Haiti is flawed and there are many injustices that must be denounced. Many things have to change, I know this. Condescendence, however is also a flaw that helas, too often rears its ugly head whenever the West talks about Haiti. That too, must change.

Il y a plus d’une semaine, le journal La Presse publiait un article intitulé « Le fléau caché » sur la violence conjugale en Haïti.

La photo a dérangée plusieurs lecteurs, toutes origines confondues. Moi, c’est l’article que j’ai trouvé dérangeant. J’ai écrit à La Presse. Mon texte n’a pas été publié (comme les 84 autres lettres reçues au journal, d’ailleurs). La voici.

On the morning of September 11th 2001, I was living my 4th year in Miami and I was on the phone with my travel agent, booking a last minute trip for the next day to Port-au-Prince on American Airlines. Once confirmed on the flight, I left my apartment & drove to my office with the [...]

They left Paris for Montreal a few years ago. Since then, the Barlagnes have fully integrated the Maple Leaf while contributing to the work force, participating in the school system and being part of the country’s social fabric. Despite having followed all “Immigration Canada” rules and regulations, they are now asked to leave the country [...]

All day today, pundits and tank thinkers were trying to interpret Michael Bloomberg’s latest move. Having just left the Republican Party to become an Independent, the move is seen as a prelude to Bloomberg announcing his run at the U.S. Presidency. Bloomberg, the current Mayor of New York has proven to be a smart politician, [...]

Last week, former U.S. veep Al Gore received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. An Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe, a walk on La Croisette, Leo Di Caprio on his speed dial: Al Gore has made it. For many years, he was associated with stiffness and having a wife who didn’t enjoy Prince’s Purple Rain but [...]

In these unpeaceful times, not only in Gaza but also in the forgotten Congo and in all the other conflicts you don’t see on your 6’oclock newscasts, little makes sense. One would think it’s the first time we’ve forgone harmony for the sake of bullies. But it really isn’t. The first video is of Oliver [...]

I would think, in a time of global turmoil, that CNN would embrace its original mission statement to bring hard but comprehensive news to TV viewers across the world. Helas, I am wrong, Kings-of-comedy dead wrong. As of last Saturday, comedian D.L. Hughley has his own show in primetime on CNN. Somewhere, Aaron Brown is [...]

The Republicans are down in the polls and the mob side of the Party is rearing its ugly head. The attacks have gotten more personal and if you squint at the crowds at some of the McCain/Palin rallies, you can spot at least one Grand Wizard. Some advanced ballots in New York State printed “Barack [...]

Republicans were so quick to call Barack Obama an elitist. Had they bothered to look up the definition and the application of the word, they would see that today, in the wake of the bailout’s failure, the word applies to them. Instead of vulgarizing what the $700 billion would actually do and deciding to forgo [...]

When she learned of President Musharraf’s resignation, U.S. Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice praised him for his strides and efforts against terrorism. I beg your pardon, Condi? Are you serious? Perhaps Ms. Rice needs to be reminded that President Musharraf took over power in a coup which is the most blatant disregard for Democracy. And [...]

I know, he won’t. No need to send me your recommendations for medication. I’m not that delusional. But still, I can’t help but add my opinion to the already too loud chorus of suggestions for the Senator’s Vice-Presidential choice. Facts & Suggestions: 1. It must be a woman. First, because it’s time. Second, there is [...]

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed he will not attend the Opening Ceremonies at next month’s Beijing Olympics. If your athletes are going and China is one of your trade partners, what are you trying to prove? You’re still a pussy but on top of that, now you’re rude.

Today, famed-French magazine and new Milagro friend Paris Match releases a special issue, declaring its love for the province of Québec. It does it with style and photography like only Paris Match can do. The mag also recently released poignant commercials, evoking life’s various emotions since after all, la vie est une histoire vraie. Here’s [...]

On May 9th, an American soldier in Iraq used the Quran as target during a bullet-practice round. Although the media have reported on this incendiary act, I find it hasn’t been given enough attention. This news needs to be the headline today, tomorrow and everyday until the President of the United States apologizes for the [...]

A few days ago, the body of gorgeous model Katoucha was scooped out of La Seine, a month after she was reported missing. Like a Shakespearian scenario, the image is both painfully beautiful and tragic at the same time. Before Tyra and Naomi, there was Katoucha. The African beauty illuminated runways in the 80’s for [...]

Fidel has stepped down and despite the media fanfare and its over-analysis of this historical move, it is not there that the power lays. The next step is in the hands of the Cuban Diaspora, located primarily in Miami. The Nostalgics and Exiled have been roaring for 49 years. And so I’m watching this Diaspora, [...]

Never have the words of Martin Luther King been so primordial. Never have we needed them more as guidance. I really wish both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would stop using their names and their so-called achievements in the same breath as Dr. King’s. It’s insulting and inaccurate. We all need the guidance and should [...]

