Claude Moise on Firmin

Claude Moise's essay in the 117th issue of Conjonction is a fine overview on the life and works of Anténor Firmin, one of Haiti's greatest intellectuals. For Moise, Firmin was an honest and sincere patriot who believed Haiti needed non-despotic, regular administration under civil authorities that promoted the economy and the education of the masses. Otherwise, Haiti would never become truly democratic or fully civilized, in the sense of uplifting the masses, reforming administration, and providing the required rational governance that would lead to Haitian economic growth. While surprisingly brief on the details of Firmin's famous essay arguing in favor of racial equality, Moise does contextualize Firmin's background and intellectual and political writings with the events and features of Haitian society and politics in the decades leading to the US Occupation of 1915. By the end of his life, Firmin had even moved beyond the Liberal program of his heroes, Edmond Paul and Boyer Bazelais, favoring more state intervention whilst lamenting the lingering impact of colorism and inequality. Sadly, the Haiti of today would probably horrify Firmin even more than the despotic regimes of incompetent leaders and the parasitic elites of the pre-1915 years...