On Being Haitian and What We Teach Ourselves

By José Vilson | Word In Black(WIB) – I have a confession to make: I went out on a school night a few months ago.The Carib Biz Network and Little Haiti BK co-hosted Island Icons: A Haitian Heritage Celebration, an event celebrating people of Haitian descent making impact in their spheres. I witnessed the atmosphere vibrate in Kreyol and English tongues, appetizers and drinks flowing, Black people in multi-colored garbs around tightly-fit tables. It was great just to be in the room.As a participant, I still had that nagging feeling from my youth when I couldn’t communicate with the other Vilsons because I never even learned French, much less Kreyol. But the grown-up took over and said to myself, “Actually, this moment is a gift.”RELATED: Racist Rumors, Bomb Threats, and Their Toll on Black StudentsLittle did I know that this event, a personified spectrum of the Haitian diaspora, would be so relevant now. As a presidential candidate and his vice-presidential nominee spew hatred about Haitians (again), it matters how we meet the moment. Some have decided to inundate our social media feeds with memes. Others have dodged the question altogether with vague calls for what democracy we have left. Yet,...