland, a woman who had just returned from Haiti, where her husband was volunteering his surgical skills, challenged the organization of volunteer forces asking, “Where is the coordination?”
John Rosser, a gamechanger preparing for his own conference called, Sustainable Haiti , curiously questioned the future of Haiti’s entrepreneurship. Clearly a big believer in innovation, Rosser talked of applying this belief to Haitian people while realizing that the key lies in supporting and assisting the creative spirit of Haitians. Rosser asked, “Where is the registration for NGO’s? How do we make it efficient? It needs to be bottom up meeting top down. It’s all about creativity either manifested in arts or business. It’s about people who passionately believe in an idea.”
All questions pointed to the over-arching theme of the evening: the insurmountable strength, compassion and ingenuity born out of collective effort.
To hear the answers to these questions and to expand your own knowledge of Haiti’s most pressing issues watch JANERA’s live streaming of the event on FORA.tv
“Another Haiti event?” asked Janera in her outgoing invitation. Yes, indeed it was, but this Haiti’s Reconstruction & Geopolitics Salon was much more than your average fundraiser or lecture. Guests walked up the cascading marble staircase of the David Rockwell-designed Andaz Wall Street to the Wall & Water Lounge, adjacent to the chef‘s cheese stand.
After introductions, the passing of business cards and wine, Janera appeared at the microphone to introduce the speakers and performer. What better way to break the ice than with Haitian poet and muse, Lenelle Moise? My favorite piece was one she called “Desire.” Packed with images meant to define and evoke desire as ‘a clenched fist,’ ‘a pressing hunger’ or ‘urge’—desire precludes power, dynamite. It leads to ‘heavenly bliss’ or ‘neurosis.’ Lenelle spoke with such fervor and clarity that she easily embodied core ideas of a Haitian expatriate or young girl.
This performance segued into a three-way conversation. Francois Pierre-Louis, associate professor of political science at Queens College had a lot of insight, having worked as a community organizer in Haiti, served in the private cabinet of President Artside, and as an advisor to Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis. He is the author of “Haitians in New York City: Transnationalism and Hometown Associations.”
Dr. Robert Maguire, associate professor of International Affairs and Director of the Haiti program at Trinity Washington University, emphasized the need for a “codependent” relationship between NGOs and the government. In many cases organizations bypass governments and serve to expose or magnify their weaknesses; such is the case with Haiti. He relayed a great quote describing Haitian governmental acts as a “cacophony” that is “flag-draped” and “fails to compensate for a national plan.”
Photos By John Benton
It saddened me to hear these distinguished men admit that the Haitian government “just wasn’t there” during the catastrophe. Many government officials (as well as UN staff) were killed in the earthquake. Nikolas Kozloff, an expert on South America and former fellow at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, who wrote “Hugo Chavez: Oil, Politics and the Challenge to the US and Revolution” commented on the effects of U.S intervention in South America. If it plays a major role, it may raise suspicions from the surrounding socialist governments. Tensions existed between the U.S. and Venezuela even before the earthquake. Venzuela, one of Haiti’s biggest creditors, just recently forgave the nation’s debt of approximately $295 million.
Photographer Tiani Markova-Gold’s large-scale images of Haitian bathers caught guest’s attention before and after the dialogue. Markova-Gold is a contributing artist to the Art for Haiti auction, organized by the Nymphoto Collective. The online auction starts on February 27th 2010 and will donate 100% of the proceeds to Partners in Health.
The question and answer period was particularly lively—audience members hailed from organizations such as Partners in Health and the New York-based Haiti Support Project. Their questions and clarifications were as well-informed as the speakers.
Another Haiti event?! Yes, indeed, at our February 23rd salon we will talk about Haiti’s reconstruction because it is vitally important. RSVP here to secure your place. The event will also be streamed live on FORA.tv. If you can’t attend, watch it online, and participate in the conversation.
Why should you care? You’ve probably already donated to the cause. You may have even attended a fundraiser or lecture of some sort. You’ve doubtlessly read dozens of detailed articles. But guess what? The reverberations of the earthquake will be felt for quite a while, not only in Haiti, but also in the U.S.
And now that the initial response is over, we at JANERA want to talk about long-term reconstruction and the political repercussions.
Aside from the humanitarian reasons to care, there are many consequences from the earthquake that may directly affect your life: mass Haitian migration, a prolonged U.S. military presence on the island, and Chavez’s wrath, to name a few.
Haiti’s reconstruction is only starting now, and this is when farsighted thinking and discussion become important. What are the long-term consequences of an American military presence in the region? How will Chavez react to that? Will he tamper with oil supplies? When, if ever, will Haiti be able to stand on its own feet? Can Haitians seize this catastrophe as an opportunity to pull themselves out of poverty, the drug trade, and widespread childhood slavery?
We aim to provide you with food for thought, while you enjoy yourself in the gorgeous Wall & Water Lounge at the new Andaz Wall Street. Nikolas Kozloff, author of “Hugo Chavez, Oil, Politics, and the Challenges to the U.S.” will talk to Bob Maguire, who is the Director of the Haiti Program at Trinity Washington University in D.C., and Chair of the U.S. Institute of Peace’s Haiti Working Group.
The conversation will be moderated by Haitian-American François Pierre-Louis, Associate Professor at CUNY and specialized in Caribbean and Haitian Politics.
Our program will open with the captivating Haitian-American slam-poet Lenelle Moise. She has performed among others on the U.N.’s stage and at New York’s Culture Project.
We will discuss these questions, and more, on February 23rd with
Bob Maguire, Director of the Haiti Program at Trinity Washington University in D.C., where he is a professor of International Affairs, and Chair of the U.S. Institute of Peace’s Haiti Working Group,
and Nikolas Kozloff, author of “Hugo Chavez, Oil, Politics, and the Challenge to the U.S.”
The conversation will be moderated by François Pierre-Louis Associate Professor at CUNY, specialized in Caribbean and Haitian Politics.
Lenelle Moise, a Haitian-American poet and performance artist, will recite a few of her poems to open the program.
Details:
- Tuesday February 23rd, 2010
- 6pm Cocktails
- 7pm Performance & Conversation
- The Wall & Water Lounge at the new Andaz on 75 Wall Street
- price $40 in advance ($50 at the door – cash only)
- RSVP here
- Live streaming on FORA.tv starts at 7pm, click here to watch it online
Remember, as a member you get discounts to our events, and are guaranteed a space! And, when you join you gain access to a close-knit network of globally aware individuals. Click here for details and to claim your spot. Join TODAY!
Bathing/Benyen, Tiana Markova-Gold, 2004
To top it off, Nymphoto, a collective of women photographers, is running an online auction from 27 February to 7 March to benefit Partners in Health in Haiti. Nymphoto is putting some interesting pieces on sale, and this could be a good opportunity for you to buy a piece of art that would normally go for a much higher price.
