I have gone back and forth about writing this. Many, many times. After writing, I have gone back and forth about posting. I am struggling with knowing that some things just need to be said but also know some may get their feelings hurt. But, here I am, I have decided that it is worth it to stand up for those you love. So, here are my thoughts..
In the last few months, maybe even a year, I have been totally disturbed by things I have seen people write or heard them say. I have become physically ill just reading what others have said about a people and nation that I love. One thing I have learned is that you can be around people all the time for years on end but that does not necessarily mean that you have a relationship with them. I consider myself blessed to have real relationships with Haitians. Each time that I read something negative about Haitians or hear others speak negatively about Haitians, I feel as if someone as stabbed me directly in the heart. What is worse is when I look at who is saying these things. People who claim to be Christians, people in political power, people who may be considered celebrities, other missionaries. Missionaries to Haiti who speak in a way that would make you believe they hate Haitians. And I am supposed to sit back and smile and act as if this is okay.
I have sat back and stayed silent far too long. I can no longer allow people to speak about my friends, my family, in such a way. I have quietly cringed as I listened to people describe Haitians (and emphasized all) as stupid, as worthless, as unaware. I have watched as someone spent an entire day bashing Haitians and saying they are dirty and annoying and then give them a tract and say “Jesus loves you!”. I have watched as politicians have mistook information and allowed a social media frenzy that speaks poor of one single people group. I have heard and read things that truly make me want to vomit just thinking about them. I cannot imagine the gall that it requires to describe an entire nation as “less than people”. I have witnessed some of the worst racism and just total dehumanizing that exists.
I cannot even begin to write this blog post without tears in my eyes. Those who say and write these things may not see Haitians as people, but when they say it I see so many names and faces flash before my eyes. People that love me and care for regardless of all of my faults. People who amaze me day in and day out.
Here are some adjectives that I would personally attribute to Haitians: loving, caring, beautiful, intelligent, wise, patient, compassionate, family oriented, trustworthy, forward thinking, innovative, resilient, considerate, aimiable, determined, helpful, sincere, unique, funny, willing, resourceful, devoted. I could go on and on and on.
Something I have said recently is that the more time I spend with my Haitian friends, the more I get to know them, the less I want to be around anyone else. They are so real. It hurts me to hear their hurts. It hurts to hear how they have been mistreated or spoken poorly to. I feel a profound sadness whenever I imagine that anyone can think negatively of them.
I am not naive, I know that I am surronded by good people. I know that not all Haitians are the same. Just like not all Americans, Canadians, Europeans, etc etc etc. I know that there are Haitians that are not good people. But I also know that there are Haitians who are incredible people who will truly change your life. To put them in one group just because of their nationality, totally ridiculous.
Recently, in a discussion with a fellow missionary who I have a lot of respect for, she brought up the word dignity. Serving in ministry with dignity. Dignity is literally the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. It made me think, how do we serve with dignity? How do we treat others with dignity? When in ministry, we have to treat those we are serving with dignity as well as those that we are serving alongside. This isn’t a difficult thing, it just requires some thought. Not to say that it is easy or comes natural at all, but it is an optainable goal. I want to be known for serving with dignity, among my Haitian brothers and sisters, fellow missionaries, supporters, etc. It brings me back to something I have been thinking a lot about lately, how does dignity connect to basic human rights?
I have been reminded over and over these last few months, either by personal experiences or by stories shared with others, that not everyone receives basic human rights. Not everyone is treated with dignity. And the reasoning is nonsensical. Some big wig will always have a reason for it but if you take one single second to think about their reason you can see that it isn’t a reason at all. Why can someone not enter a church service with clothes that aren’t perfect? Why can I take my friend to the hospital and they ask her one question (and in a judgmental tone at that)? Why do children not have access to silverware and are instead eating with their hands? Why do some not even have food at all? Why does a parent have to choose between sending their child to the doctor or feeding the child? Why is it okay for someone to refuse to sell oxygen even when they know the need is urgent? Why do some not get the opportunity at a basic education? Why is it hard for some to find clean drinking water? Why is it okay for a electric company to not provide power in over 3 years? Why do thousands have to live in daily fear of what could be around the corner? Why, why, why? Many are familiar with Maslows hierarchy of needs (check out below), why are some not allowed the basic ones?
The UN has a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I highly encourage you to check it out, see if you are excercising your rights and if you are allowing others to excersice theirs… https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
It hurts. It hurts to see that many are not allowed their basic rights, are not having their basic needs met, simply because of their nationality. I cannot even begin to imagine how it feels to actually be in that position. I know that I am just a little fish in a big pond, I know my words do not carry a lot of weight, I know that I cannot change the world on my own. But I believe that if I can stand up for what I believe in, someone else can too. The more of us who stand together to fight these injustices, the bigger the waves. I love my Haitian family and I will no longer sit back and quietly listen and watch as they are attacked simply because of the nation they were born into.
Love You to Haiti and Back 