Talking Haiti with Farah Larrieux

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - November 24, 2011

By Alexander Britell

Earlier this year, “Haiti Journal” debuted on WPBT South Florida, a new television programme focusing on issues of Haiti and the Haitian-American community in South Florida. The show, which is jointly produced by WPBT and the Haitian-American Professionals Coalition, is headed by Farah Larrieux, a longtime and well-known host in Haiti at Telemax, Vision 2000, Radio Signal FM and Radio Planet Kreyol. Caribbean Journal talked to Larrieux about the new programme, how the show began and the process of reconstruction in Haiti.

How did the idea for the show come about?

I’ve been collaborating with WPBT on a volunteer basis, for information and contact with the Haitian community, for the past four years. It’s been 2 years since I’m a member of the Haitian-American Professionals Coalition, which is the program’s co-producer, and. Last year, I got the idea to produce a radiothon and telethon to raise money to help the victims of the earthquake. I submitted the idea to the board of HAPC. They approved it. I was thinking about WPBT as a partner on the project. So I met with Jack Kelly, the Vice-President of production and said I’d like to have them as a partner. But he explained to me that because of their license, they couldn’t help on the telethon project. This is when Jack found out that I used to be a TV host in Haiti, and Jack came up with the idea to produce a program called Haiti Journal, where we would talk about the issues in the Haitian community of South Florida and also in Haiti. He proposed me as the host, and I was very surprised. Then he submitted a proposal to the Coalition, and they agreed, and signed the contract.

What kind of response have you gotten so far?

Well, we have good feedback from the community, because it ‘s a show produced by WPBT and we know the impact of WPBT in the community of South Florida. And since we are a coalition of 14 associations, everybody is delighted to see the partnership, and also to address, in English, the issues of the Haitian Community of South Florida and of Haiti. There are so many questions and no answers, and on this show we bring guests who know about the topics. People also like the idea of showing another type of Haitian – professionals, experts, community leaders, advocates who are thinking(concerned) about their community . The show has gotten good feedback, not only from Haitians but also from non-Haitians.

Do you think there should be more English-language coverage of Haiti?

Definitely – we should definitely have more programs like that, both in the South Florida and worldwide. In my opinion, we have many shows addressing the issue of the Haitian community only in Creole. It’s good, but it’s also good to speak a language that non-Haitians can understand what’s going on, and understand the issues, so they can also have their own judgments and learn what the challenges of Haiti are and of the Haitian community of South Florida. So we should definitely have more conversations like that, so we can address more topics.

What have you heard from guests about the process of reconstruction?

The reconstruction process is very slow, for different reasons. There’s also a lack of leadership still, and we hope that the new government would be able to tackle the challenges. There was the election after the earthquake, then the drama during the elections, and it took about five months for the new president to install a new government and a new prime minister, so it took about 21 months. So right now, I think that we are on the right path, and they can start moving things faster, and we can change the situation for millions of victims. So I think the overall opinion that we have from the guests is the same: the process is very slow, and there is so much that needs to be done. So hopefully, by next year at this time, we will have better results and we will see progress.

What do you think is the perception of Haiti right now?

The first thing is, people feel like there’s no leadership, it’s like there’s no responsible Haitians capable to resolve the issues of the country, and no leaders who have the willingness to make the country the way it’s supposed to be, and to unify all the talents and resources from professionals to change that. So that’s the first thing that people think. As a nation,we have our challenges, but we also have great things. We are also unique with our culture. Our arts which are well-known on the international market. There are also many Haitians who are excelled in different areas around the world. For example, Michaelle Jean [the former Canadian Governor General]. This is something that we are lacking to show – that people don’t see.

People just see the poorest country of the hemisphere, and they don’t see that there are people in Haiti that work hard and that are very courageous.

That’s why I’m so delighted to host Haiti Journal, because we want to bring the best Haitians experts who can talk about different issues concerning the Haitian community of South Florida and in Haiti. So the viewer can be impressed and have a better understanding of our challenges. For example, you have a Haitian urban planner working on million dollars project for Broward County – if you put the same expert in Haiti, you could imagine the potential to change the infrastructure there. Why do we have to bring in non-Haitians to come into the country to build our nation? Why do we have non-Haitians designing our education curriculum? We have Haitians who are capable of tackling the problems of Haiti – if we give them the chance to do it we will see the real change. It is unfortunate that everything is politics in Haiti when the people are suffering.

Popular Posts ian fleming villa with beach and green trees

American Airlines Begins New Ocho Rios, Jamaica Flights, With a Nod to James Bond 

Ian Fleming began writing the book that would become Casino Royale at his seaside villa in the town of Oracabessa, Jamaica in February 1952.  It was here on the outskirts of Ocho Rios that Fleming would forge the story of […]


A New All-Inclusive W Hotel Is Opening This Year in Punta Cana 

w punta cana

The first-ever all-inclusive W Hotel in the Caribbean is opening this year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The hotel, part of a broad expansion for parent company Marriott International, is on the list of expected 2024 […]


Why Grenada Is a New Caribbean Luxury Hotspot

beach house silversands

From its world-renowned chocolate to its pristine beaches to a region-leading focus on sustainability, Grenada is as fascinating and unique as destination as you’ll find in the Caribbean.  But in the last few years, the lush Eastern Caribberan island has […]


Related Posts haiti spirit airlines cap-haitien

Spirit Relaunches Flights to Cap-Haitien, Haiti

Spirit Airlines has relaunched its flights from Fort Lauderdale to Cap-Haitien on the northern coast of Haiti.  The low-cost carrier resumed the service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Cap-Haitien International Airport on Dec. 3.  The service is the only […]


Eastern Airlines Is Launching Flights to the Dominican Republic

dominican republic eastern airlines

The revived Eastern Airlines is back in the Caribbean.  The new iteration of the once-legendary carrier is set to launch expanded Caribbean flights in December with service to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  Eastern Airlines will be launching twice-weekly flights from […]


From The Bahamas to Jamaica, The Talking Heads’ Caribbean Love Story

bahamas talking heads jamaica

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz’s new book, Remain in Love, is a billet-doux to his bandmate and wife of more than 40 years, bassist Tina Weymouth, as well as documenting the couple’s musical journey together — first, as part of […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You