I finally took the time to watch Spike Lee’s “When the Levees Broke”. The documentary chronicles Hurricane Katrina: before, during and after. After watching almost three hours of gut wrenching footage, I realized the before, the during and the after were equally catastrophic. The way the levees were inadequately built. Condeleeza Reese’ insulting laissez-faire reaction. [...]

This week, icon Simone de Beauvoir would have turned 100 years old. And, as lit-fans across the world celebrated her achievements and status, much of the attention has been on Le Nouvel Observateur. The weekly magazine published on its cover a naked picture of Madame de Beauvoir, to headline a tribute to the anniversary. Feminists, [...]

Pakistan’s loudest voice for democracy was silenced yesterday. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a scenario that must have played in her head, a million times. I remember as a young loud mouth, being in awe of her election at the tender age of 35. Simply historic. Madame Bhutto had hundreds of millions of dollars in [...]

When a picture of Hillary Rodham Clinton emerged a few days ago, it sparked a plethora of comments, most unflattering. The first to throw a stone was conservative and Hillary-hater, Rush Limbaugh. I think unattractive people living in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. As for all the unpleasant comments on Hillary’s picture, I think it’s [...]

Oprah, Obama and now Will Smith? In what promises to be a celebrity-filled bandwagon, Will Smith announced yesterday that he would lend his support to the Barack Obama campaign. How that would help, I’m not sure and I worry about a candidate who could actually benefit from a Will Smith endorsement. Madonna has now joined [...]

A reader has asked me to comment on the Ingrid Bétancourt ordeal. I have limited knowledge of Columbian politics. However, from where I’m standing, Ingrid Bétancourt is a survivor. 5 years in captivity cannot be easy and must be even harder when you have two children at home, pining for your return. Here’s where once [...]

Barbra Streisand is endorsing Hillary and Oprah is getting on the Obama campaign bus.Celebrities have the right to voice their political preferences even if they would be much more helpful fighting concrete social issues such as the pitiful state of education in poorer neighbourhoods but that might not be glamorous enough. Many pundits have condemned [...]

American Princess and famed journalist Maria Shriver recently announced she would not be returning to NBC News. She’s quit the profession all together after being disgusted by the Anna Nicole Smith coverage, following the starlet’s death. It was indeed nauseating. We are far from Walter Cronkite reporting JFK’s death. Times have changed. Let us not [...]

I’m not a big-action film type of girl. I don’t fancy weight lifters either. I do however marvel at Arnold Schwarzenegger. Today, Arnold turns 50. With all he has accomplished in such a short time, 50 is really nothing. To say Schwarzenegger is the American Dream on steroids is an understatement. He made a seemingly [...]

Here’s a wise piece of advice to Michelle Obama: stick to the Law (which you are exceptional at) and leave the sound bites to your husband, Barack. While speaking to a reporter, Michelle Obama blamed the hesitant Black vote for her husband on an inferiority complex Blacks have which leads them to believe others are [...]

It’s Remembrance Day. A day, to be thankful that soldiers fought, in the name of democracy and freedom. But that was then. It’s difficult to explain why troops are in Afghanistan and not Darfur. Difficult to explain why we’re trying to restore democracy in Iraq and not in Burma. On this day when we must [...]

At midnight yesterday, the Writers’ Guild of America declared war on TV Screens across the world. By striking, writers are protesting their right to a larger piece of the giant pie that has become the American Media Domination. American because it is being produced in the United States but in reality, the pie has crossed [...]

Leave it to 60 minutes to rekindle my obsession for Men in French politics. Last night, France’s new President Nicolas Sarkozy showed the American public what the fuss has been all about. Brash, direct and un-cookie-cuttered-like, Sarko refused to dance to Lesley Stahl`s beat. Despite his cult-like love for all-things Americana, Sarko refused to answer [...]

This is one of these days when little makes sense. Former lead singer of French Rock-Band Noir Désir, Bertrand Cantat, is being released today after serving four of the eight-year jail sentence he received for the brutal and deadly beating of his former love, French actress Marie Trintignant. Four years? I’m disgusted. Enough with defending [...]

Not so long ago, women were confronted with black & white choices. Love or security? Career or baby? Full or half-cup cut? Now, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. It’s not about having it all, it’s about having choices. With time, barriers have broken down and a woman’s impact has far surpassed [...]

Despite the roars, the nasty editorials and the fervent demonstrators, Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad landed in New York City where before his scheduled address at the United Nations, he was to speak at Columbia University. And speak, he did. Spitting out a slew of rhetoric that only confirmed his reputation as a crazed man, Mahmoud [...]

In 1990, nestled in a sheltered private catholic school, I was shaken by Spike Lee. The movie “Do the Right Thing” had just be released, and its soundtrack, led by powerful Public Enemy tracks, exposed me to a world I didn’t really knew existed. Under the tartan uniform and behind the awkward braces, I was [...]

