Stories about Haiti from January, 2009
French Caribbean: Carnival 2009 is launched
Carnival is a tradition, a part of every West Indian soul and the French Caribbean is no exception. Here is a review of blogs from Martinique, French Guiana, Haiti and Guadeloupe, which highlights the features of Carnival there.
Haiti: Mardi Gras
The Haitian Blogger offers a glimpse into Mardi Gras celebrations on the island.
Haiti, U.S.A.: Obama & Abortion
Haitian diaspora blogger Finian says: “This is where Obama loses my support. I believe abortion on demand is wrong.”
Haiti, U.S.A.: Retro Rhetoric?
The Haitian Blogger takes issue with some of the content of Barack Obama's inaugural speech, calling it “reminiscent of his predecessor”: “I wonder when the ‘West’ will accept some of the blame for the ill will that it has garnered for its actions in the global south and in the...
Caribbean: Obama's Day
Like the rest of the world, the eyes of the Caribbean were on Washington, DC yesterday, as Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Regional and diaspora bloggers - for the most part - could not contain their enthusiasm over this history-making moment.
Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti: War Zone
“I imagine the people of Gaza must feel reassured that so many thousands of people around the world have taken to their streets demanding an end to the madness”: Attillah Springer joins a London demonstration, even as she laments that is it “too ridiculous to imagine that Trinidadians will ever...
Haiti: Haitian Art
“Art is Haiti's only inexhaustible resource. When others use the tired phrase ‘Haiti – the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere’, let us counter that Haiti is the culturally richest country in the Western Hemisphere instead”: Haiti Innovation invites you to experience Haitian art.
Bahamas, Cuba: The Revolution
“Let me say right now that I am sceptical, and deeply so, of those who denigrate Castro’s Cuba, especially those of us in The Bahamas who do so”: Nicolette Bethel says that “in most cases the arguments offered to display the inferiority of the Cuban revolution are not arguments at...
Americas: Celebrating the Visit of the Three Kings
The holiday season continues across the Americas, even as Christmas and the New Year holiday have all passed. In many countries in the region, the feast of “Los Reyes Magos” (The Three Kings) is an equally important festivity in many households. The day falls around the time of Epiphany and is celebrated on January 6th. Some of the region's bloggers recall the traditions in their own countries.
Celebrating the Epiphany in Haiti
Haitian blogger J’ai découvert [Fr] writes about celebrating the Epiphany in Port-au-Prince. “The holiday still remains controversial in Haiti for the country's three most popular religions (Protestantism, Catholicism, and Voodism).”
Cuba: The Revolution, 50 Years After
January 1st 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Bloggers from across the region took note of the occasion, with the voices of the Cuban diaspora being some of the most outspoken.
Haiti: 205th Anniversary of Haitian Independence
After the disasters they went through in 2008, Haitian people celebrated the start of 2009 more or less happily - in Haiti, January 1st marks not only New Year, but also the date when in 1804, the island got independence from France, becoming the first black democracy in the world. Some French-speaking Haitian bloggers pay homage to the anniversary, while preparing themselves for the difficulties their country will have to face in the future...
Haiti: The Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Blogger discusses the 205th anniversary of the Haitian Revolution, adding: “As Haitians begin another year under UN occupation, they wonder when the struggle will be over.”