Haitian Heritage Month - Jim Barnes PSA 2022

May is Haitian Heritage Month - a time to celebrate and honor the diverse culture, heritage, and contributions of the Haitian community throughout history.
If you follow news about Haiti, then you have probably noticed how the words “poorest country in the Western Hemisphere” often follow Haiti’s name. Yet, people are much more than the state of their economy. They have hopes, dreams, and talents, and indeed a history that transcends per-capita income. This is important to remember always, but especially during Haitian Heritage Month.
Haiti, in fact, is the world’s second-oldest republic and the first nation to permanently ban slavery. It served as an important example and beacon of freedom for its neighbors in the Americas and especially those enslaved in the U.S. antebellum South, including Frederick Douglass.
Haiti has certainly faced significant headwinds over the years, driven by the international community and natural disasters, as well as internal politics. But, challenges are not the definition of a people; they are only mountains to summit together.
May reminds Haitians of the historic pact signed by the Black and Mulatto officers at the May 1803's congress. As a result, those officers created the Haitian Flag on the last day of the congress, on May 18, 1803. And, under that flag, they fought and expelled the French army, so Haiti became the first Black independent country in the world on January 1st, 1804.
The Haitian flag states L’Union Fait La Force... Unity Makes Strength. Together, we can continue to elevate Haitian voices and shine a spotlight on their contributions to our country and the world.
Haitian Heritage Month was first celebrated in the United States in Boston, Massachusetts, and has since been celebrated for more than 20 years across the nation. As more than 300,000 people with Haitian ancestry live in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, I encourage our residents to study, observe, and celebrate the Haitian community in Wellington, this month and beyond.

[@Mimisamedy]

Thank you may God bless you