“I am the pearl of the Antilles; I was France’s most prized country. My land has been occupied by its inhabitants, and I have seen it prosper. I have also seen my country become the first Independent Black country in the world, on January 1, 1804. Over time, my country has seen and experience things that was beyond our control. On day, Haiti shall rise again.”
This quote shows the amount of admiration that I have for my country. While Haiti has been way past its golden years, it is still suffering today. On the other hand, since I don’t have any quotes that show my admiration for Cuba, I am only left with facts. My family never came from Cuba at all; the information about Cuba astonishes me. On how Cuba was able to actually embarrass a powerful country. Shocking? Yes it is. Am I surprised? No. Not really. The United States had their faces handed to them, just like France when Haiti defeated their army at the time.
When I read about the “Tale of Two Islands, a case can be made for institutional racism. The reason why is because of the United States’ “Wet foot- Dry foot” policy. This policy is a clear cut case of racism. So clear, that even I can see through it. Here is how the policy goes: When an immigrant usually reaches land, they are allowed to stay. If they are still in the water, or surfing in high speed boats, and the guards usually catches them, they are usually repatriated back to their country. I know. This is the definition that they gave us.
The actual definition and word for the policy is called: Institutional Racism. The Definition: When Cubans reach land, they are generally allowed to stay. If they make it on water, they are sometimes sent back home, but mostly, they stay. When Haitians reach land, they are sent right back home. The same thing applies when they are on the water. This is racism. They treat Cubans better than Haitians.
The reason why this would make a case for institutional racism is because the Cubans are being treated better than Haitians by our government. How does the government view Haitians? Like dirt on a ground that is meant to be kicked around? Like a dirty mop? I wonder. All of the governmental protections that are given to Cubans here, those same protections are not given to Haitians. Even if they have a plausible excuse to flee their country. Cubans are, in my opinion; always cry because of Fidel Castro. Well, they need to do something about it in their country, try to work with him on a compromise, even though he will never change.
Haiti, on the other hand, does not have that exact ability. Everything has been taken away from them, by France and United States. France has been making Haiti pay back their country for the lost of their slaves? What slaves?! I don’t care if France has to use their own people! When the earthquake happened in Haiti, France should have been the first country to help them. France decided to cancel some of Haiti’s debt, but they still want them to pay back some of it.
The United States has a hand in it too. Some of the policies that were enacted were and always, clearly racist. I do not care, if they try to sweeten up the words, and making it sound all different. It is like putting icing on a rotten cake, not knowing that it is disgusting. The words, “Wet foot-Dry foot” policy, is just plain wrong. This policy is clearly a case of institutional racism that needs to be challenged in the Supreme Court. I would one day love to have the honor of challenging this policy, and eliminating this same policy that continues to deny Haitian citizens are right to earn a living in the United States.
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