diaspora - Haiti Observer Blog

Massachusetts House Representative and Haitian-American Linda Dorcena Forry won the Democratic primary race for the Senate against Nick Collins on May 7th 2013. The primary win was a significant victory for Forry because Boston-Irish male politicians have dominated the First Suffolk seat in the Senate. Although the vote count showed Forry won by a small margin, 378 ballots or 47% of ballots cast, over Collins' 45%, he did not contest the election results.

Representative Linda Dorcena Forry said her win was due in large part to her campaign staff's diligence in mounting a concerted get-out-the-vote effort. Door-to-door and phone canvassing kept Forry's name and qualifications uppermost in voters' minds. Her campaign mailers also listed her impressive accomplishments during her eight years in the House, along with respected local politicians and civic leaders' endorsements.

Read more →  

Haiti's Diaspora is an important contributor to its economy. With 70% of Haitians living below the poverty line, and other sources of government income not dependable, the government of Haiti (GOH) looks to the Diaspora to keep a steady stream of remittances arriving to supply basic needs of poor Haitians in rural areas of the island.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) commissioned a study on the Diaspora's remittance patterns in the Caribbean. IADB's foreign investment group, the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), conducted research and compiled statistics. What MIF discovered--when they analyzed the data--are remittances coming from the U.S., Europe, and Canada have doubled within the last decade. Two significant growth increases occurred, from 2005 to 2006, a 6.5% increase in remittances, and from 2009 to 2010, 8.3%.

Read more →  

Haitian-American Harry LaRosiliere, the first Black to be elected as mayor of Plano, Texas, in its entire history

Plano is one of the largest cities in the state of Texas. Haitian-American Harry LaRosiliere wan decisively over his opponent, Republican Party Chair Fred Mosesare by over 20 percent

More information about Haitian Mayors

In his acceptances message, LaRosiliere said:"I am honored that the citizens have given me their trust. "I realize it is a privilege to serve as mayor, and I will work hard for every citizen to make Plano a great place to call their home."

Read more →  

In a report recently released that monitors the amount of Remittances received by the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the report noticed that an important source of income for these countries came from their Diaspora sending money transfers to millions of families and friends to cover basic needs like food, education, health and housing.

Nan yon rapò ki fèk lage monitè kantite lajan Ayiti. Rapò a remake ke yon sous enpòtan nan revni pou peyi sa yo te soti nan Dyaspora yo ki voye transfere lajan.

According to the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), remittances represent more than 10% of the gross domestic product in countries such as Haiti, Guyana, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Jamaica and Guatemala.

Read more →  

The government of Haiti (GOH) and Haitian culture does not support the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transsexual (LGBT) movement. In fact they openly oppose LGBT rights, having expressed their disapproval as far back as 1986.

The Roman Catholic Church and its affiliated groups have also condemned existence and practice of same-sex relationships. But one faith does show acceptance of LGBT people, Voodoo believers. LGBT persons are welcomed to participate in ritualistic rites, and are allowed to ascend the hierarchy as long as they prove themselves worthy.

The Diaspora, in New York City, in 2007 founded social service agency, Haitian Lesbian and Gay Alliance, (HLGA) to support the LGBT community and raise awareness in Haiti. Encouraged by the HLGA's public endorsement, a sprinkling of Haitian gays participated in a gay civil-rights march in 2008, the first of its kind in Haiti.

Read more →  

History of Haitian migration is pretty old. While millions cross the borders to become permanent residents of other countries, there are millions others who ride the same ferry but only to return after some time. Millions of Haitian people migrate and settle in Bahamas, Montreal in Canada, Cancun and Mexico City in Mexico, Cuba, United States and Dominican Republic. Other countries like French Guiana, French Antilles, France, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Chile, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos and Jamaica also have vast numbers of Haitian diaspora.

As of date, it is estimated that around 1.2 million Haitian people live in U.S. with proper documents while there are many others that have entered U.S. borders illegally. Canada is reported to have 200,000 Haitians while Dominican Republic is estimated to have 2 million Haitians. Bahamas accounts for 80,000 Haitians while the reported figure for France is 90,000.

Read more →  

This came as a shock and a surprise to the Haitian community in Spring Valley. In April 2013, Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin and Deputy Mayor Joseph A. Desmaret were arrested Tuesday April 4, 2013 by FBI agents for their alleged involvement in the sale of a land that was supposed to be used for a community center.

This was staged by FBI agents. According to the assistant director of the FBI, George Venizelos, Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin and Deputy Mayor Joseph A. Desmaret were involved in conning some members of the village's board of trustees to vote for a developer, that Jasmin had a financial stake in the sale.

Read more →  

With over 4.5 million Haitians living in other countries around the world, the new Minister of the Haitian Diaspora, still fresh from her inauguration, will have her ambitious work--to post representatives in each region--cut out for her. But, organizing the Diaspora in just such a fashion is what Minister of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) Bernice Fidelia has in mind.

In regions including North America, the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, Mexico, Canada etc., the Diaspora faces challenges which include, but are not defined by the issues of racism and discrimination. 2 million Haitians are estimated to live in neighboring Dominican Republic, where racism was said to be 'rampant' by a UN envoy in 2007. In the United States there is an estimated 1.2 million Haitians, and the government has turned new eyes to Haiti while making plans and reviewing their policy on immigration.

Read more →  

In synchronization, two Haitian college friends lives' have run on parallel tracks. Michel Adrien and Ulrick Cherubin are both mayors of their adopted towns in Quebec, Canada. Adrien runs the town of Mont-Laurier and Cherubin, Amos. Each has experienced popularity with their constituents, with multiple terms of office.

Cherubin, almost 70, and Adrien, in his mid-60s, first got acquainted at Port-au-Prince University during the 1960s. They had each decided on a teaching career, and it was Adrien, with better math skills, who helped Cherubin meet his general education requirements.

During Cherubin and Adrien's early life, Haiti suffered under the tyrannous reigns of François Duvalier and son, Jean-Claude. Adrien left Haiti after graduation, immigrating to Montreal. Within a year, he found a teaching position in Mont-Laurier. Although a town with little racial diversity, he felt accepted at once. Cherubin, who left Haiti in 1971, also found acceptance in Amos. He arrived there on the offer of a teaching position in 1973.

Read more →  

From April 17th -21st the National Day of the Diaspora will be celebrated for the third year. This event was promulgated in 2011 by President Michel Martelly. The Minister of Haitians Living Abroad, Dr. Fidélia, is extending an invitation for every citizen to come and enjoy the events planned for the day, being offered free.

MHLA is partnering with the Association of the Haitian Diaspora Working in Haiti to present this year's theme, "The Real Integration of the Diaspora for a Green Haiti". It will focus on greening Haiti's infrastructure: solar energy, green buildings, agriculture, and recycling. President Martelly, as keynote speaker, will officiate on opening day, Wednesday the 17th, at Karibe Convention Center.

Read more →