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Gerry Andre, Jean's spokesperson in Haiti, also said that the artist was shot in the hand when getting out of a car to speak with him.
"He heard a gunshot, then he saw his right-hand palm was bleeding," Andre told CNN.
It is not yet clear if Jean was an intended target of the alleged shooting. The efforts of police are being thwarted because Jean has refused to speak to them thus far. Garry Desrosiers, the spokesman for the Haitian National Police, is claiming that Jean has not cooperated with their investigation. The police are also saying that Jean wasn't shot at all, and instead cut his hand with a piece of glass.
Jean was in Haiti to support the presidential campaign of Michel Martelly, a musician who is running against former first lady Mirlande Manigat.
"It was nothing," said Damien Merlo, a Martelly spokesperson. "He's fine and out and about getting out the vote for us."
Upon hearing that Wyclef had been shot, the headline obviously sent off alarm bells for millions around the world. Jean's towering presence within Haiti, along with the volatile political atmosphere likely lead some to wonder if Jean had been the target of an assassination attempt. The story is further complicated, however, by the fact that police are saying that Jean was never shot at all, which may explain why Wyclef didn't cooperate with their investigation:
"We met with the doctor who saw him and he confirmed Wyclef was cut by glass," said Vanel Lacroix, police chief in Petionville, where Jean is staying.
One could hardly imagine a political figure within the United States not cooperating with police after being shot on the campaign trail. I hope it's not the case that Jean made up the story about being shot, perhaps to bolster support, sympathy or attention for the Martelly campaign. If it is discovered that Jean has deliberately misled the public, his credibility could be permanently and irreparably damaged.
Whatever happened this weekend, I am glad to see that Wyclef is safe and recovering. He was supposed to be a guest on our AOL show a few months ago, but had to bail out after a turn of events during his own presidential bid. My hope is that Wyclef will continue to be a strong ambassador for Haiti, which is a nation that needs his leadership now more than ever before. While it is unfortunate that he might have nearly lost his life this weekend, I am sure Wyclef understands (as any strong leader should) that his mission in Haiti is more important than the life of any one person. He must keep marching forward.
As far as the inconsistencies in the stories about what happened to Jean, well, I'll deal with that bridge if I need to cross it. I hope he wasn't just being dramatic.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here. 
Comments: (18)
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By: James Gadson on 3/21/2011 3:25PM
To Gitchaya: You don't just have a problem with Wiclef you have a problem period!
Now your anger is directed at me. I understand your warped mentality. I have seen it in others through their writing and actions.
I have also seen how some tend to split religious belief and the belief in a 'God' into sections that help them rationalize their distorted thoughts. If you have put color to your 'God' it is just another mental decoration for your mind. In the long run humans can do all sorts of things with their minds including destroying it.
It will not help you to free your mind and your ass is surely in turmoil as is many who think like you. You have very little worldview, your focus is mediocre and although you may possibly excel in the 'American Dream' your mental awareness/enlightenment suffers more than you can assess. That's one of the main problems with a great many people in 'American'. The 'Americanized' people have been totally confused on a great many levels.
May your imaginary 'Black God' do everything you want it to do. You need it! May you someday dig deeper in trying to figure out how you came to believe in 'God' in the first place. Did it all just pop into your head or are you following what others have told you? If you were born and left on a Island alone as a child without any 'god' input would it all just come to you? Think deeply and be honest with yourself now. No bibles and no cheating now.
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By: Gichaya on 3/25/2011 12:58AM
What in God's name made you think that I am angry? Do you really think that you have those type of powers? You ask questions then react like an a$$hole when you get an answer. Did I pluck a few nerves?
You apparently are a control freak. You want everybody to see and think the way you do, if they don't you call them names. You are just a miserable lonely person who have no friend because you ran them all away with your rhetoric and bullsh$t. I am done dialoguing with you, as you felt that it was necessary to know my feeling towards someone that neither of us knows personally, then attempt to berate me just because I don't think the same way you do. Grow up you miserable old fool.
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By: Gichaya on 3/22/2011 1:42PM
After reading your last blog, I get impression that you are one of those foreigers that I was talking about earlier. No wonder you are angry. Sorry but I didn't make the rules so don't get mad at me for being American. Don't bother to respond sweetie because I'm done with ya
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By: Greg on 3/22/2011 3:49AM
James Gadson
Well, it is what it is! Until, I see something better in place in Haiti that clearly shows both the world, and Haitians themselves that they're able to govern themselves, take care of themselves, and not always have to rely on everybody to take care of them, then I'll change my mind. Until, then it's just simply remains a pathetic, and a contining embarrassment to black people all around the world. No one needs to read a book to see that reality!
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By: James Gadson on 3/23/2011 2:38PM
Greg: You should quickly read Randall Robinson's book about Haiti. It will give you enough truthful information to possibly get you on the right path to awareness and enlightenment. There seems to be many books you need to read but if you pick up this one book it make get you updated properly..Or not?
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By: Beverly Thomas-Brewer on 3/21/2011 4:33PM
I don't find this strange...while riding in a car with my family, window in the back seat was half way down, a mentally disturbed woman with a gun fired a shot in our direction as we was going in the curved circle on 23rd in Oklahoma City, the bullet glazed the window hit my brother who was 4 years of age at the time....if it had not been for the window being at the level it was my brother would have been killed.
There was a lot of blood my dress was covered by the time we got to the hospital I was covered in blood and there was never an entry womb...they thought I was the one shot...! My point not all womb suffered from gunshots have a point of entry....you can still have the affects of being shot without an exit womb....people what are we saying here that we are not graceful he was shot or dead.... I hate the implication of this article....someone is putting their life on the line while other's write about it!
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By: James Gadson on 3/21/2011 4:25PM
Dear Gitchaya
The subject has been replaced by back and forth blather. I'm just as retarded as you are in this case.
As it is, you don't understand me and I can't understand you. I say up and you say down. I say right and you say left.
This misunderstanding among two well meaning people is just another reason why we as a people and a nation are in such turmoil.
Your comment using a derivative of the word BS is proof that you are no longer in control of your emotions. I understand it.
I'm not a control freak, It is difficult enough for one to control themselves let alone try to control others. I have neither the wealth, power or will to control anyone.
I do want to thank you for your debating spirit that is one of the few things I find fascinating about you. Thanks again. I will not respond further. Great debating with.
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By: Beverly Thomas-Brewer on 3/21/2011 7:59PM
I was very upset writing this...because I don't like the implication of this article.
I don't find this strange...while riding in a car with my family, a back size window in the back seat was half way down, a mentally disturbed woman with a gun fired a shot in our direction as we was going in the curved circle on 23rd in Oklahoma City, the bullet glazed the window hitting my brother who was 4 years of age at the time....if it had not been for the window being at the level it was my younger brother would have been killed.
There was a lot of blood my dress was covered by the time we got to the hospital I was covered in blood there was never an entry womb on his head yet his head swelled like it was the doctors had to to determine there was not a entry womb before he was release and thank God ...they thought I was the one shot...!
My point not all womb suffered from gunshots have a point of entry....you can still have the affects of being shot without an entry womb....people what are we saying here that we are not graceful he was shot or dead.... I hate the implication of this article....someone is putting their life on the line while other's write about it!
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