Guadalupian artist Antonny Drew recently stirred controversy during a press conference for Anie Alerte and the new band Zile’s tour in Haiti. When asked about his impressions of the country, Drew candidly remarked that “Okay pi pwop ke Okap,” meaning “Les Cayes is cleaner than Cap-Haïtien.”
The artist explained that while Cap-Haïtien is a city with an incredibly rich history, what struck him most was the amount of garbage on its streets. By contrast, he found Les Cayes to be so clean it reminded him of his own native Guadeloupe.
The comment did not sit well with many residents of Cap-Haïtien. Offended by what they viewed as a disrespectful statement, a number of them took to social media to criticize and even insult Drew. The reaction quickly escalated into a heated online debate.
Interestingly, officials in Cap-Haïtien chose not to retaliate with words, but instead responded with action. In the days following Drew’s remarks, local authorities mobilized tractors and clean-up crews to collect trash, wash down certain streets, and present a more positive image of the city.
Realizing the backlash his words had caused, Drew issued a follow-up statement clarifying his position. He insisted that his comment was never meant with malice. Instead, he said he was merely expressing shock and disappointment at the conditions of such a historically significant city. Drew reaffirmed his admiration and love for Cap-Haïtien and its people, stressing that his words were born out of care and surprise, not criticism.
The episode has left many divided. Some continue to believe Drew should have chosen his words more carefully, while others admit that his blunt observation rang true. A portion of locals even pressured officials to acknowledge the city’s shortcomings, noting that while they may have been embarrassed by a foreigner’s critique, the underlying issue of waste management cannot be ignored.
In the end, the controversy raises an uncomfortable but necessary question: what is more troubling, Drew’s statement itself, or the fact that it took a visitor’s comment to trigger long-overdue action on cleanliness in one of Haiti’s most historic cities?
Antonny Drew Pote Diskisyon ann Ayiti ak Kòmantè sou Pwòpte Okap
Atis Gwadloupéyen Antonny Drew te kreye anpil pale anpil pandan yon konferans pou laprès sou toune Anie Alerte ak nouvo gwoup Zile a ann Ayiti. Lè yo te mande l sou enpresyon l sou peyi a, Drew te reponn ak onètete: “Okay pi pwòp ke Okap.”
Li te eksplike ke pandan Okap se yon vil ki gen yon istwa rich anpil, sa ki frape l plis se kantite fatra ki gaye nan lari yo. Okontrè, li te jwenn Okay tèlman pwòp li te raple l pwòp peyi li, Gwadloup.
Kòmantè sa a pa t pase byen lakay anpil moun Okap. Yo te santi se te yon mank de respè e yo te pran sou rezo sosyal pou kritike e menm joure Drew. Reaksyon an te vin tounen yon gwo deba sou entènèt.
Sa ki enteresan, otorite yo nan Okap pa t reponn ak pawòl, men ak aksyon. Nan jou ki te swiv deklarasyon Drew la, responsab yo te voye traktè ak ekip netwayaj pou ranmase fatra, lave kèk lari, epi bay vil la yon pi bon imaj.
Lè li te reyalize kòmantè l yo te kreye malantandi, Drew te fè yon lòt deklarasyon pou klarifye pozisyon li. Li ensiste ke pawòl li yo pa t gen okenn mechanste ladan yo. Li di li te sèlman sezi e desi devan kondisyon yon vil ki gen yon enpòtans istorik konsa. Drew te renouvle admirasyon ak lanmou li pou Okap ak pèp li, e li te soulinye ke pawòl li yo te sòti nan lanmou ak sipriz, pa nan kritik.
Epizòd sa a kite anpil moun divize. Genyen ki toujou panse Drew te dwe chwazi pawòl li pi byen, pandan lòt yo admèt obsèvasyon li a te gen verite ladan l. Gen kèk moun menm ki te mete presyon sou otorite yo pou rekonèt feblès vil la, epi yo di menm si yo te wont ak yon etranje ki kritike yo, pwoblèm jesyon fatra a se yon reyalite ki pa ka inyore.
Finalman, tout diskisyon sa a leve yon kesyon ki fè anpil reflechi: ki sa ki pi grav—kòmantè Drew a li menm, oswa lefèt ke se yon vizitè ki te oblije pale anvan yo te pran desizyon pou netwaye yon vil istorik konsa?
