Haitians, why?

Question

I've just read a book by Edwidge Danticat "Krik? Krak!" wonderful novel by the way, and was wondering if it's true that the Haitians are at odds with the Bahamians? If this is the wrong group, please excuse me for my ignorance as I don't know much about Haiti and its people....okay honestly, I don't know anything about the country or the people...only what I've read through books written by this wonderful author mentioned above...so would anyone of Haitian decent care to educate me on this matter and the matters of the "macoutes," federation, and the meaning of these lyrics, "Beloved Haiti, there is no place like you. I had to leave you before I could understand you...."

Thanks.

Answer 1

I've heard of Edwidge Danticat but never read her books. I know nothing about Haitians being at odds with Bahamians and what nonconformist said about the "macoute" is close enough.
So I'll only tell you about those lyrics:
"Beloved Haiti, there is no place like you. I had to leave you before I could understand you...."

Actually it's a translation of a popular Haitian song
"Ayiti cheri pi bèl peyi pase ou nan pwen
Fòk mwen te kite'w pou mwen te kapab konprann valè'w..."

(Or is it a Harry Belafonte song....)

Anyway it's a song that expresses nostalgia of the people who left Haiti, they're homesick.

Answer 2

If you liked Danicat , you also read the books by :
Rene Despestre
Jacques Roumain
and Dany Laferriere

I don't think Haiti are at odds with the Bahamians.
Maybe it's a little bit of the reverse, because , they are many illegal Haitians living in Bahamas. . Some boat people , land there thinking they have reached the Florida Keys,or use the Bahamas as a steping stome to get to the States.

Tonton Macoutes ][Haitian Creole,=bogeymen], personal police force of dictator Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) of Haiti. Unpaid volunteers who were directly responsible only to Duvalier, they were given virtual license to torture, kill, and extort. They murdered hundreds of Duvalier's opponents, sometimes publicly hanging the corpses as warnings. After Papa Doc's death (1971), his son Jean-Claude Duvalier (Baby Doc) changed their name to the National Security Volunteers, though they continued to terrorize the citizenry. After the overthrow of Baby Doc (1986), although officially disbanded, the group continued to spread terror.
The Macoute is actually a straw bag carried by peasants,

"Beloved Haiti, there is no place like you. I had to leave you before I could understand you...."

This is a bit of nostalgie by Edwidge , she left Haiti when is was a child

Answer 3

Go visit Haiti, see for yourself. Haitian culture is quite racist. There is a deep rift between European inbred blacks and African blacks. The two groups have been fighting since the slave revolt in the 1800"s. The current ruling class of African blacks have a deep resentment, rightly so, of the colonial blacks. This hatred influences the Haitian economy, educational system, and society. It is truly one messed up country with little hope for the future.

Answer 4

Haitians are not racist