Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on Haitians have reopened old fractures in American society. For several days, the Haitian-American community has been trying to make its voice heard and is forced to respond to the false accusations made by the American far right and the Republican candidate. Many figures are also trying to call for unity across American society.
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Since former US President Donald Trump claimed that Haitians in Springfield eat dogs and cats during his debate with Kamala Harristhe Ohio city is living in tension.
A bomb threat forced the city hall to close on Thursday, September 12. The next day, several schools were evacuated. Not to mention the anonymous threats received by establishments identified as Haitian.
Racist remarks
Along with other representatives of civil society, Denis Williams, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Springfield, called for unity. I call on our communities, white, black, Haitian, Mexican, to come together. We cannot embrace violence and hate. We are a city of love and compassion. ” she pleads.
We are well aware of the pain felt by Haitians. That a person of this level, a former American president, an international figure, disrespects us in this way is something very violent. But if we focus on that, we could not continue to live in this country. There is much more positivity than negativity around us. This is what allows us to continue to live in a community where we see the impact of our actions.
Jacinda Gustave, President-Elect of the Haitian-American Lawyers Association of Georgia
The explosion of these racist remarks has affected the entire country, even the White House, where spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned by a journalist about her personal point of view, as an African-American.
” No matter what community is attacked, I take it personally.she said, not just when it comes to mine. It’s all of our responsibility, no matter who you are Jewish American, Muslim American, we should all protect each other and speak out against this kind of rhetoric together. Because it is dangerous and it puts lives at risk. “, explains Karine Jean-Pierre.
Donald Trump did not retract his false accusations. He even reiterated them by calling Haitians ” terrorist assassins “.
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