Operation Understanding DC’s mission is to oppose racism, antisemitism, and bigotry against any ethnic, racial or religious group. Our mission leads us to condemn such bigotry when we see it, and to celebrate differences among ethnic communities. For reasons obvious to anyone following the current campaigns for President, OUDC is celebrating the history of Haiti and the rich culture of Haitians in this country.
Haiti was the first country in the Americas following the United States to gain its independence. Fighting off Napoleon’s army, Haiti became independent under the leadership of three generals Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Henri Christophe, and Toussaint L’Ouverture. On January 1, 1804, Haiti declared its independence, but the country was not recognized by the United States until 1826. Haiti’s independence marked the birth of the first Black republic in the Western Hemisphere.
Despite its long history of independence, Haiti has experienced significant political turmoil that has greatly impoverished the nation. First, Haiti was forced by the United States and France to pay reparations for its freedom, incurring an enormous debt that greatly impoverished the nation. Haiti suffered the 2010 earthquake, which killed over 150,000 people and decimated the capital Port-au-Prince. These and other setbacks have led many Haitians to emigrate to the United States and other countries. Some of the largest Haitian diaspora populations reside in New York and Montreal, totaling 187,000 and 150,000, respectively. At OUDC, we value the Jewish principle of welcoming the stranger and immigrant into our homes. Haitians should not be the exception.
Haitians have a rich culture of community, family, dance, and food. Haitians place a strong emphasis on education and work ethic. In their communities they bond through their languages French and Haitian Creole with a catch phrase made famous in the 2010s “sak pase?” (what’s up?) in several hip-hop songs. A Haitian American hip-hop group The Fugees won three Grammys in 1997. Haitian writers, such as Edwidge Danticat, have made great contributions to world literature.
Absurd, bigoted and admittedly fabricated claims by the Republican candidates for President and Vice President about Haitians represent an effort to score cheap points in support of an anti-immigration platform at the expense of a marginalized community. Humanity and the United States should stand for something better. OUDC hopes that through pursuit of its mission it is developing social justice leaders who will continue to take the lead in fighting such forces.