A year ago, a misunderstood, misguided, lonely and crazed gun man opened fire at Montreal’s Dawson College, quieting one soul and wounding countless others. And, two days ago, we sadly celebrated the sixth anniversary of September 11th. Some have questioned the yearly commemorative celebrations of these events. It is primordial that we remember. The same [...]

Today, my heart goes to New Yorkers. You are survivors, you are leaders and you are New York. I pray for those who are different and I pray for minorities hoping one day, you don’t feel as such and those epithets will mean nothing.I pray that we all learn tolerance and reject hate. I look [...]

The Original velvet teddy bear has died. Luciano Pavarotti has always been great. Long before his ascension into popular charts with various duets alongside contemporary pop cultural iconic figures, Pavarotti had dominated a world where so few are chosen. Big and bigger than life, he was the Original. His tumultuous love life had only confirmed [...]

Now here’s a trend I can understand. Advertisers, car makers, clothes designers, many have understood that ostentatious is passé. The dangers of too much flamboyancy have only deepened the wedge between the poor and the rich. The tasteful and the tasteless. We have survived a period where everything was monogrammed, studded or stamped with tartan. [...]

A couple of weeks ago, famed malletier Louis Vuitton unveiled its new brilliant advertisement campaign, starring various pop cultural figures. Amongst the Catherine Deneuves and André Agassis of this world, an unlikely pinup: Mikhail Gorbachev. What is extraordinary with this Louis Vuitton shot is that it forces us to look at this towering historical figure [...]

The hype has started. The commercials are rolling. The countdown is on. The 2008 Beijing Olympics are a year away. I applaud and marveled at China’s economic progressive domination but the buck stops there. The country is still one of the most oppressive regimes on Planet Earth and holding the Olympic Games there will only [...]

The U.S. Presidential race has brought out the worse in pundits and in tank thinkers. Candidates have been rattled over their pocket books, their Rolodex, their spouses and their cleavage? In a desperate attempt to mince Hillary Clinton’s judgement, Washington Post writer Robin Givhan pointed out to Mrs. Clinton cleavage. Givhan writes: “She was talking [...]

I love Barack Obama. Way before mainstream media got on the Barack bandwagon; I had been impressed by his frank views, notably in an interview with Tavis Smiley. That was before the famous speech at the Democratic convention in 2004 and before he reached Rock Star status. Besides evident intellectual prowess, Barack Obama has grasp [...]

Dear Victoria,Dear David, Welcome to America but more importantly, thank you. Thank you for being here and for dethroning Brangelina from the cover of every single entertainment magazine. Thank you for bringing style back and for shunning Juicy Couture sweat suits. I hope that with all this style, substance will follow …eventually. I hope you [...]

Michael Moore is fat and not-fashionable. Perhaps in this look-obsessed society, this is why we tend to see him as a marginal standing on a soap box. But, whether we like it or not, he delivers the bitter bill we fight to not swallow. On CNN last night, the filmmaker blasted my beloved Wolf Blitzer [...]

Since my blogging hiatus of over a week, Canada has celebrated two national holidays: La Fête Nationale in Québec and Canada Day, a week later all over the country. These staples of the Maple Leaf’s calendar should be used to examine one’s identity. I will forever be grateful to my parents for having chosen Canada [...]

All day today, pundits and tank thinkers were trying to interpret Michael Bloomberg’s latest move. Having just left the Republican Party to become an Independent, the move is seen as a prelude to Bloomberg announcing his run at the U.S. Presidency. Bloomberg, the current Mayor of New York has proven to be a smart politician, [...]

After a meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, France’s newly elected President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared to be slightly inebriated at a G8 briefing. I love it. Cheers!

Montreal is freshly out of one its best events: the F1 Grand Prix. A weekend of parties galore and of celebrity sightings. A time to hit the streets, the restos and terraces and for just a weekend, share the glamour of what only a handful of other cities in the World can brag about: having [...]

Ah ha! This is why the rest of the world has disdain for North America.More than a third of the world population is dying of hunger. Even amongst us, the rich nations, children go to school hungry. To hold such eating competition is one thing but to broadcast it on such networks as CNN and [...]

One might be blinded by the flashbulbs and all around fabulousness of La Croisette in Cannes but when Brad and Angelina came out to play with the other stars in the South of France, there was for me at least, more that met the eye. The golden , at the glitzy Film Festival to promote [...]

I had a wonderful surprise while flipping through the pages of the latest British GQ. There it was: a multi-page photo editorial of Bryan Ferry, chanteur extraordinaire and former lead singer for Roxy Music, one of modern music’s best and most important bands. Bryan Ferry first made my knees weak about twenty years ago when [...]

French President Jacques Chirac has just announced he will not be seeking a third mandate as France’s Head Honcho thus turning an important page of the country’s history. I remember falling for Chirac as I had previously fallen for predecessors Valéry Giscard D’Estaing and François Mitterrand. Jacques Chirac, a stylish and smart debonair brought flair [...]