Known as much for his humanitarian efforts as his musical career, Wyclef Jean has announced his plans to run for the Haitian presidency.
Said the social activist, confirming the news to Time magazine and referencing January's natural disaster in the region:
“If not for the earthquake, I probably would have waited another 10 years before doing this... If I can’t take five years out to serve my country as President, then everything I’ve been singing about, like equal rights, doesn’t mean anything.”
Wycleff, who was born in Haiti and moved to Brooklyn when he was nine, added: “I want to be part of a different kind of celebrity, one that thinks not just about charity but policy.”
In 2005, Jean established the Yéle Haiti Foundation, which hands out scholarships to children in the country.
We admire his dedication and have a few campaign slogans in mind:
- If you're Gone Til November, vote for me when you get home!
- Wyclef: Down to Earth, not down with earthquakes.
- Wyclef? Why not!