Identity: Cultural Revolution of 2004

Vodou vs. Hindu: Comparing two religions

DC Carnival 2002

Phanttoms: Le Roi et la Princesse

T-Vice: Still Hot, Still on Top

Edwidge Danticat: the butterfly's way

Haitian Revolution: Prelude to a Revolution

Email: HowardHSA

Howard University

Haiti Reborn

Mix Tommy Hillfiger® baggy jeans, Sean John® sweatshirts, Timberland® boots, Eastpak® book bag, add to that, a Haitian flag bandana, a blue and red colored belt, a Haitian flag keychain, and you will have a new generation of Haitians growing up in a Hip Hop world. They could have easily integrated into the American culture, change their names from Pierre to Peter, Michel to Michael, Jean to John, but instead, they chose to love their history, their konpa mizik, pale kreyol as well as their parents, and wear their flag with pride. The Howard University Haitian Student Association, consisting of the new generation of Haitians, set out to present a “program aimed towards students in order to gain their attention as well as educate them about Haiti.”

The First Annual Haitian History & Culture Event, organized by Christina Pardo and the Howard Haitian Student Association was held at the famed Blackburn Center on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC. A well-organized discussion with panelists, Melinda Miles, of Haiti Reborn, Jean-Michel Mathurin, of EchodHaiti.com, and Dr. Carrington of Howard University Caribbean Studies Department. The ladies of HHSA also performed a Haitian folklore Dance.

Melinda Miles is the coordinator of Haiti Reborn, an organization “working in the United States on behalf of the Haitian people to build an active grassroots solidarity movement and to advocate for a more just U.S. foreign policy.” Melinda held the group’s attention with her knowledge of recent Haitian History. She is a frequent visitor to Haiti, since the early 1990’s, and has coordinated several delegations to Haiti. Her infinite understanding of the history created a lively discussion with the audience. With Haitian history comes Haitian politics, and many in the audience were eager to ask questions, as well as to add some knowledge to the discussion.

Jean-Michel Mathurin, of EchodHaiti.com, was born and raised in Haiti and kept in touch with his roots with frequent visits to his native land. He attended Ecole Jean-XXIII in his early years, and later continued his studies at College Canado. Jean-Michel spoke on the many aspects of Haitian culture. Among the subjects he talked about, most in the audience were interested with his association of Haitian culture with the Vodou religion. “Vodou is in almost everything we do. It’s in the way we celebrate. It’s in the way live,” he observed. “We were raised to believe that Voodoo was something to disassociate yourself with,” commented someone in the crowd. The interest in Vodou and other aspects of Haitian culture continued well after the event was over.

The lack of time and a previous engagement limited Dr. Carrington’s contribution. The young ladies, led by Melinda Henry, performed traditional dances to the pulsing rhythms of Boukman Eksperyans. The audience, consisting of some Haitians as well as some non-Haitians, left with just a taste of what Haiti has to offer. Haiti is a complex country with a complicated history and culture. It is a fascinating subject for many in the world, not just those who were lucky to have been born there.

The Haitian Hip-Hop generation is keeping focus and is proud to display their love for their culture. The Howard Haitian Student Association, Othniel, Christina, Yves, Michelle, Evans, and others, are not afraid to show off their Red, White and Blue; That’s Blue band on top, Red band underneath, with a White square in the middle.

© EchodHaiti.com,