Exploring the Nuances of Being Haitian American in the Racial Justice Space
Being a Haitian American person in the racial justice space can be a complex and nuanced experience. As a Haitian American, I have had the privilege of not experiencing the systemic oppression that has been inflicted on African Americans due to American slavery. This privilege has allowed me to speak and present on racial equity without experiencing some of the same harms that other Black Americans have faced.
However, this privilege also comes with a sense of duality. On one hand, I am a part of the Black community and face the same discrimination and racism as my fellow Black Americans because I present as Black. On the other hand, I am a Haitian American and have a unique perspective and cultural identity that informs my experiences and viewpoints on what it means to be Black.
And some of you may be wondering, how is African American, Black and being Haitian American all different? African American within the context of the United States assumes that the person is the descendant of American slavery. Being Black is all encompassing, this includes anyone whose Black genes predominate phenotypically. And Being Haitian American means having direct roots to Haiti, but living in America. I am Black, but NOT African American.
As I navigate the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) space, I often feel conflicted. I have a responsibility to speak up and advocate for racial equity, but I also feel like an outsider at times. When discussing things like Black Codes, Drapetomania, and the unconsented surgery on slaves, I feel a sense of hurt and pain, but at the same time, I haven't been directly impacted by these particular atrocities.
The mentality we or our parents had when immigrating to this country is a privilege, as they were not fully aware of the gruesomeness of American slavery and Jim Crow and saw this country as a land of opportunity like many immigrants do.
These conflicting emotions can be challenging to navigate. It can feel like an erasure of African Americans when I speak on issues that I haven't personally been impacted by and have learned over time. At the same time, I know that oppression isn't just limited to race, and I also know that the long and harmful strategy of oppression against Black people is like no other and must be centered. Additionally, we must understand that anti-Blackness is global and colonialism has played a significant role in the oppression of the Island of Haiti, which is another topic for another day.
I often wonder if other first and second-generation immigrants have similar thoughts and feelings. How do they navigate the space of advocating for racial equity while also recognizing their own unique cultural identity and experiences? The ability to distance ourselves from the material when contextualized by American slavery is a privilege. The mentality we or our parents had when immigrating to this country is a privilege, as they were not fully aware of the gruesomeness of American slavery and Jim Crow and saw this country as a land of opportunity like many immigrants do. This shifted mindset is a protective factor imparted on people of the immigrant population. Again, identity informs our social treatment so things like language become a barrier, but that is a different kind of barrier.
I ruminate on the idea of the “good Black” versus the “bad Black” as a mind game that pins us together while pinning us down because there is all of this internal and societal movement that comes into play. The “good Black” has a thin coat of privilege, different orientation to the United States and presented with a certain level of opportunity which allowed them to immigrate in the first place. While the “bad Black” understands the intentions and epically flawed structure of this country and has been directly impacted by it for generations. Key word here being generations.
As a Haitian American woman who does presentations on racial equity, I've come to understand the importance of acknowledging and honoring the unique experiences and perspectives of all individuals, regardless of their cultural background. We can all contribute to the fight for racial justice in our own way, and it's important to recognize and value the different viewpoints and experiences that we bring to the table while honoring the viewpoints we do not bring or are missing from the table.
In conclusion, being a Haitian American person in the racial justice space is a complex and multifaceted experience. While I may have a different cultural identity and unique experiences from African Americans, I still face discrimination and racism as a member of the Black community. It's important to acknowledge and value the different experiences and perspectives that individuals bring to the DEI space and work towards a collective goal of achieving racial equity, liberation and justice.