Dr. Edwidge Crevecoeur Bryant, a renowned scholar and speaker, and Professor at University of North Florida, will deliver the keynote address. She is a proud Haitian-American whose brilliance, public speaking and charisma commend the reverence and high regard of all. A leading proponent for advancing higher education in the state, she will argue the need for a significant community effort to help our students through college. Professor Bryant is a role model for our entire community. We are fortunate to also have The Honorable Paul Novack, Attorney at Law, former Mayor of the Town of Surfside and Member of the Florida State Oversight Board for the Miami-Dade County Public School District, to speak on higher education being a vital investment in the future.
"FANM is a grassroots organization," Bastien said. "When people come here they come here with great hope that we will be able to attend to their needs, but oftentimes because of our financial situation we are unable to." In addition to the information that will be provided at the open house, FANM will present a sampling of Haitian cuisine, Haitian art and a musical presentation by children from the Haitian community. The event is free, but FANM will accept donations to further the work of the organization.
Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), emphasized the relevance of Haiti's historical past because Haiti was the land where the Negroes repelled the Whites and established an independent republic. In the same vein, writers of the Harlem Renaissance embraced Haiti's history and culture. Claude McKay's work, for example, is replete with tales of Haiti's heroic past. [Langston Hughes], perhaps the most central figure of the Harlem Renaissance movement, having read of "Toussaint L'Ouverture, Dessalines, King Christophe, proud Black names," made a pilgrimage to Haiti.
"IBM is honored to sponsor this spectacular exhibition that tells the story of a nation's history while giving all of us a broader view of Haiti's cultural heritage," said Gregg A. DeMar, general manager, Great Lakes Area, IBM Corporation. "Through the study of diverse cultures we often learn more about ourselves, our beliefs and values, as well as gain insight into those whose heritage is represented in an exhibition such as `Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou.'" The predominant religion of the Haitian people, Vodou was created by enslaved Africans who transformed their beliefs and rituals according to the conditions they had to face in the New World. These African traditions encountered European traditions -- the art and ritual practices of Roman Catholicism -- to emerge in an original form, Vodou. The word "Vodou," meaning "sacred," was borrowed into Haitian Creole from the Fon language of West Africa. Parallel African-derived religions now flourish in the Caribbean, South America and major cities of the United States and Canada.
"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."
The Haitian-American Association for Political Action (HAAPA,) headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y., officially endorsed Ms. [Tamara Grandoit] for the New York City Councilmanic district number 46. After reviewing her platform including a question and answer session, HAAPA members decided to endorse her and contributed a total of $1,100 to Ms. Grandoit's campaign. If successful, Ms. Tamara Grandoit will be the first candidate of Haitian ancestry to be elected to the New York City Council. This feat is long overdue, given the significant number of Haitian-Americans living in New York City, and particularly in the Brooklyn area.
HAUP's Chairperson, Mr. Yves Merry Telemaque is counting on private matching contributions to provide desperately needed funds to keep the Queens Community Center functioning at its current location at 221-05 Linden Blvd. in Cambria Heights, Queens.
We must continue to support one another for the future of our community. We need to see more African American leaders coming into the Haitian community, not just during election time but throughout the year. We need to see more solid commitment on the part of the Haitian community also to join different causes in the African American community. These are the only ways we can overcome in this struggle for equality. If we continue to treat our political interests as separate entities, we will never get to partake of the ftuits of democracy. Concerned citizens and political officials in both communities need to let people know that we don't have a Haitian/African American problem. I would hope that the Haitian community can realize that just because Mr. Duke, an African American, was defeated by Mr. [Joe Celestin], a Haitian, that Haitians are not "better" or "tougher" or "stronger" than the African American community. Likewise, the African American community needs the growing Haitian vote in the future. Haitian and African American people are one race, living through different cultural lifestyles. It's okay to have different lifestyles, as long as we respect each others' differences, without animosity or violence. For instance, the Latin community is comprised of Spanish-speaking people from different countries: Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, etc. Does anyone think that these groups are in complete harmony with one another? The answer is no. The different Spanish-speaking groups do not like one another that much but, in reality, when it comes to standing up for a common cause you see them marching side by side, taking pictures with each other and voting for each other.
"The change in government is not really a good change for Haiti now," said Roslindale resident Rosemond Cineus. "We have to follow the constitution. This president was elected for five years." "I always sent money, food and clothes," said Jean, whose aunts and uncles live in Port au Prince and Gonaives. "[Since the rebellion] we have to send more money, because everything is more expensive. They're hopeful things will get better, but it's worse in terms of jobs and food is scarce." "We didn't expect [foreign troops]," said [Jacques Victor]. "We wish that in the long run we can have our own troops in there directing them, but for now we work with them."
"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.
