The concerns raised by the opposing view that dual nationality is a form of conflicting allegiance have been a lingering irritant to relations between the Haitian politicians and the Haitian Diaspora. For too long, we were led to believe that all birthright Haitian nationals who stayed in Haiti to endure the political vicissitudes of the last three decades did so out of blind patriotism. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the most vocal restrictionists, those most passionate in their denunciation of double nationality as an antithesis to the patriotic principle of uncompromising allegiance are the first to make use of cheaper technology, communication and travel to shuttle between the great metropolis of North America for all their basic needs, including banking, shopping, investing and schooling for their kids. They are essentially enjoying the less taxing lifestyle of a languishing economy while spending, investing and enjoying the glitters of flourishing ...operating in small villages in Haiti.
Up to the last minute CIS' Irwine Clare was still awaiting a response to a formal request sent weeks ago to Guyana's Consul General to New York, Bretnold Evans and a subsequent follow-up sent to the President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo; and the country's Home Affairs Minister, Gail Texeira. Clare, who flew to Guyana on Wednesday night in hopes that the approval would have been secured at the last minute, voiced disappointment but said he's optimistic that the team will be able to present the forums in the future, given the numerous queries and requests he has received from nationals there for such seminars.
Just as dance forms originating from Saint-Domingue made their way into southern culture, religion also left its indelible marks. It is well documented that the Vodou religion in New Orleans began to blossom around 1800 with Sanite Dede, a free woman of color who arrived from Saint-Domingue. The Saint-Domingan Vodou priestess was replaced in 1820 by New Orleans's native Marie Laveau, who became legendary. Haitians were for the most part Catholic; their presence in the various U.S. cities where they settled gave rise to the establishment of a number of biracial congregations. In Baltimore, in 1829, four colored Saint-Domingan women--Elizabeth Lange, Marie Magdelene Baas, Marie Rose Boegue, and Marie Therese Duchemin--established the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the world's first Black religious community, and founded the School for Colored Girls.
"My first thought of Miami was `this is a big city,'" the 17-year-old told The Miami Times. "It was such a beautiful place, but I experienced culture shock once I was here." "Education is more advanced in Haiti and you have to be disciplined," he said. "That played a great part in my success in high school." "I am getting a great opportunity I wouldn't have in Haiti," he said. "I plan to make the best of it."
Through informed presentations on immigration and the need for economic social and political on empowerment, Irwine and his partner, Attorney-at-law Winston Tucker, have established themselves as major community advocates on immigration reform and issues germane to the Caribbean community. In fact since 1995 Irwine and his organization have assisted in excess of 150,000 Caribbean nationals in becoming citizens of the United States. They single handedly led the lobbying effort for an amnesty for undocumented immigrants, collecting thousands of petitions at local events and even taking their call to the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn.
Pierre Toussaint, considered the first American Black saint, is also of Saint-Domingan origin. He was born in 1778 of Haitian slaves in Saint-Domingue, and was owned by a well-educated French family, the Bérards, who brought him to New York with them in 1797 when they fled the slave uprising. While living with the family as a domestic slave, Toussaint learned to read and write and also learned how to be a hairstylist. It is said that he developed a devoted clientele among the city's social elite and was allowed to keep his earnings. Mrs. Bérard freed Toussaint before she died in 1807. Upon Mrs. Bérard's death, Toussaint married a woman from Haiti and, since they had no children of their own, they took in orphans, refugees, and other unfortunate people. In fact, he co-founded with Elizabeth Seton one of the first orphanages in New York City, and helped with fundraising for the city's first cathedral.
Leith earned inclusions in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in America, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in Universal Publication, Who's Who of the Year, (American Biographical Institute), International Woman of the Year (International Biographical Center), and received the Outstanding Achievement Award at Baruch College Alumni Association. From a very early age, Leith had vowed that she must be "a shining star." She wanted to make a difference in society by being a friend and help to mankind. Her childhood dream has metamorphosed into a successful business enterprise. As the Prime Minister of Jamaica extends this latest award, Leith Yetman's star is shining even brighter.
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.
What roles do Caribbean Migrants play in the electing of Caribbean American officials and can Caribbean Americans only win in heavily populated Caribbean communities? Have they become a force to be reckoned with as it regards politics? These and other related questions have been foremost on the lips of many as more and more Caribbean Officials are elected into political positions in their communities. The recently held elections seemed to have further the theory that that Caribbean Americans are strongest in these areas where there is a large Caribbean community, as two more Caribbean Nationals joined the list of a growing number of Caribbean Americans now in politics. Jennifer Williams's one resident of Miramar believes the Caribbean Americans have their best chance in heavily Caribbean populated areas. "It is not that they can't win anywhere else but in these areas their votes are sure. "More Caribbean people, regardless from which island they are from, would much rather be represented by people they can relate to and someone who they believe shares similar issues," she said. "Who better to know of the different problems we experience than a Caribbean City Commissioner and we expect that they will be there to help us resolve some of these problems," she said.
In addressing some of the issue facing Caribbean migrants, Dr. Manley implored everyone to take responsibilities for themselves and their respective islands. "Maybe we have been depending too much on the people we elect. A democracy works best when it has citizens who are willing to be accountable," she said. While empathizing with the terrorism issues, currently affecting the United States, Dr. Manley pointed out that the Caribbean was also experiencing terrorism in its own form. "For us poverty is terrorism. The amount of guns that come into Jamaica from this country is terrorism. Jamaica is way ahead of the other islands with their homicide rate. "Guyana is right behind us and some other islands are beginning to see the same thing happening."
