Pizza & Politics

So who comes to Haiti and eats pizza, apparently I do. But in my defense, it wasn’t a Chicago deep dish or New York thin crust but a Haitian style of “liquid pizza”. Saturday night, I went to dinner with my host Elodie and a couple of her friends to Pizza Garden restaurant and lounge. It was perfect weather for the outdoor patio set up and conversation that ensued.

Pizza Garden

It amazes me how informed those abroad are about American politics and current events. And even more shocking is how little I knew about Haiti. My decision to do the fellowship in Haiti was motivated by what I felt was our shared experience with natural disasters, comparable Caribbean cultures, and desire to deepen my understanding of the plight of Haiti from what was once considered the “pearl of Antilles” to being know today as the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

Saturday night I got the answer to my question, politics and economics.

"Liquid Pizza"

However, the stories my dinner companions shared with me on this history of Haiti since the 18^th century complicates the simplicity of Haiti’s current state resulting from just a matter of self-inflicted politics and economics but a myriad of obstacles.

(Note - this is a brief and unofficial account of Haiti’s history)

Under French rule, Haiti’s sugar and coffee exports provided for approximately 40 percent of all sugar and 60 percent of all coffee consumed in Europe. Following the revolution, in 1804, Haiti was place under an international boycott of goods and commerce to limit influence for slave uprisings in other countries. Coupled with this, France would not recognize Haiti independence until indemnities were paid for lands of former slave owners taken over after the revolution. Haiti debt to France was not paid until 1922. Additionally, the United States occupation of Haiti from 1915 until 1934 and ongoing aid to the country are also cited as impediments to Haiti’s economic position.

Will, Me, Reggie, Elodie

I think of this in terms of the game of Monopoly. Image that you have to sit out the first 10 rounds before you are invited to participate. By this time, all of the real estate has been bought; all the resources have been divided up.  When your starting position is so far behind everyone else’s you spend all your time just trying to stay a float, never mind trying to catch up or even getting ahead.

And add to this equation, Haiti’s internal issues with divisions amongst its elite and working class, political insatiability, government corruption, inability to complete globally, lack of social infrastructure, high unemployment, and most recently the 2010 earth quake that killed hundred of thousands of people, displaced over one million and practically leveled the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

 

Downtown Port-au-Prince

As the country rebuilds itself, there remains hope in the unseen.  The feeling I get being in Haiti is the same that I felt when I moved to New Orleans in 2011. There is something happening here, something good. That desire for one New Orleans, better than before is the same desire here in Haiti.

So all in all, it was great night out and as for the pizza, it’s definitely an acquired taste.