Haitian Resource Center's Call To Action

In recent weeks Haiti and other countries, in fact a whole continent, came under attack and were referred to with a most debased, derogatory, and defiled word. The Haitian Resource Center (HRC) chooses to respond, not in kind, but by bringing to light the richness of Haiti, its history and people.

On January 17, 2018, the Haitian Resource Center held a Call to Action. In attendance were members of the Haitian community, the local community, community leaders, and members of various organizations, along with the Mayor of White Plains Thomas Roach, State Assemblyman David Buchwald and a representative from Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office.

Erlande Thelusma, a young Haitian American and teacher, talked about how hurtful the words were, which she believes was driven by hate. She told the audience that she has two very hardworking parents who came here in search of the American Dream; they wanted to raise her and the family here. She said there are thousands of Haitians living in the United States and that they must be represented and will not be silenced.

Kurt Kannemeyer, the executive director of the Haitian American Cultural and Social Organization (HASCO), which itself held a Call to Action the day before in Rockland County, said that friends back in his native South Africa told him that it seems he is once again going through apartheid.

Rev. Dr. Edward Williamson, pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church in White Plains, said he proudly stands in solidarity with his Haitian brothers and sisters. He said this was the struggle of Blacks in the United States. He added that he was concerned about the corporate soul of our communities and country. It seems as though America has lost her collective soul, he said.

Deb Margoluis, a Jewish American and member of the NAACP of White Plains-Greenburgh, standing in solidarity with Haitians, said that this is a reminder of a time when a people were first described, identified and corralled.

The diverse group of attendees split themselves into groups and worked on five identified actions, which continue to be works in progress:

• To have May declared as Haitian Heritage Month in the City of White Plains (agreed to by the Mayor), the County of Westchester and State of New York (agreed to by Assemblyman Buchwald). We will request that it is taken through the legislative process on the State and Federal levels. The White Plains Library has agreed to participate in activities during the month and requests have been made to the library to display Haitian art and books during the month. The library will conduct an oral history project.
• To host Haitian Flag Day on May 19th in the City of White Plains. In addition to the festival and educational activities which will be held at the Thomas H. Slater Center, there will be a flag raising at the Renaissance Plaza on Main Street in White Plains.
• To strongly encourage the school district to include Haiti and its rich history in its curricula, if not already included, and to see how and what the district will do to address the anticipated escalation of bullying of Haitian and Haitian American children.
• To write a letter to Congress and request that the letter is read on the floor of Congress.
• To rally in Washington, D.C., beginning with local rallies.

HRC plans to host workshops on Pathway to Citizenship, Know Your Rights and Anti-Bullying, and hold a Voter Registration drive. Beginning on February 26th, the HRC will host a local cable television show.

For more information or to join one of the Call to Action committees, please contact Myrlene Chauvette at the Haitian Resource Center at (914) 948-6211.

Submitted by Heather Miller, Executive Director, Thomas H. Slater Center