By: Marie Marthe Saint Cyr
Today is International Peace
Day. In honor of each of our brothers and sisters in Haiti, I would like
to call for peace in Haiti. I know that
most of you reading this note may not think that Haiti is at war and that this
call for peace is somewhat unnecessary. In reality though, the ever-smiling
and resilient people of Haiti have faced many great wars - the war of
deliberation from slavery, the fight for sovereignty and now the war to enjoy
this hard fought freedom. Day in and day out, the Haitian people are
denied basic human rights: the right to food, to shelter, to education – the right
to survival.
This struggle to survive is a
battle that wages on in the rural countryside, in the tent cities – throughout Haiti.
Declaring victory and peace means reclaiming the land their ancestors died for
and growing food for their families. Who is the enemy? The enemy is
the everpresent flood of imports in the local marketplace that continually
undercut small farmers’ ability to sell their goods. The enemy is the
lack of interest and accountability from government. The enemy is the
lack of support and resources available for the future generations.
Hosting three carnivals a year
will not bring peace against the rising cost of living, against the high
unemployment rate, against the threat of natural disasters and the complete
absence of a plan for a sustainable future. These substantial barriers
and challenges can only be met through policies that work to deliver improved watershed
management, alternative energy sources, promotion and protection of the
environment, access to education and a commitment to strengthening local
agriculture. Only then will Haiti begin
to realize peace.
If peace is reflected in the
unity of a people, the caring for one another’s wellbeing, and protecting the
land that harbors their dreams - then let peace reign over our people. If
peace achieved by honoring the wisdom acquired over years of experience, then
let the hour of peace sound today for all Haitians. If peace enlightens
the mind, let our pathway to unity shine.
