The Miami Herald ran a story on Saturday, May 4, 2013, entitled North Miami’s upcoming city elections expose racial tensions.  Reporter Nadege Green did a great job with her in depth research of the problem that’s prevalent not only during election season, but all year round.  She attributed most of the tensions to “simmering tensions between the growing Haitian population and long-time white residents,” but I believe it goes much deeper than that simple explanation.

While it appears that the non-Haitian candidates and residents interviewed claim that “unifying the city” is the first priority, from what I have personally observed in both North Miami and North Miami Beach, it appears to me that far too many individuals of Haitian nationality are more concerned with “power” than with “unity.”

For example, the article quoted comments made by District 2 candidate Joseph Haber and longtime resident Judith Feldman indicating that they wished to “bring unity back to the community” and that there is “very little discourse going on.”  At the same time, Ms. Green also quoted a more telling comment by resident Gernier Origene, who stated, “The Haitian community has a voice.  Years ago we didn’t have that power, we didn’t have the force.”

The glaring difference in attitude is broken down to four words:  “Unity” and “Discourse” versus “Power” and “Force.”

Origene then went on to say, “The white people don’t like to hear that.”

That statement speaks volumes.  What I hear Mr. Origene saying is that “the white people” are the enemy.

Does he feel the same way toward Hispanics?  Or Asians?  Or American Indians?  Or even American blacks?  Is it only about Haitian “power” and “force” against everyone else?

For mayoral candidate Lucie Tondreau, however, to say that an innocuous comment made by her opponent Kevin Burns was “an offense to me and my community” is THE root of the problem.”  If she wants to represent the City of North Miami, shouldn’t ALL RESIDENTS, and not just the Haitians, be “her community?”  I’m sorry but Non-Haitians should be concerned about her attitude.  With good reason.

District 2 candidate Carol Keys stated that “the politicians sitting up there use the race card and incite the people.”  I believe she’s absolutely correct in her assessment.  Current mayor Andre Pierre and his cronies constantly get on Haitian radio and spew their lies and hatred against anyone who isn’t Haitian.  When caught red handed, they use the excuse that they were misunderstood because Creole is “too hard to translate.”  This is total bullshit, of course.  Unfortunately, those who use Haitian radio as their only source of news and information don’t know any better and believe everything they hear.  This only perpetuates the problem of “racial tensions.”

Andre and his supporters also like to cry “racism” whenever he’s criticized for his unethical or corrupt actions, as if no white person has ever been accused of being corrupt.  Those of us who ran North Miami Beach EX-mayor Myron Rosner out of office at the polls in 2011 would beg to differ.

Corruption knows no skin color or ethnicity.  Dirty politicians come in every color of the rainbow.  And in every nationality.

Labeling this a Black vs. White issue, as opposed to a Haitian vs. Everyone Else issue, is huge mistake.  When you have folks like Joseph Gourgue  sending emails stating, “we have now three (3) Haitians elected in NORTH MIAMI BEACH and we are just getting started!”, or the wife of NMB candidate Jean D. Berrouet posting on her Facebook page in Creole, “A vote for a Haitian in NMB is a vote for change for our children’s future,” or one Jionel Pierre posting this comment on the Facebook page of North Miami District 2 candidate Mary C. Irvin (NOTE: This comment is STILL on her Facebook page but is only viewable by her Facebook friends, not the general public.  Obviously, I am NOT one of her Facebook friends.  Oh, darn!):

this adds to the impression that Haitians are only concerned with attaining “power” through “force,” and not at all interested in “unity” or “discourse.”

I see it as nothing but Haitian Supremacy.

Which is just as despicable as White Supremacy!

It reminds me of the KKK, only without the white robes.

Racism, or in this case, Nationalism, is an insidious disease that eats away at the very fabric of civilized American society.  It’s disgusting and deplorable, and until those Haitians who advocate “taking over” by “power” or “force” understand that this obnoxious attitude will only increase animosity toward them, there will never be “unity” or “discourse.”

The Haitian Supremacists need to cut the crap already.

In other words, if you want the “racial tensions” to end, stop thinking of yourselves as “the Haitian community” and start acting like American Citizens.

ON MAY 7, 2013 IN NMB AND MAY 14, 2013 IN NORTH MIAMI, PLEASE VOTE RESPONSIBLY!

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”