Haitians commonly say: Nou sot Lafrik Ginen meaning we are descendants of West Africa. The truth in these words is now reported in a landmark article on the origin of humans published in the journal Science. Tishkoff of the University of Pennsylvania led the largest study to evaluate the genetic composition of Africans and found that Africans have the largest amount of variation in the composition of their genes. Gene variation in a population accumulates over time and is called biodiversity. Africans have the largest biodiversity because they are the world’s oldest population. The study reports that modern humans first appeared in the Namibia region of Africa 200,000 years ago and then dispersed. The study also found that in general the different categories of languages spoken in Africa matches how different subgroups dispersed throughout the continent. The study provides details about the origins of the Foula, the Ibo, the Kongo people and so forth. This information about these various nanchons or ethnic groups is crucial for understanding the genetic make-up of people of African ancestry in the Americas. The study evaluated a sample of African Americans and found that their genes come mostly from West Africa, called Ginen in the 17th century. Eight percent of their genes come from elsewhere in Africa and 13% come from Europe. No Native American genes were found in their sample. Although the study did not specifically look at Haitians, based on the fact that Haiti and Brazil were the most important destinations for the commerce of people as slaves, we expect that a genetic evaluation of the Haitian population would confirm the Haitian cultural statement that Haiti is a child of West Africa, Haiti se pitit Ginen. As more and more diseases are being linked to the genes that people carry, information on the genetic composition of various populations is of increasing public health value. Ayibobo to this team of scientists for their publication in the April 30, 2009 edition of Science entitled The Genetic Structure and History of Africans and African Americans. www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1172257
Bishop Thomas Wenski requests TPS for Haitian Nationals
In a letter to the editors of the Miami Herald, Thomas Wenski, the Bishop of the Orlando Diocese of the Catholic Church makes an appeal to the Obama administration to grant temporary protected status to Haitian Nationals. Bishop Wenski points out that three key Florida Representatives - Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Lincoln Diaz-Balart - are no longer supporting the bill to grant TPS to Haiti. The bill known as the Haitian Protection Act of 2009 has 42 co-sponsors in Congress.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Travels to Haiti
U. S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to Haiti to offer a message of hope. In interviews with the press, she spoke about building Haitian roads, and the importance of the remittances Haitians send back home to Haiti. She also promised sustained U.S. aid to Haiti. But there was no word yet on whether or not the Obama administration will grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to 30,000 Haitian nationals awaiting to be deported.
Pope Benedict Misleads the World
The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict, is misleading the world into thinking that condom use helps spread HIV infection. Hopefully most people will choose to think for themselves and will not seek medical and scientific advice from a spiritual leader. The scientific community has denounced the Pope's statement. (See editorial in www.thelancet.com ). The truth of the matter is that condoms actually help save lives. They also help lessen the number of unwanted pregnancies, and subsequent abortions. In an overpopulated and hungry planet faced with an AIDS epidemic, condoms are a helpful contraceptive, and an effective barrier against the spread of HIV and many other communicable diseases.
Winter 2008-2009
U.N. gives Haiti a window of opportunity
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon (www.un.org) has stated that the U.N. peacekeeping Mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH, can provide the country a window of opportunity within which to rebuild itself.
The Haitian people will be the judge of whether or not MINUSTAH is a blessing or a curse for the country.
Former President Clinton visits Haiti
During his 2-day visit to Haiti (March 9-10), former U.S. President, Bill Clinton (www.clintonglobalinitiative.org ) inspired students by reminding them of their ancestors' victory over slavery and telling them that "the mind and the heart" are Haiti's resources of wealth. Mr. Clinton encouraged investment in Haiti, a country he said he and his wife fell in love with when they first visited 35 years ago . The delegation to Haiti included U.N. Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon (www.un.org ); Musician Wyclef Jean (www.yele.org ); Partners in Health Physician, Paul Farmer (www.pih.org ); and Chairman of Digicel Group, Denis Obrien (www.digicelgroup.com ).
Wyclef defends the human rights of Haitian families
Wyclef Jean ( www.yele.org )has added his voice to the growing chorus of voices asking the U.S. government to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals. Wyclef explains that it is a matter of defending the rights of human beings.
Many activists defending Haiti are urging the United States to: 1.Grant TPS to 30,000 Haitian workers currently in the U.S. 2.Cancel Haiti's debt through the Jubilee Act www.jubileeusa.org 3.Provide Haiti with meaningful foreign assistance like the type of assistance that is given to Israel. See www.aipac.org
The Film "Poto Mitan" empowers Haitian women
The new film, "Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy" gives viewers a glimpse into the lives of five Haitian women as they struggle to find a foothold within the global economy. In their own voices, the women tell us how they cope with low wages and the high cost of living, inadequate social services and privatization, lack of governmental oversight and violence. It is an important movie that exposes the crushing adverse effects of our global economic system. Visit www.potomitan.net to learn more about this film which is narrated by award winning writer, Edwidge Danticat.
Vodou reconnects Haitian-Americans with their roots
According to an article in the Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper ( www.sun-sentinel.com ), there is an emerging interest in Vodou among many young Haitian Americans.
In his first visit to Canada as the Commander in Chief, President Obama met with the Governor General, Michaelle Jean, a native of Haiti who shared with the President her concerns about Haiti's difficulties in overcoming the devastating effects of the global food crisis, the global economic crises, and four back to back hurricanes and tropical storms. Apparently, the Governor General's concerns did not fall on deaf ears as the President invited her to Washington to continue the dialogue.
An optimistic outlook for Haiti
An optimistic report written by Professor Paul Collier for the United Nations outlines Haiti's strengths. Among them:
Haiti is located in a peaceful and wealthy region Haiti does not have internal strife and civil war Haiti has a skilled and active diaspora Haiti's proximity to the United States and other prosperous markets is an advantage
The Haitian government will receive portable classrooms from Miami- Dade and Broward County Florida. The portables will help to increase the number of public facilities available to help educate children in the country. (One note of precaution: the portable classrooms must be inspected to ensure that they are free of mold.)
Haitian government to inspect schools
Goverment officials in Haiti are considering ways to ensure that the approximately 10,000 schools on the island are safe and built according to building codes. Of these 10,000 schools, only about 1,500 schools are public. The majority of the schools in the country are run privately.
"The hunger of the poor is a threat and will continue to be a threat to the happiness of the rich."
These words were spoken by President Rene Preval in his address before the U.N. General Assembly on Friday Sept. 26, 2008. President Preval challenged the diaspora and the world community to commit to long term, consistent help for Haiti. He suggested that we need to move beyond charity to accomplish the difficult work of developing the country.