Shock-Doctrine Schooling in Haiti: Neoliberalism Off the Richter Scale

[EFerrari]

By Jesse Hagopian, Common Dreams, Friday, September 9, 2011

Two Days before the earthquake, my one-year-old son and I accompanied my wife to Haiti for an HIV training course she was to conduct. Two days after surviving the quake, we drove into the center of Port-au-Prince from the Pétionville district, where we had been staying, and passed a school that had completely collapsed.

What the 2010 earthquake in Haiti did to the island nation's education system may, in the long run, be less damaging than what privatization advocates, backed by powerful foreign interests, may do.

I remember successfully convincing myself as we drove by that not one student or teacher was struck by the chunks of drab-gray cinderblock that lay scattered in the courtyard. As a Seattle Public Schools teacher myself, I could not allow the image of being trapped with my students under the debris of the school to enter my thoughts, and I managed to become certain that no one had been in the building when it collapsed. After spending the prior two days wrapping countless children's bloodied appendages with bed sheets, I needed the peace of mind that these students lived.

But even teachers get the answers wrong. Upon returning to Seattle and reviewing the statistics, it seems increasingly likely that my confidence in the well-being of that school community was more coping mechanism than fact.


http://canadahaitiaction.ca/content/shock-doctrine-schooling-haiti-neoliberalism-richter-scale

[Bacchus39]

1. more pertinent info from the article

Governments the world over owe a debt to Haiti that is long past due -- some from a history of direct colonial control or later economic subjugation, and some from failing to honor pledges made in the aftermath of the earthquake. If these debts were repaid, that would be the basis for constructing a world-class education system.

The balance owed should be deposited directly with the Haitian government to build a public school system accountable to the country's citizens, not private interests. Haitian schools must be built immediately, in permanent, earthquake-resistant, hurricane-safe, world-class facilities that are free for all to attend. In this vision for the country's public schools, they would serve as a focal point for Haitian society, where clean water and free meals could be organized and distributed to families.

------------------

I never hear about Latin American countries asking reparations from Spain or Portugal regarding their situation.

[EFerrari]

2. Because those countries were not forced to buy their freedom

from literal slavery as Haiti was by France. Obviously.

[Bacchus39]

3. their issue is with France then and although the article states the world owes Haiti....

I would support France financing Haiti's development in education and all other sectors. I would support the US stepping aside.

as far as I know Spain did not require payment for loss of their former colonies and "property", and the hispanoparlante countries did not make payment. so again, Haiti's issue is with France.

[EFerrari]

4. Reparations are mostly owed by France.

There may be outstanding issues from the first US occupation of Haiti, as well. And the author is correct that pledges made and funds raised after the earthquake are mostly outstanding.

I read that almost half of American households donated to Haiti after the quake. Where is that money? Haitians will never see it, Haiti is an occupied country. In fact, there were big demonstrations today and the UN troops were using gas, water cannons and live rounds. I'm trying to figure out how many people got killed and injured.

Haiti has been used as a cash cow by the Western powers. They took her from being the jewel of the Caribbean to being a near Somalia in this hemisphere. The sooner they stop "helping" her, the better.

[Bacchus39]

5. donated disaster aid is commendable

it should be dispensed efficiently and, yes, more rapidly. but still efficiently.

on the other hand, while Haiti should be grateful for the aid, living on handouts is no way to run a country.

Haiti was the jewel of the Caribbean during the colonial period with slavery. Haiti was the most productive colony in the hemisphere due to its great agricultural production. I don't think a return to plantation slavery is the answer for Haiti. sugar and fruit production in Haiti will no longer provide great economic benefit as their is ample competition from other countries. No going back to that.

and of course, only the wealthy class/slave owners and France benefited from Haiti during the colonial period. the Haitian slaves obviously did not.

[EFerrari]

6. Bill Clinton destroyed Haiti's ag sector with cheap grain .

Before that, Haiti produced 80% of its own food needs.

The crimes against Haiti have been serial and unending since colonial times and they continue today.

[Bacchus39]

7. I think you mean rice perhaps?? was Haiti pre-Clinton what you consider the "jewel period"?

anyway, Haiti should use the donated funds to purchase food stores for several years and reinvest in their agriculture, then reinstate the trade barriers to foreign imported food stuffs. I'd be all for that.