Rapper and former Fugees singer Wyclef Jean made the first televised announcement of his bid for the Haitian presidency last night on ***********2864b4]CNN[/COLOR]. After several satellite interview segments between Wyclef and Wolf Blitzer, philanthropist and actor Sean Penn shared harsh words for the Haitian-born rapper, questioning his motives and value as a leader. "This is somebody who's going to receive an enormous amount of support from the United States, and I have to say I'm very suspicious of it, simply because he, as an ambassador at large, has been virtually silent. For those of us in Haiti, he has been a non-presence," Penn said. Jean, 37, was born in Haiti but left soon after and was raised in Brooklyn and New Jersey. He established the Yelé Haiti foundation in 2004, providing aid and opportunities to the country's citizens. Penn, who has been very active on the ground in Haiti since the earthquake, highlighted allegations that Wyclef mishandled $400,000 donated for the country through his Yele Haiti foundation. "He claims he didn't do it. That has to be looked into it," Penn said. "I've been there. I know what $400,000 could do for these people's livesWyclef's political motives were of particular concern to Penn. "I see in Wyclef Jean somebody who could well have been influenced by the promise of support of companies. I think Haiti is clearly vulnerable ... There is a history of American interests coming in and underpaying people. This is a culture of one to two dollars a day, that they were making." Penn openly worried about American corporations and individuals "enamored" with Wyclef becoming "opportunists on the back of the Haitian people." Jean responded to Penn's comments in an interview with the Associated Press: "I just want Sean Penn to fully understand I am a Haitian, born in Haiti and I've been coming to my country ever since (I was) a child. He might just want to pick up the phone and meet, so he fully understands the man." Wyclef's estimated yearly income -- up to $18 million -- is "more than 13,000 times more than the average Haitian sees in a year -- assuming that person even has a job," the AP reports. "I haven't seen or heard anything of [Wyclef Jean] in these last six months that I've been in Haiti. I think he's an important voice. I hope he doesn't sacrifice that voice by taking the eye off the very devastating realities on the ground," Penn said. "I want to see someone who's really, really willing to sacrifice for their country, and not just someone who I personally saw with vulgar entourage of vehicles that demonstrated a wealth in Haiti that, in context, I felt was a very obscene demonstration." In 2008, Wyclef recorded a song called 'If I Was President'. Notable lyrics include: "If I was president / I'd get elected on Friday / Assasinated on Saturday / And buried on Sunday" and "Instead of spending billions on the war / We can use some of that money, in the ghetto / I know some so poor, when it rains that when they shower / Screaming 'fight the power.'" Funny Sean Penn trash talks Wyclef yet he supports dictators like Hugo Chavez and Castro. Like I always say the far left is anti-black men.
Sean penn could speak in tongues. I doubt the haitian population knows who he is. The fact is wyclef has no experience. I really do not think he will win just because he will be casted as an outsider with no experience.
Reminds me of what Malcolm X said, 'Conservatism' in America's politics means 'Let's keep the niggers in their place and 'liberalism' means 'Let's keep the knee-grows in their place
Is that why Penn has been in Haiti running a massive shelter for thousands of homeless Haitians for the past seven months? Because he hates Black people? GTFO of here with that bullshit. With all of the race baiting that your conservative friends have been doing lately, you've got a lot of fucking nerve spouting off about purported liberal racism.
Good post, I was going to say that as Penn has really been involved in Haiti for quite some time now and know the situation and the fears. I think Penn raises a point though in that hoping that wyclef dont squander this sopportunity. I dont see this as and anti-black men issue with Penn... Anyone that have followed him just a little bit knows this is how he is, he is suspicious of pretty much everything, he is agressive and have a temper prettty much says anything on his mind and is prone to hyperboly, but is a genuine humanitarian. This is not the first time he has personally gotten involved in catastropies. I just think this is typical Penn and not really a reflection of Wyclefs skin. He wouldnt spend so much time and effort - quietly, I must add in Haiti if he was anti-black - he has not capitalized on this at all for publicity so dont go there. I think he is suspicious of people captilalizing on the Haiti situation right or wrong.. and just does his hyperbole thing. He does and say a lot of face palm worthy things but I do believe the guy is genuine and have his heart in the right place. And so do I believe of Wyclef.
anytime a white person comes in conflict with a black person, it's a racial dispute. didn't you get the Manual on How to be Black? id say wait until the facts come out, before people start pulling the race card. If Wyclef has been found using donations, for other things besides what people have been led to believe, then race won't matter. He would just be another crooked politician/figurehead shoving dick up the asses of his supporters. If Sean Penn was black, this wouldn't even be an issue.
Funny Rocha if it was the GOP you would not make this statement. George Bush helped to try and stop aids in africa but I bet he's a racist in your book.Penn does not want to see a black man gain power giving some crumbs to poor lil negros is just fine.
I think maybe you're being a little hard on Sean Penn. It's not like there's a white person running against Wyclef, nor would there be. He's suspicious of him, if we are to take him at his word, because he is like him -- another American celebrity -- and not because he is unlike him -- racially. I don't know if I agree with Penn, but I don't doubt his motives here.
Sean Penn can be an asshole in some of his movie roles (like Casualties of War), but I don't know the man really. I especially don't know him enough to consider him racist, for not supporting Wyclef.
just because a man dont support a black man for what ever position doesnt make him a racist. I saw what sean stated on CNN about wyclef. He has a concern be it weak or strong it is a concern. praz and other blacks are running against wyclef are they a sellout ? are you a sellout voting voting against a black man who is running for office...no... you would be voting ( i hope) for the best man...not the race
I think the only people that have any kind of problems/difficulties with Sean Penn...are the paparazzi.... OpinionsCartoonStudios@Yahoo.Co.UK
