Very few entertainers-cum-politicians have succeeded in getting it right. Sonny Bono tried. Jerry Springer was once mayor of Cincinnati. Clint Eastwood served one term as the mayor of California. Arnold Schwarzenegger is now governor of California. Now Wyclef Jean has put his proverbial chapeau into the ring for the presidency of Haiti.
I have to admit that I would not have thought that the leader of the Fugees would be my natural choice for the role of continuing the legacy of Toussaint L’Ouverture in this historic first black Republic, walking bravely in the footsteps of Jean Jacques Dessalines to overturn the legacy of poverty and disenfranchisement left by “Papa Doc” and the Duvalier family, and the debris left by the revolving door of pseudo Presidents- Duval and Aristide. After the earthquake, Haiti needs a Saviour. Is Wyclef Jean it?
He certainly thinks he is. Like Caesar before him, he is certainly not scarce in hubris. He acclaimed “America has President Barack Obama, you have Wyclef” when he announced his candidacy for the presidency. I am not one to flaunt education over experience, but it is probably an understatement to claim qualification on the basis of possessing neither. President Obama attended Yale (edited to say Harvard) University. Wyclef allegedly dropped out of Eastern Nazarene College in New Jersey. President Obama was a grassroots leader and governor before he postured for the Presidency. Wyclef has no history of political experience prior to his throwing his gauntlet into this already fragile ring. unless he wishes to claim experience by osmosis as his uncle is the Haitian Ambassador to the US. Wyclef claims that he is qualified because what Haiti needs is a leader. I am sorry, Haiti needs a President. In a country where infrastructure is limiting, the rule of law is weakened, and where citizens are doing without daily necessities, it is even more important that the individuals at the helm have a firm understanding and are fully au fait with the history and struggles of its citizens.
I say this not to say that I do not enjoy Wyclef’s music. He certainly does not ascribe to the BHP (bitches/hos/pussies) genre that teaches 6 year olds how to pop, grind and back that thang up. Perfect Gentleman is a tale of non judgment- he does not criticise the single mother who might be working the streets or the strip joints to put food on the table. (Although it does leads me to ask whether this will be part of his economic rejuvenation policy?) 911 is a great love story. I am grateful for the fact that he experiments with different Caribbean genres- zouk, compas, bachata and folk, in an effort to integrate them into the mainstream. I am proud of his collaborations with legends like Youssou N’dour, and his Sak Passe album in Haitian creole (kweyol). However, is a liking for him and the Fugees really reason enough to give him my support towards becoming Chief Medicine Man to this ailing country?
Maybe it is just me, but it says a lot that his “official” website is hosted on Wordpress. It reveals a certain level of naivete and a decidedly amateur view of the world. The current constitutional objections also cannot be overlooked-all politicians must act within the law. It is alleged that the constitution sets out that candidates should have spent the last five years on the island. If the rules are broken for him, it does not augur well for Haiti's rebuilding- it sends a deep message that some people are above regulation and above the State. This is, may I posit, dangerous. Then, there are all the allegations of siphoning monies off Yele Haiti. The actual accounts were filed 2 years late, and evidenced payments made to Wyclef himself for appearances for concerts and rental obligations. Stealing or misdirecting money away from poor people is not only a terrible look, it is unethical and unpardonable when these people are Haitians. It is not clear how true these allegations are, and how serious the violations were given that the foundation was only still in its early stages so I won't judge until all the facts have come to light. There may have been some naivete over what was actually allowed, but these sorts of errors leave a certain sour taste in one's mouth that is hard to overcome even with the sweetness of these new promises. It has been reported that one of his houses faced foreclosure and The Smoking Gun also reported that he owed almost $2.1 million in taxes. This would not be the behaviour or qualities that I would expect of a housemate, much less a leader. He doesn’t speak French and his Creole is halting. How will he be able to negotiate with and to speak to his own people? Sean Penn also claimed that Wyclef arrived in an entourage of luxury vehicles in the midst of all the carnage wreaked upon the island by the earthquake, which revealed a lack of tact. I believe it because this lack of tact is typical of the nouveau bourgeoisie- the arrivistes, the “never see come see” emigrant generation who sometimes wish to impress (sometimes non-existing) wealth on the ones left behind. In my eyes, this tarnishes him even more than the corruption allegations- one can never compensate for a lack of true empathy.
I can certainly see Wyclef’s appeal to the young people of Haiti. It is tempting to cast him in the role of Prodigal Son, clothe him with a robe, and hope that he does his best. However, Haiti needs more than hope. Haiti needs a President who understands its laws, legislations and policies. Haiti needs a leader with a clean slate, whose legacy will not be marred by rumours of non accountability. Haiti, most of all, over all other Caribbean countries, needs an action plan and someone with a proven track record who will be able to deliver. The people of Haiti cannot and should not pay for its leader’s apprenticeship.
Pras, his ex- bandmate, and the best man at his wedding said it best:
“As much as I love Wyclef, I want to make this clear: I would rather lose Wyclef as a friend, brother, and save a nation of 10 million Haitians. I'd rather have them be liberated, rather than have them go down off a cliff and not be saved, just to keep a friend”
The more burning question is that if Wyclef is not the one, who is? Michel Martelly, known as Sweet Micky, Kompas music star? He has been working in the community for over seventeen years on environmental protection issues and disaster relief, but is this enough at this crucial juncture in Haiti’s history? He has been extremely friendly with members of Haiti’s turbulent government. Is this the clean break that Haiti needs? Jacques Edouard Alexis was Prime Minister in 2000 and 2001 and he is extremely qualified in Agronomy and Harvest Technology. However his past efforts, such as his failure to respond quickly enough to food riots marked his downfall. Charles Baker, a local businessman, certainly seems honest but does his plans to focus on security, order, discipline and respect sound uncannily like the reintroduction of a police State? Only time knows. This election is important. It is the basis of hope towards the restoration of democracy and the start of the struggle for peace, reconciliation and prosperity. All we can do is hope that Haiti is not let down. Again.
