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Carolyn Desert
H Mystique
L'union Fait la Force
Miss Haiti
Miss Haiti 2014
Miss Haiti Committee
Reina Hispanoamericana
Sunday night the Haitian Hotline was all a fluttery with the
news of newly crowned Miss Haiti, Carolyn Desert, and her decision to terminate
her contract with the Miss Haiti Committee.
I debated long and hard on whether or not to give the subject any light,
let alone if I should even give it any thought at all. Wanting to avoid it or not, the last three
days people in Haiti can talk about much else.
The “facts” are sketching and the lines, like in all dramas,
are quite blurred. From my vantage
point, I can say that I have not seen a Miss Haiti pageant run and held in the
manner that the Miss Haiti 2014 was.
Critics may argue and site the things that went wrong, but let’s just start
by saying before this year it had been a very long time since Haiti had seen an
official pageant. There was a campaign put
in place, women registered, contestants chosen, and then an actual gala Miss
Haiti pageant was held and Carolyn Desert was crowned. Unlike the past “pageants” there were no controversies
that ensued, no calls of foul play. That
in itself, in Haiti, is a feat.
Monday morning on my way to take a friend to the airport, I
tuned into 90.1 just in time to hear ChoKarelLa host, Carel Pedre announce that
he would be interviewing Miss Haiti. Minutes
later Carel dials a call and soon Carolyn Desert is on the line. Carel begins the interview by asking about
her trip, the pageant, and how is she feeling to be back. Miss Haiti was in Bolivia competing in the Reina Hispanoamericana 2014 pageant,
where she actually placed 3rd, also winning Best Smile. The importance of this honor for Haiti, has
all been but overshadowed by this break-up turned controversy.
The phone interview with Desert went quite long. She went into details, siting several examples
in which she felt the committee had dropped the ball, and at the end left her
with the feeling of having no support.
Since that interview, Desert has gone on to make videos, social media
post, more radio interviews, and has also reinstated her gofundme page to tell her story and to garnish public
assistance as she continues on her journey for Miss World in London.
A few days later, in the mist of a seemingly growing controversy,
the Miss Haiti Committee released a written response. The committee stated their defense, complete
with conversation dates, and specific timeline of events. Admirably, the committee does make mention
that there are certain things they could have handled better. And after all there
is always 3-sides to a story, so we know there is no one culprit.
But at the end of the day, all parties must keep in mind; one
thing and one thing only, this is about Haiti.
When what should be private discussions are played out on social media
for all the world to see, it is not about getting what you want, but about the credibility
and the value of all Haitians that you are putting up for ridicule. You may lose sight of just who is watching
and what their take away message is, but as someone who grew up in the Diaspora
and had to fight against negative stereotypes, I know what negative press can
do. This outward bickering and airing of
our dirty laundry in public, does nothing to help that young Haitian in New
York, or the little girl in Haiti hoping for better.
Miss Haiti 2014 seems determined to compete in Miss
World. It is my hope that all parties
involved, can come together for the greater good and the image of Haiti. It maybe that too much has been said, and not
enough time to mend. Then I would humbly
suggest to Miss Haiti that you do get a team, for you cannot do it alone. Make sure those advising you really have your
best interest in mind, and not their own agenda. Elicit help, not from friends, but from those
who know how and are really equipped to handle your finances, logistics and your
public image. At the end of the day, as
you so often say, you are doing this not for you but for Haiti. It may mean having to make compromises and concessions,
but at all times it means keeping the crown in mind, and conducting yourself in
a manner befitting Miss Haiti, the queen that you are.
L'union Fait la Force
By Mystique
ALSO AT:
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