Criticism - Haiti Observer Blog

It is always thought wiser to teach a man to fish than to hand him one. This is a sentiment that Jean Dominique shaped his career around upon returning to Haiti from private school in France. Working with the poor, he took his training in agronomy to teach the peasantry how to sustain themselves through skillful use of the land.

Because of his efforts, which included showing peasant farmers how to avoid being in debt to wealthy landowners, Dominique was imprisoned for six months due to the connivance of the landowners who convinced the authorities to jail him so they could hold on to their control over the peasants. Upon his release from jail, he became a fierce detractor of François 'Papa Doc' Duvalier and his militant regime.

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The Haitian president Michel Martelly has received criticism for his move to censor carnival songs from Don Kato and others.

Carnival songs have in the past been performed to denounce bad governance and moon politicians. Carnival songs have also in the past been used to predict the political future of Haiti.

Martelly is now against carnival singers who are against his own governance. In his move Martelly has banned some artists from participating in this year's carnival festival, one of which is the popular musician Don Kato.

Before being a president, Martelly was himself a carnival singer; criticizing every poor government. Now the president is being accused of contradicting himself by trying to censor artist for doing what he did in the past.

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What do you do when someone posts something on your facebook page that you don't like? you just delete it.

According to information obtained by the "Haitian Joudalist", this is exactly what the Haitian president did recently when someone posted a comment saying that the people are waiting for him to declare his assets.

Here is the exact comment that appeared on the Facebok page of President Michel Martelly and was deleted, according to the website: defend.ht: "President, the people are waiting for you to declare your assets and for you to make your education initiative transparent so that the world can begin showing faith in the Haitian government. You are always saying that it is you who is president...lead by example Mr. President! Conille seems to lead the way by declaring his assets!"

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