| |
Obstacles to Organization
Apart from an occasional concert of popular Haitian
bands, the only place where many Haitians interact socially
is at church. |
As mentioned previously, the sprawling geography of Atlanta and
the unique characteristics of Haitian migration to the metropolitan
area have presented formidable obstacles to those seeking to organize
the community. As Haitians began to arrive in the mid-1990s, they
did not find an established Haitian neighborhood in the sprawling
city. Many were relocating to their companies’ new offices
from other U.S. cities and therefore moved to neighborhoods conveniently
located for their work. This resulted in the creation of an “anonymous”
community with many of its members living – and still living
– in isolation, without connection among each other.
Concert Flyer |
To a significant degree, Haitians in Atlanta remain isolated from
each other, despite the growing size of the overall population of
Haitians in the area. Although individual Haitian businesses serve
as a meeting place on weekends, they are not concentrated or numerous
enough to bring together large groups of people. As such, they have
not been particularly successful in putting a Haitian cultural stamp
in the areas where they are located. Churches remain the most common
place where members of the community interact socially, although the
increasing frequency of visits by popular Haitian bands has begun
to offer another venue for socialization, namely concerts and dances.
While considering the profile of organization among Haitians in Atlanta,
however, it is important to remember that the Atlanta Haitian community
is still very young, and that most of its members have been in the
city for less than ten years.
Organizations emerging from within the community are
now numerous, addressing a variety of interests and needs
through diverse approaches. |
Some members of that community mention other reasons for the dearth
of organization, underscoring the absence of a centrally located Haitian
community center Haitian community building and a lack of the means
for widespread communication among the scattered population groups.
While the emergence of two Haitian radio programs and a prospective
television program is addressing the latter concern, no plans currently
exist for the creation of a community center.
Organizations emerging from within the community are now numerous,
addressing a variety of interests and needs through diverse approaches.
Haitian Community Relations (the HCR) is gearing towards uniting
the community at large around greater civic involvement. HACBED
is creating an organization of Haitian businesses in the region.
AHAD is responding to the growing numbers of Haitians in the immediate
and surrounding areas by expanding its web site with pages for use
by other Haitian community organizations in Atlanta to disseminate
information. The website can also be used to close the gap of distance
among Haitians in Atlanta and living scattered among the cities
and towns beyond Atlanta’s immediate reach, bringing updated
information on Haitian events in Atlanta.
The change in the patterns and size of the migration
of Haitians to Atlanta has propelled the community into a
type of activism to ensure that arriving Haitians will be
treated fairly and welcomed with open arms in the metro area. |
All Eyes on 2004
The coming bicentennial of Haiti’s independence in 2004 is
serving as an important rallying point for the community in Atlanta.
Although many of the region’s immigrants are currently active
in Haitian organizations, the leaders of those organizations believe
that the bicentennial celebrations will serve as a magnet for attracting
even more to become involved. Atlanta’s status as an African-American
intellectual center, and the traditional support of Haiti by Atlanta’s
African-American leaders, has also added to the interest in Haiti’s
bicentennial within the city.
Immigration Spurs Awareness The change in the patterns and size
of the migration of Haitians to Atlanta has propelled the community
into a type of activism to ensure that arriving Haitians will be
treated fairly and welcomed with open arms in the metro area. This
change has also helped Atlanta’s Haitians become more actively
engaged with issues that relate both to Haiti and to the treatment
of Haitians in the United States. As a result, Haitians in Atlanta
have also become more visible to their neighbors. The early November
protest of Atlanta’s Haitians in front of the INS headquarters
in downtown Atlanta over the treatment given to a boatload of Haitian
immigrants recently arrived in South Florida is just one example
of that engagement and increased profile. For
more information on the protest in Atlanta, click here.
Adapting to a Changing Dynamic These developments are all signs
pointing toward both a heightened Haitian presence and profile in
Atlanta as well as that community’s increased engagement with
its new home town. They also demonstrate a growing awareness among
Atlanta’s Haitians of the American political truism that there
is power in numbers. One candidate for the 2002 7th District U.S.
Congress race, for example, developed a poster addressed at Haitian
voters – an unusual strategy in Atlanta by a non-Haitian candidate.
Although this Democratic candidate lost in a majority Republican
district, the fact that he sought out the Haitian community is a
sign of its growth in stature.
Although geography and other factors pose large obstacles to Haitian
immigrants who are seeking to organize themselves into a broader
social, economic, and political community, evidence exists that
significant developments are occurring in the Atlanta metropolitan
area to begin to overcome them. Individuals, families, and a diversity
of their organizations driven by different missions appear to be
working with increasing strength and effectiveness toward the common
goals of responding to today’s needs and preparing the community
for what is surely to be another decade of expansion.
|
|
