"Currently the districts only dilute the voting strength of Haitian-Americans," he said. "If the county does not increase the number of seats, the chances are that within the next 10 years you will see a Haitian American and an African American fighting for the same seat," he said. "This would cause deep ethnic division. And we already have enough ethnic division." "In the past Commissioner Gwen Margolis has supported the idea in principal. And Commissioner Dorrin Rolle has questioned the timing of it," he said.
We have been blessed because they are a part of our mosaic." The evening festivities featured remarks from Haitian Consul General of New York Harry J. Fouche and Haiti's Ambassador to the United Nations Jean C. Alexandre. Entertainment was provided the Haitian American Association of Jersey City Inc., gospel singer [Felina Backer] and rap group Euneek Aroma Haiti. Additionally, the work of Haitian artist Lucien Bourdeau was displayed. The master of ceremonies was Yves Richar Blanc.
"It is a new day," [Phillip J. Brutus] told Caribbean Today. "No longer will Haitian Americans be taken for granted. We are demanding our place at the table." "We need to get Haitians involved in the process," Joseph "Billy" Louis, a spokesperson for the group, told Caribbean Today. "We need numbers in order to be taken seriously." Damian P. Gregory is a freelance writer for Caribbean Today. Caribbean Today's special focus on Haiti begins with Nick Carter's call for the nation to "re-invent" itself on page 9 and continues on page 29 with highlights of events there and in the U.S. marking Haiti's 200th Independence.
