The hate I see for Haitians transcends xenophobia. The kin of Toussaint Louverture appear to be seen as a threat. It is not because of their economic power. And certainly not because they are colonisers. The inherited hate appears to be rooted in rebellion, spirituality and racism.
Why would anyone despite Haitians? Often, we must use our moral compass to judge ourselves. Introspection will often compel us to confront our fears, address our insecurities and see the need to begin deconditioning our minds.
I know that one reason Haitians are feared is because of their African spiritual practices. Even though today much of Haiti lives by the Christian faith, spiritual practices, such as Vodou, are seen as synonymous with evil. Spiritualty practised in any form can be used for good or evil. We have seen the evil and good that religion has done to the world.
Haiti is the nation that has preserved its culture more than any other nation in the Caribbean region. Haiti was the first to break the chains of enslavement in this part of the world. The Haitian Revolution was the most successful slave rebellion in history. Yet, there are those who would rather endorse and celebrate the evil of the slave masters, rather than celebrate a strong nation for defeating them. Every Caribbean nation should honour and respect Haiti.
I am not surprised how many Guyanese appear to regard the Haitians. The anti-Haitianism I see is self-hate. Right here we mock and demonise our own people for preserving traditions and deviating from the popular beliefs and practices.
I am not surprised that governments past and present have allowed the mistreatment of Haitians. Whatever their motives are for allowing it while others enter Guyana freely, they know. But I will assume prejudice and racism are major parts of it. Some will quietly watch apartheid take shape in Guyana because they think they will not make up the oppressed ones even as the gap between the haves and the have-nots continues to widen.
And, we, the people, how quickly we forget how many of us would have protested when nations like Barbados and Trinidad treated us poorly. When we are mistreated by other CARICOM nations, quickly we would make reference to the Treaty of Chaguaramas which allows free movement of CARICOM nationals. CARICOM nationals can remain for up to six months in any CARICOM nation once they are not engaged in unlawful acts, like working without a permit, establishing businesses or taking up residence.
I believe in free movement around the world. We are all citizens of the Earth. These restrictions we have created about who can travel where are tools of oppression. While colonizers happened upon lands already occupied and called themselves discoverers, people who are seeking a way out of poverty or fleeing dangerous conditions are often labelled illegal immigrants.
We have detained 26 Haitians, including children, who legally entered our country; whose passports were stamped for six months. Suspicions of human trafficking were cited though the people have said that they are not being trafficked. We have handcuffed at least one Haitian, who had to seek medical treatment, to a bed. The inhumane conditions in which they are being held reveals exactly what we think about Haitians. We see through the charade of concern about human trafficking and know those in charge do not care about these people. We see that in a time of COVID they have no issue displaying how coldhearted they are by treating our CARICOM brothers and sisters like criminals. But not just any CARICOM brothers or sisters, just Haitians.
What crimes have Haitians committed in Guyana to justify the way they are being treated? Are they taking our jobs? Are the many businesses on Regent and Robb streets being run by Haitians? Are they obtaining our natural resources to enrich themselves? We are not even subtle about our discrimination against people who are not the greatest threat. We break bread with those who pose the greatest threat, display their flags, put their faces on billboards and behave like slaves in their presence.
Recently, I have not heard of any Venezuelans being detained.
I have not heard of any Brazilians.
I have not heard of any Cubans.
I have not heard of any Americans.
I have not heard of any Europeans.
I have not heard of any Asians.
All these are nationalities I am seeing in our country. There are many of them who have come to work, many who own businesses, and many who have come to reap oil wealth and enrich their generations while many Guyanese will probably not benefit from a drop of oil anytime soon.
Is it only a particular ethnic group or nationality that is seen as a threat?
Guyana and Haiti are separated by water. The language barrier also separates us. But we have more in common than differences. We are all children who were separated from our original places, dehumanized by colonists who interrupted and corrupted our history; and who took credit for our greatness and taught us to hate ourselves.
I understand why Haitians who are in Guyana working legally may be afraid to speak to defend their brothers and sisters who are being mistreated. Many Guyanese understand what it means to be in a foreign country working under a cloud of fear of deportation and discrimination.
For now, the deportation order for twenty Haitians has been suspended in a ruling made by Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire. Their struggles, however, are far from over.
Bob Marley, quoting Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, famously sang, “Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war. Me say war. That until there no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation. Until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes, me say war. That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, dis a war.”
How do these diaspora wars benefit us? Are we a better country for mistreating Haitians?
