Ever wondered how it is that Wyclef the Haitian-American got to vote in Haiti's last election? Well it turns out he's shacked up, not married, to America according to this article on the new transnationalism. Translation: he is a green card holder rather than an American citizen. So despite decades of living and producing number one pop hits in this country, he has not actually relinquished his Haitian citizenship.
- The article is worth reading in full, BTW. It argues that immigrants no longer divorce the old country after moving to the United States --not that Haitians ever really did to my knowledge. Than it weighs the pros and cons of whether the new transnationalism is a good or bad thing for America. Hence the musings over whether America is better or worse off for "shacking up" with immigrants. I find this *hilarious*. The article is titled Technology, global economy alter the reality of migration, national identity in US and also mentions a Trinidadian woman Natalia Wilson who has lived in the US all her life but is only deciding to naturalize at the age of 27.
- My vote? Immigrants from countries like Haiti can and should practice bigamy, i.e. fully embrace *both* countries. I admire Wyclef for taking full part in American *and* Haitian life. Of course, not all Haitian-Americans have his means but the Haitian community must continue to weave itself in the fabric of American life while at the same time contributing remittances to their loved ones in Haiti. The more organized the community is here --and it has a long way to go-- the better it will be for Haiti anyway...
Wyclef Jean - Wycleff Jean - transnationalism - immigration - Haiti - Trinidad - Caribbean - Haitian-American
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