A little bit repugnant

Reminds you of “a little bit pregnant” doesn’t it? Most people think you can only be pregnant or not, with no in-between. Why then do some people wear a “little bit repugnant” label? The answer, being part American, perhaps the better half of one-self.

Another half could be Caribbean, in my case, my heart and soul; my USA trained mind and my lucky passport speak for the American me.

So, why would my Caribbean roots be repugnant? Well, my birthright entitled me to private healthcare and education and red-carpet access to a restricted social network. Where I come from, I am considered “bourgeois” and with those privileges followed responsibilities toward my less-fortunate fellow citizens.

Over a decade ago, the Haitian upper-classes were dubbed: M.R.E: Most Repugnant Elite and many have since lived uncomfortably with that stigma. Many law-abiding, hard-working and generous citizens were forced to reconsider their actions, life-styles and choices because their country had gone politically bankrupt; it was our fault for not living up to global expectations. Close to twenty years later things are worse.

Back to the red-carpet for the Golden Globe awards, and Hollywood is strutting glamour and bling-bling. Has anyone overslept while the American economy slipped out of recession? I fear not. However, after Wall Street’s CEO luxury jet dash for bail out, some are curious and ask: besides President elect Obama, who are the USA elites responsible for their more unfortunate brethren?

In Haiti, I have been categorized elite, whereas in the USA, I’m middle-class. On one hand, I struggle to make my daily contributions count for the advancement of my people, on the other, I’m happy to have a new President and his Government carry the weight of responsibility for national problems. Nonetheless, on days like these I admire the concerned American elite who lend a helping hand to other Americans in need. Now a question: what should we call those who don’t?