Haitian Pride

Mwen Ayitian, epi pa gen ayen mwen ta change de sa (I am Haitian and there is nothing that I would change). Growing up Haitian in the streets of Miami, these were not words that I could speak freely. Growing Haitian in America was torture since the days of mothers youth when she attended Edison Senior High School in the early 1980s. She literally had to fight her way through school in defense of her culture and heritage. There was even an incident during her high school days when a young student killed himself due to constantly being teased about his background. Thus said I had much of the same experience growing up. I never really wanted to embrace my culture because I didn't want to be labeled as the Haitian girl who did not know how to dress or the Haitian girl who ate cat or whose history was one of poverty and strife...I wanted to be labeled American.



It was not until my 6th grade grade year in elementary school that another Haitian Revolution took place in the hall ways of Oak Grove Elementary when it was all of sudden cool to be Haitian and like my mother did nearly 10 plus years ago we too literally fought in defense of our heritage. With the emergence of the Fugees and Wyclef Jean and his overwhelming pride in his culture, that same sense of pride spilled into the hall ways of Oak Grove and spread like a wild fire. 10 and 11 year old students were not afraid to wear their Haitian flags on May 18th Haitian Flag Day in celebration of our independence and culture. We were no longer ashamed or discouraged to share that we took part in that days festivities on the beach front in Bayside, Miami. During this time if you weren't Haitian, hell we made you want to claim our culture and walk around with a Haitian Flag/Bandana around your head. We were the emerging youth destined to carry Haiti's torch and let it burn for generations to come.

Now young adults carrying the same torch that we once held in the days or youth, we must continue to fight in the name of Haiti and her children, for there will never be another country like her should she perish. Like those who fought in the Revolution of 1804 we too must have the desire and passion in our hearts to bring glory and honor to her name. With so many negative stereotypes and generalizations about our country, many have forgotten her beauty. They have forgotten that it was once her fields that they sowed and reaped the harvest of coffee, vanilla, cocoa beans, and sugar. They have forgotten that it was once her turquoise and blue cool waters that they drank from to satisfy their thirst or baptize themselves in when they were filled with impurities. They have forgotten that it was she who bore life and gave them life. However all is not lost, for it is we who must help remind them of all that they have reaped from her.

Thus said, I encourage you to live your life and embark on your journey never forgetting that it was Haiti who gave you life and from whence your breath came from. And it is our duty to bring prosperity to her name in all that you do upon foreign soil, never once forgetting that she is home and where we belong.

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NaturallyBlessed&Obsessed