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Syracuse University senior Liliana Germain wasn’t surprised by the rise in anti-Haitian hate that followed former President Donald Trump’s initial false accusation that Haitian immigrants were eating cats and dogs in Ohio during the September presidential debate.

Germain, president of SU’s Haitian-American Student Association, said she’s become all too familiar with the negative stereotypes imposed on her community, from the stigma surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Haiti to discrimination against refugees following the 2010 earthquake.

“Having to say we’re used to it is really sad, but I can’t really say it was a super shock to the system,” Germain said.

Around a week after the debate, HASA posted a public service announcement to its Instagram page speaking out against Trump’s false claims. The post aimed to contextualize the claims and raise awareness about the broader issue of anti-Haitian rhetoric in the United States. Though HASA members said they haven’t experienced discrimination on SU’s campus, they still feel impacted by the false claims and want to accurately inform the community about Haiti.

Since HASA released the statement, politicians have continued to bring the debunked claims to the public eye. Though, the Springfield, Ohio woman who initially posted the claims to her Facebook page admitted she had no first-hand knowledge of the alleged incident and said she did not intend to spark false rumors.

HASA’s statement highlighted the backstory, climax, history and significance of anti-Haitian hate in the context of the recent false claims in the post. Germain said the association plans to continue fighting back against the hatred, though it is not a new experience for the Haitian community.

Multiple HASA members said much historical anti-Haitian hate is a result of the stereotype that the country is solely one of poverty.

Dejah-Symphony Fenelon, a former president of HASA and SU senior, said the hateful narratives are likely due to a lack of education about Haiti and the normalization of negative rhetoric around its people.

Recent TikTok trends turning Trump’s soundbite into a joke have put a strain on relationships with others, some HASA members said. Germain said the lack of support from others on behalf of Haiti makes jokes like these feel intentional.

Schneider Joachim, a HASA student representative and SU junior, said that when people like Trump use their power to spread hateful rhetoric, it’s challenging to speak out against them.

“People who are supposed to be leaders in our country (are) amplifying false rhetoric, and they’re running with it, even after being apprehended about it,” Joachim said.

As a Haitian immigrant himself, Joachim said he has had a difficult time trying to assimilate and was taught not to openly express his culture.

HASA Vice President Amaya Saintal, an SU junior, also emphasized the need for education about Haiti. She said HASA wants to urge people on campus to research the economic and social history of Haiti and its relationship with the U.S. before passing judgments.

“It’s still rich in culture, and it’s rich in so much movement and power,” Saintal said.

Joachim said he’s found ways to succeed despite discriminatory rhetoric, including doing well in school, showcasing his identity, helping his family and trying to make an impact on society. He also found a community in HASA, which he said he relies on for support.

“What can students like us do? The answer is to use our voice,” Joachim said. “Having HASA, having our allies at SU, having our fellow Caribbean organizations, helping speak out, sharing our content, speaking against the false rhetoric – that goes a long way.”

HASA members said they want the focus on Haiti’s accomplishments rather than its negatives, including its independence from France in 1804. Haiti’s slogan as a country is “unity is strength,” which HASA uses to support its community through the anti-Haitian hate, Saintal said.

“Despite everything that goes on with the news and making negative comments about our culture, we still continue to have love for our culture and show pride in it,” Fenolon said.

Published on October 7, 2024 at 12:06 am

Contact Roxanne: rmboychu@syr.edu