No Longer a Transient Community
The approaching bicentennial of Haiti’s independence has given rise to certain mixed feelings in Haitian communities throughout the United States. On one hand, Haitian-Americans revel in a sense of pride over the magnificent accomplishments of their ancestors. On the other hand, they know that their celebration of Haiti’s historical accomplishments will take place far from the hearth of the ancestors, as dreams of returning to Haiti recede alongside the ascension of efforts to plant new roots.

Nowhere are these mixed feelings more apparent than among the estimated 25,000 Haitians who reside permanently in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. For the first Haitians coming to the metropolitan area - diplomats, students, and professionals working in international organizations – it was typical that they were here in transition. Because there was no expectation of permanence, building a stable community was not a priority.

Now that has changed. While surely there are still transient Haitian diplomats, students and professionals in Washington, there are now many in the region who have begun to create a profile of community and permanence. As their roots are planted, however, members of Washington’s Haitian community also strive to maintain identity and search for ways to advocate effectively for their homeland.

Read on...