<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2HdxBY_0viEiifo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2HdxBY_0viEiifo00" width="1662" height="1247" ><figcaption>Attendees at the Sounds of Little Haiti, Guarensha Dicette, Lovely Labonte, and Jenny Sterlin wear shirts that read, "Protect Black migrants." (Hannah Spence for The Miami Times)</figcaption></figure>The Haitian community is one of the most prominent in South Florida, known for its hospitality, art and music.However, due to recent xenophobic, unfounded claims pushed by presidential candidate Donald Trump at the Sept. 10 debate and his running mate, J.D. Vance, thereafter, the Haitian community has been faced with increasing threats. The former president spread false claims about Haitian migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, leading to more than 30 bomb threats against schools and other public institutions in the city, according to the Florida Phoenix.Since then, several Haitian leaders and elected officials from throughout Miami-Dade County have come forward to denounce the allegations. Meanwhile, the rest of the Haitian community refuses to back down or crawl into a corner, continuing to celebrate its culture and heritage for all to see.This is the context in which the monthly “Sounds of Little Haiti” took place, honoring all things Haitian at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex Sept. 20.“We are a very hardworking group of people,” said Sandy Dorsainvil, executive producer of the event, which takes place every third Friday of the month. “You will never hear anyone say Haitians are lazy. Trump and the media have been saying a lot of negative things about the Haitian community, but I feel very strong in my history and the work ethic of my people. We have contributed a lot to American society and the community.”Dorsainvil explained how she and her fellow producer, Terry Louis, raise funds for the monthly event themselves, paying for expenses such as space, light and entertainment, after the city stopped sponsoring the celebration. She said this month’s event, which featured an exhibit at the LHCC gallery and live music by the Haitian band Zafem, cost more than $80,000.Fact checkers say Trump spread more than 30 lies at the last debate, often forgoing to speak on more pressing issues such as climate change, homelessness or a lack of affordable healthcare. Despite his loyal backing, Dorsainvil said she is not worried about the former president being reelected for a second term come November.“There’s no way he’s going to win,” said Dorsainvil. “Americans are savvy and intelligent enough to see past the rhetoric. People see what is happening in our country and will not vote for Trump.”Although some public figures are taking the threats against the Haitian community very seriously, participants at the Sounds of Little Haiti expressed mixed feelings.“The person who made that statement [Trump] is known for just saying things to get attention,” said vendor John Pierre-Louis, who sold Haitian products such as flags, jerseys and graduation sashes through his business, OneFlagNation.During his interview with the Miami Times, Pierre-Louis was informed about the recent incidents in Ohio, but replied that he does not think those issues will find their way to Miami.“I feel sorry for those that are elsewhere, but not in Florida,” he said. “People here know who we [Haitians] are and what we are all about.”Pierre-Louis later said he encourages people who are listening to Trump to focus on the positive things Haitian culture offers, such as its cuisine.“I think they should experience our food. Although they think we ‘eat cats and dogs,’ you would be amazed. Our food is one of the best in the Caribbean, so I wish people would go to more of these events and enjoy our food and the ambiance that comes with it,” said Pierre-Louis.Indeed, many food vendors were present at the cultural festival, including Impex Party Arrangements, which has been in business for more than 20 years and serves a large community in the United States as well as the Caribbean. However, the owner, Mildred Placide, shared a sentiment different from that of Pierre-Louis.“We worry a lot,” said Placide. “We are careful about everything. We feel like our lives are threatened.”Placide noted that she will be supporting Kamala Harris in the upcoming election and thinks that her fellow Haitian Americans should do the same.“Kamala is the future,” she said. “She is more open to diversity. I think she will be the best president.”Dorsainvil’s teenage daughter Fortune Valery gave her own point of view on growing up Haitian, noting that even in diverse communities like Miami, hate can persist.“As a Haitian American kid, especially in Miami, I used to go to school where a lot of kids would say things that made me feel uneasy, but I never really felt unsafe,” said Valery. “Sometimes I would feel sad or a little angry that I was Haitian, and sometimes when people asked me what my ethnicity was, I would be hesitant to tell them because they would always have a smart remark about it.”“But being around my culture all the time made me realize that the things they said didn’t matter,” she added.When asked if she ever fears for her safety at school amid the recent threats, Valery replied, “No, because most of the time when threats are made, it’s just some little kid that has stuff to say, so I usually just ignore it.”Although Valery says she is not worried herself, she said that her peers should confide in their parents if they ever feel unsafe.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Bringing joy to a community hurt by lies

The Haitian community is one of the most prominent in South Florida, known for its hospitality, art and music. However, due to recent xenophobic, unfounded claims pushed by presidential candidate Donald Trump at the Sept. 10 debate and his running mate, J.D. Vance, thereafter, the Haitian community has been faced with increasing threats. The former president spread false claims about Haitian migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, leading to more than 30 bomb threats against schools and other public institutions in the city, according to the Florida Phoenix.