HaÏti-Haitii?
Philosophical Reflections for Mental Decolonization
By Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s book, HaÏti-Haitii? has strengthened my ideas about Haiti, colonialism, and his commitment to staying true in his struggle for Haitians true freedom.
The book reads as a series of meditations and simple poems punctuated by blistering proverbs, as the Haitian way of teaching, the African way of teaching. Reading it one learns not just about Haitian history and politics, but of the mindsets of colonialists, mental slaves, and free men and women. It is built on the resounding principle that freedom of body is not enough, freedom of the mind will provide a clarity that can show a road towards liberation and clear map showing how to get there. It is divided into two sections.
The first section gives the reader a foundation in Haitian truths. It begins with the earthquake of 2010,
“An earthquake unlike any other earthquake turned
Haiti upside down in death, calamity,
Catastrophe, despair, screams and cadavers.”
And then winds back through the history of Haiti from its 1804 revolt for freedom, a successful struggle that the Haitians have been being punished for winning since that time.
“After 206 years of liberty
Haiti still pays because
It dared risk death
In purging both slavery and colonialists
To give liberty to all people.”
In terse, clear prose he describes the how and why of Haiti’s historical poverty and oppression. He linguistically parses the word Haiti in terms of African roots “hai” do not “tii” obey, Haitii: Do not obey.
He then gives a thoughtful and searing interpretation of the Black Code enforced on the Haitian blacks, from religion used as an oppressive cudgel, to ideas around profit and property. Each article is presented and then Aristide offers a response, usually with at least one African and/or Haitian proverb embedded in the reflection.
For example
Article 24
“…slavemasters cannot offer slaves the possibility to earn
money during the week in exchange for giving them food…”
Learn to understand
The rope tied around the slave’s neck was already tight
Article 24 adds another knot.
Every word from the white colonist’s mouth
Is another knot that tightens the noose.
Lililo moyoni ulimi buiba.
The tongue steals what is in the heart.
Aristide continues considering the article and then ends with another proverb.
Heri kufa macho kulikokufa moyo.
Better the death of the eye than the death of the spirit.
Or
Article 44
“…We decree that slaves are property (furniture)…”
Slaves are furniture
Slaves are furniture! Oaky! You say it, it is done!
I heard it, it’s done. Slaves are furniture.
When you want to sit, you sit on me.
When you want to lie down, you lie down on me.
To buy me you go to the market;
You sell me with no qualms
Because you have openly declared
That slaves are furniture…
Kumwashia taa kipofu ni kuharibu mafuta
Lighting a lantern for a blind person is a waste of kerosene.
Aristide goes deeper into the article and then ends this reflection speaking to the colonizers,
“My upbringing doesn’t allow me tell you what I want to tell you.
Go away! Go ad ask your mother to explain what I mean.”
After some searing thoughts on the difference between someone who is truly free and someone who is free in body but a mental slave, Aristide begins part two which is a linguistic treatise on
“Swahili and Kreyol words for mnemonics or linguistic roots. “
He starts with Baraka, blessing in Swahili
“It requires intelligence and blessing to be a barak
Or in Kreyol: Fȯk yon barak gen itelijans ak benediksyon.”
You can see the Swahili and French folded into the phrase. Each well chosen aphorism provides not just insights into Aristide’s philosophy and the Haitian ethos, but knowledge about how language and culture is transmitted.
He ends this section with two poems
“Behind HaÏti there is Haitii
If behind mountains there are mountains,
Behind HaÏti there is Haitii”
Returning the reader to the idea of Haitians telling each other “Do not obey.” And then in a way fitting of his training as a minister ends with love in a poem to Mother Africa.
This is a slim and enriching volume if you want to better understand Haiti, colonialism, the striving for freedom, and Aristide himself.
If you are interested in knowing more about what is happening in Haiti I encourage you to attend the zoom benefit for Haiti being held July 31st.
If you cannot attend the benefit or missed it you can go to
The Haitian Emergency Relief Fund (an organization that funds grassroots organizations that are actually serving the Haitian people.) and donate. Your support will make a difference.