ASSOCIATION

Haiti is the the first black republic in the world but as any other countries in the world we are not homogeneous.  Some miseducated people in the world as well as Haitians themselves wants to frame Haiti in a capsule in believing that it is different from the rest of the countries in the Americas when it comes to diversity.  This ideology is so ingrained that Haitians themselves have adopted this mindset.  Although the majority of population of Haiti is black there is a diversity and multiculturalism as well. Within the majority there are various shades of colors.

A white or mulatto Haitian man or woman would not be seen according to Haitian standards as someone who would want the best for the country and thereby not the ideal presidential candidate.  Color play a divisive role in the Black republic and the way that Haiti can be isolated in Latin America.  When you think about Latinos do you think about Haiti? yet Haiti is part of Latin America.  Multiculturalism is not even an issue that anyone in Haiti wants to tackle with.  Yet, this multiculturalism has had positive effect right down to our gastronomy.  A great example is Kibbey, an middle-eastern dish which has become a Haitian staple yet ask any Haitians about the Arab-descent  who have been living since the 19th century in Haiti and they will tell you that they are not haitians, they are  "no good for the country".  As far as Chinese-Haitian? we do not even want to go there.

The founding fathers of Haiti believed that humanity  transcended race, however the historical context of that time compelled them to take a radical decision  in terms of protecting the nation but it still did not prevent them from outreaching to help all nations.  Diversity and multiculturalism needs to be dealth with as we are aspiring for unity and peace in Haiti.  Through the PIDETWAL program we engage these dialogues.