Book

When the hands are many: community organization and social change in rural Haiti

Cornell University PressIthaca • Published In 2001 • Pages:

By: Smith, Jennie Marcelle.

Abstract
This book discusses the structural causes for the continued impoverishment and marginalization of Haiti rural people from the sufferers' point of view. While recognizing Haitian peasants as some of the most politically disempowered, malnourished, and illiterate people in the world, the author argues that they are capable of explaining the causes of their problems with their own words and 'theories.' Taking the poor's own models for explaining these problems, the book hopes to reverse earlier analysis of Haitians as victims hopelessly waiting to be rescued through material and technical aid. Much of the book is devoted to a closer portrayal of poor peoples' struggle to survive the harsh realities of life in Haiti by finding meaning, protecting their dignity, building community and working toward a more decent tomorrow.
Subjects
Cultural identity and pride
Poverty
Chief executive
Accumulation of wealth
Social relationships and groups
Taxation and public income
Research and development
External relations
Ingroup antagonisms
Exploitation
Political movements
Slavery
Naming
Verbal arts
Administrative agencies
Ethnosociology
Cooperative organization
Ethics
Labor supply and employment
Congregations
culture
Haitians
HRAF PubDate
2012
Region
Middle America and the Caribbean
Sub Region
Caribbean
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem; 2011
Field Date
1988-1991, 1995-1996
Coverage Date
1800-2001
Coverage Place
Haiti
Notes
Jennie Marcelle Smith
Includes bibliographical references (p. 213-223) and index
LCCN
00012448
LCSH
Peasants--Political activity--Haiti--Grand'Anse (Dept.)
Peasants--Haiti--Grand'Anse (Dept.)--Societies, etc.
Community organization--Haiti--Grand'Anse (Dept.)
Social values--Haiti--Grand'Anse (Dept.)
Folk songs, Creole--Social aspects--Haiti--Grand'Anse(Dept.)
Subject keywords: Chante pwen