This month we celebrate the rich and beautiful Haitian culture -- a heritage filled with music, art, food, poetry, as well as the economic, social, political, cultural and historic achievements of the Haitian people and the diaspora living here in the United States. We are reminded that Haiti is the first nation in Latin America to free itself from colonial rule through an independence revolution. We also celebrate Haitian Flag Day on May 18 where we celebrate Catherine Flon, the Haitian seamstress, patriot and national heroine who sewed the first Haitian flag in 1803. She became one of the symbols of the Haitian revolution.
The Haitian people have accomplished so much, and overcome such adversity. I have seen some of this first hand.
When I was young, my parents adopted my three sisters from orphanages in Vietnam during the early 70s. So, I grew up in a multi-cultural family, learning how we can help change the trajectory of lives with love, compassion and empathy.
In 1992, during my third year of law school, I saw the human tragedy unfolding in Haiti as people organized and fought for democratic reforms and rights against an autocratic dictator I started a project for law students, which began as a spring break project and grew into a national force of over 30 law schools. We traveled to Little Haiti in Miami to work on political asylum applications for those who were being targeted with and escaping from violence because of their democratic organizing efforts and fighting for freedom. I heard firsthand the harrowing journey of common people doing extraordinary and heroic things to fight for freedom and democracy, at great personal cost, pain and loss.
In 2010, I travelled twice to Haiti after the devastating earthquake, the first time not long after the airport reopened, bringing supplies and gifts of love for the children at the airport hospital from our PTA and organizations in South Florida. The experience is etched in my being – in the presence of so much catastrophic destruction, loss and suffering, but also so much resilience in a people with such a long history of overcoming adversity ... as well the outpouring of love from around the world helping during that crisis.
This month, while we celebrate Haitian Heritage, we also are aware of the current terrible humanitarian crisis in Haiti and how painful this time is for our neighbors and friends of Haitian heritage, whose families are struggling and in dire circumstances.
Take the time to explore and celebrate the beautiful Haitian culture, food, music and the historic, social and political achievements of Haiti and the Haitian people right here in Sunrise and South Florida!