Loren had a soft spot in his heart for Haiti. So did our mom, who spent time there many years ago with her sister Loretta (who is still going strong at 93). It's something else Loren and I shared. That’s why I wrote about Haiti from time to time, always looking forward to more discussions with Loren. And that’s why I know he would have loved the news that Wyclef Jean, son of a preacher, hip-hop artist, Haitian-American, applied to be a candidate for Haiti's 2010 presidential election on November 26 to replace current president Rene Preval.
Jean’s been away from Haiti for a long time. He moved to the U.S. with his family when he was 9 years old, first to Brooklyn, then to New Jersey. He became a Jersey boy, the Haitian equivalent of Bruce Springsteen.
He began his career as a member of the NJ hip hop group the Fugees, and is now a popular solo artist. He has contributed much to Haiti over the years, and he joined the international philanthropic efforts after the devastating earthquake that killed thousands and left more homeless. I’m not sure where all that money went, or where it is going. Has there been any progress?
The Electoral Council in Haiti, however, just ruled that Wyclef Jean does not meet the strict residency requirement because he hasn’t lived in Haiti for five consecutive years. It’s no small matter, I suppose, that the members of this council were all appointed by president Preval.
Haiti has been rudderless for so long that I thought maybe a new voice on the horizon would make a difference. I was wondering what Loren thought. Wyclef Jean says his vision is "to restore pride and hope for Haiti and to regain the deep spirit and strength that is part of our heritage." That must be music to Haitians’ ears. Let’s hope whoever becomes Haiti’s new president shares this dream, and listens to the same music.
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