Haiti, a small Caribbean nation that shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, has faced various challenges throughout its history. These include natural disasters, poverty, racial tensions, and political instability. One significant danger in Haiti is the prevalence of violent crime, which encompasses assault, armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, and rape. Poverty affects over fifty-eight percent of the population here; out of this percentage, twenty-four percent live in extreme poverty conditions. The country also struggles with high illness rates and limited food resources. Unfortunately, its citizens lack the means to address these urgent issues. It is worth mentioning that Haiti holds personal significance to me as it is my mother’s place of origin.
My mother, Nerzia, was born in the city of Jean-Rabel. My grandfather had an affair with her mother and being the love child of his indiscretion, he had nothing to do with my mom. My Grandpa was an ambassador and couldn’t damage his reputation. Mom lived with my grandmother until she was eight years old. My grandma had gotten very sick and they couldn’t afford medicine. She ended up dying in my mother’s arms. There was a massacre on July 23rd, 1987 in Jean-Rabel, killing over one hundred and thirty people. My mom was just a kid and already dealing with the loss of her mother, not having any food or money, and now having to run for her life and pray she doesn’t die too. Her aunt on her dad’s side took her in after she learned of my grandmother’s death and the massacre.
Despite my mom now living with my grandpa’s sister, he still chose not to be involved with her and barely helped his sister care for her. Due to the enemies he made as an ambassador, Haiti became unsafe for him and his family. So, he applied for asylum for himself and his children, including my mom. Luckily, their application was approved. However, they had to move to Port-au-Prince and take blood tests to prove their biological relation to my grandpa.
Temporarily residing in Port-au-Prince until all arrangements were made for their journey to America, the US government provided them with a house in Tennessee and ensured that all school-aged children were enrolled in school. Additionally, they offered initial financial assistance but emphasized self-reliance.
At only eleven years old, my mom had already experienced more than most people do in their entire lives. The painful memories from her childhood are typically avoided. Nevertheless, she recently shared with me her journey to America. I could sense her reluctance and tears throughout our phone call. Imagining my mom as a young girl cradling her deceased mother brought tears to my eyes too. It made me realize that I would never have the chance to meet or know what my grandmother looked like. The overwhelming feeling of abandonment that must have consumed my mom when she believed her father didn’t want or love her was heartbreaking. Witnessing numerous deaths before fleeing for safety added a horrifying element to this true story – it wasn’t just a film but rather the reality of my mom’s life.
Despite immigrating to the United States with hopes of a better life, my mother faced ongoing difficulties. Regrettably, even her own relatives – including my step-grandmother and some of my mother’s sisters – treated her poorly. They subjected her to cruel tactics like withholding food, isolating her in her room, and even evicting her from the house. Astonishingly, despite enduring these abuses, my mom chose not to retaliate. She never argued or displayed any disrespect towards them because she cherished the fact that her father had brought her to America. To her, this opportunity represented the chance to build an exceptional existence for herself and she would forever be grateful for it.
At the age of fifteen, my mom and dad crossed paths, defying their families’ disapproval and embracing their diverse backgrounds. Despite facing early hardships and heartbreak, they formed an unbreakable connection that endured for five years. In 2001, they celebrated the arrival of a baby girl. While my mom may not have accomplished her life aspirations or attained the success she yearned for, she considers herself fortunate to have brought three extraordinary children into this world who she firmly believes will accomplish extraordinary feats.
It is incredibly important for me to learn my mom’s story because I am biracial. Understanding the history of both cultures and families is essential as it provides me with a sense of self. Without this knowledge, I would feel lost and confused about my identity. Now, I have a comprehensive understanding of what shapes my personality, as everything can be traced back to the history of my family and people. I fully embrace every aspect of being Haitian because I am extremely proud of my culture. Despite Haiti facing numerous problems, there are also countless beautiful things about it. The people in Haiti are strong and resilient fighters, just like my mom.
