Stand with the Haitian Community: Demand Accountability for Harmful Rhetoric

As a proud Haitian immigrant, I stand with my community in the face of injustice and harmful rhetoric. Recently, former President Donald Trump, during a rally in Springfield, Ohio, made racist and offensive remarks about Haitians, fueling fear and negative stereotypes that threaten the safety and dignity of Haitian families in America.

The consequences of such rhetoric are real and immediate. Many Haitian families have chosen to keep their children home from school, fearing for their safety in the wake of these hurtful statements. Others send their children to school with heavy hearts, unsure of the potential hostility they may face.

No parent should be forced to make such a painful decision, and no child should have to live in fear due to the reckless words of a public figure. The Haitian community has been a vital part of this country, contributing to its culture, economy, and growth. We deserve the same sense of security and respect as anyone else in this nation.

Mr. Trump's remarks are not just an insult to Haitian immigrants—they are an attack on the values of diversity, inclusion, and respect that the United States is supposed to represent. Words like these sow division and hatred, and it is unacceptable for any leader to engage in such harmful rhetoric.

We call on former President Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, to issue a public apology to the Haitian community. Words matter, and leaders must be held accountable for the harm they cause. This is not just a political issue—it is a human issue, and an apology is a necessary step toward healing the pain that has been inflicted.

No apology will reverse the damage that has been done. That's why we also need elected leaders to expose and publicly denounce Trump and Vance's hateful lies, and focus on real solutions that uphold the dignity and rights of all our communities. And finally, we need people, all across the country, to show their support, care, and solidarity with their immigrant neighbors, and unite against attacks meant to divide us. Add your name if you agree.

Haitian immigrants, like all immigrants, come to this country seeking a better life. We bring our talents, our work ethic, and our dreams. All we ask in return is to be treated with dignity and respect.