Who Do You Think I Am?

Tiba - October 21 2012, 10:46 AM

Despite all the negative connotations, I am proud to be a Haitian American.

I came to the US a longtime ago just with clothes on my back with minimal education.

Thanks to the opportunities given to me by the United Stated, today, I am college educated.

I have also accomplished many other goals that I would otherwise reach in Haiti.

Furthermore, even though I am still struglling to pay my bills, I am valued and being treated like a human being by the American society which is very important for survival.

Haiti has given me nothing.

In fact, all I have gotten from Haiti is grief, pain, despair, fear, and humiliation.

Despite all of that, there is still a soft spot in my being for Haiti.

As I often say "You can take me out of Haiti but you cannot take Haiti out of me", and I mean it. Since 95, I have been involved in humanitarian work in Haiti without ever getting a "thank you" from those in the locality who are benefiting.

I, sometimes, understand why Haitian diaspora does not get involved in Humanitarian work/project in Haiti.

Haitian are prone to give all the glory and recognition to white people while ignoring the participation and contribution of their own kind. I think those in Haiti engage in the "white worshiping" because they really beleive white people are more likely to bring them to the United States, Canada, France, etc...

or take care of them and their families after they return to their respective countries than another Haitian of their own kind would.

You know the old saying "wherever the gras is greener."

What exactly I am trying to say?

you may ask!
The message that I am trying to convey to my Haitian people, the Haitian society and its government is this, "UNTIL Haitians are being treated the same like human beings and Haitian lives are valued and considered as precious, and until Haitians are being treated as equal regardless of education, wealth, family affiliation/roots, etc...

Haiti is doomed to sink down the bottom of the ocean.

As a people and as a nation, Haitians must understand that money is not everything and money is not what really make a person a human being.

One can have all the wealth and education in the world and still remains a "Dushbag and a Scambag." Character, Intergrity, humility and Dignity are the most important elements needed in a person makeup.

Return to Message List