Music meets Humanity in Carole Demesmin

Pawol Konpa

By Rachel Pratt and Ella Turenne

New York - One night years ago, the dream went this way: Anacaona, famed Indian-Haitian heroine, came to singer Carole Demesmin. She told Demesmin that she needed to hold a dinner for her children. Demesmin told herself, "There are no Indian children left! And besides, how would I feed all those people!!"
On Nov. 23, 2003, the dream was realized. Sunday’s event, held as a fundraiser for the Carole Demesmin Foundation, included performances, readings and wonderful music. Demesmin recognized that all people of Haiti, regardless of color or origin, were children of Anacaona and ultimately children of Haiti. Period.
The Foundation’s mission is to develop and share programs that promote art and culture, the well being of children, reinforcement of positive youth development, strengthening families, and improving the quality of life of minority elderly. A focus of the evening was also to raise funds for a monument of Anacaona to be built in Haiti to honor its heroines.

For the attendees, it is quite evident that Haiti is still important to someone, namely Demesmin, despite all the rough times it is going through. The message was loud and clear: the celebration of women is not just needed, it’s necessary.

Demesmin, described as a defender, healer and artist, is a Haitian native who has spent time in Boston, New York and now, Florida. A household name when it comes to music and performing, Demesmin gained her fame in the late 1970’s when she began singing "Ma Woule," a signature song.

For Demesmin, building the monument is critical.
"It’s the idea of celebrating the woman, Demesmin said. "The woman has never been [praised.]"
Demesmin said historically, women have not been given their proper credit, even though they are the backbone and have worked hard to build the country alongside men. When discussing Haiti, people should remember that it is called, ‘Ayiti maman cheri’, not ‘Ayiti papa cheri.’"
This project is especially important because of the pending Bicentennial highlighting Haiti’s struggle and success in gaining independence, she said.
"[The year] 2004 should be the anniversary of all Black women," Demesmin said. "It is because of Haitians that other blacks are free.” she said.

"It’s not only about one group of Blacks - but it’s a group of Blacks who liberated their brothers."
In this spirit of liberation, Demesmin said that the monument of Anacaona would be erected next year and would not look like the one in the Dominican Republic, which has her statue bowing in front of Christopher Columbus. In the Haitian design (to be posted on Demesmin’s website www.carolemawoule.com in a couple weeks), Anacaona is featured standing, with a peace pipe in one hand and a gun in the other. The depiction highlights the native inhabitants’ love of peace, and drive to defend themselves.

The fundraiser itself was beautiful. Despite some initial mishaps (some folks managed to get in for free and caused the space to become extremely overcrowded), everything went smoothly. The poetic Master of Ceremonies, Evans Ford, opened up the evening and introduced Demesmin. When she came on, she was radiant in traditional Haitian garb and was followed by several children who carried the Haitian flag. As they unrolled it, she sang a tribute the flag.
The rest of the evening included an engaging reading by storyteller Charlot Lucien, and a poem about womanhood recited by Mona Theodore Gauthier. Demesmin sang again and danced with the Mawoule dancers. All enjoyed great food and good company, despite the congestion. At several points in the evening, people were so charged, they jumped out of their seats singing old favorites with Demesmin.

More important than the food, dancing and singing was the purpose of the evening - to unite Haitian people in celebrating Haitian women and to raise money for programs that will help Haiti progress.

"I am on a mission and I want everyone to be on the mission with me," Demesmin said. The mission is to change and restore the splendor of Haiti. She realizes that it may not happen in her lifetime, but if it happens during later generations, that is enough for her, she said.
"In our generation, we want a change for Haiti," she said. "We are tired of listening to the politicians talking and not doing anything. Haiti is a woman that is a mother. It’s the mother that we cannot replace.""

It is a fundraiser and you have people sneeking in?

How much were tickets?

What programs are being funded? Anyone have details on what Carole Demesmin Foundations sponcers?