Since the September 10th, 2024 presidential debate, Haitian migrants have been on edge.
During that debate, Former President Donald Trump reiterated false claims of Haitian migrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio. His running mate, JD Vance, had previously stated that Haitians in Springfield were eating people’s pets.
According to the nonprofit Global Philadelphia, Philadelphia is home to 30,000 Haitians. SCH is home to many Haitian Americans, as well.
Mr. Maxime Sinal, our director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is Haitian-American. He was disheartened by the hate speech. “I grew up in New York City and in a Haitian community that really celebrated food and culture, and for there to be a dismissal of that with false narratives about the kind of food that we eat was not only saddening but somewhat dangerous…”
Haitians have had different reactions to President Donald Trump and JD Vance’s claims. Bartley Jeannoutte, an Upper School English teacher, sees the spreading narratives as eye-opening.
As an educator, Mr. Jeannoutte said, “I think it just highlights how susceptible people are to misinformation, but also how quickly hate can spread … [people] put others down for whatever reason.”
“It makes you feel bad… We all feel like dirt.” Said Murielle Telemaque, a Haitian and Finicial Aid Manager/Admissions Office Data Manager at SCH.
Outside of SCH, many people are working with Haitians in the Philadelphia area. For example, Pastor Christopher Neilson from The Living Church of Philadelphia has worked with Haitians in the area since 2021 when he began working through the church on immigration justice. Commenting on Haitians’ reaction to the flare in anti-immigrant sentiment, he stated, “… the Haitian community has always been silent. It has been dormant.”
Despite this silence, Haitians are scared. “The Haitians I have spoken with are afraid of what’s going to happen if [Donald Trump] wins the election … We need to see what happens next,” said Esaie Pierre, this writer’s father and the co-founder of the nonprofit Men Anpil, which helps Haitians integrate into the Philadelphia community since 2021.
Many Haitian migrants have been able to emigrate through Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, to escape gang violence and political unrest. Mr. Pierre shared that many Haitians are scared they may have to leave the U.S. under Trump. But, they are not surprised.
“To voice their concerns, Haitians use the phrase “Tèt chaje.” It doesn’t have a direct translation in English, but I would describe it as feeling heavily burdened,” Pierre added.
Pastor Neilson and Mr. Pierre are dedicated to supporting the Haitian migrant community no matter the election result.
Mr. Pierre stated, “…We will continue to actively fight and raise our voice in support of our brothers and sisters in that goal.”
In our SCH community, many Haitians have felt comfort in their identity. Being Haitian has given Mr. Sinal the strength and foundation to advocate for all his students.
He stated, “My Haitian identity has reinforced my confidence and my strength to really not only be who I want to be but be an advocate for all those students who want to create their own path … I want [students] to feel, regardless of who they are, they can create a path of success with capitalizing on the resources and everything that they need here at SCH.”