n recognition of
Haitian Cultural Awareness Week, the City Council celebrated Haitian
Flag Day at City Hall. This year marks the bicentennial of the Haitian
flag, so it seemed only right that they celebrate its rich history and
the numerous cultural contributions of Haitian Americans.
In her opening remarks Council Member Yvette Clarke stated,
"It
is an honor to recognize these outstanding Haitian Americans who have
contributed to the great mosaic of our community. Each and every one of
you who is here today is a testament to the fortitude of a people who
have, throughout many generations, been part of a proud, courageous
history. That is why it's important that we take time to come together
to raise up one another and say long live Haiti and long live the
Haitian American contribution to this country."
Council Member Kendall Stewart, who was born and raised on Union
Island in St. Vincent, spoke of his love for the people and the island
of Haiti, which, thanks to the great hero, Toussaint L'Ouverture, is the
first free Black republic in this hemisphere. He said, too, how pleased
he is to have in his district the largest concentration of Haitians in
the metropolitan area and how honored he is to be an adopted Haitian
himself.
Simcha
Felder, who brought with him the good wishes of the Orthodox Jewish
community he represents, said that it's been a privilege working with
his colleagues in the City Council from the Black and Caribbean
communities. He noted that the older he gets the more clearly he sees
that God created this world and we're all here struggling together to
give our families a good and meaningful life. He thanked the Haitian
community for giving him the pleasure of spending time with them
celebrating their flag day.
Council Member Charles Barron stated that America owes Haiti a lot.
"Haiti is not a poor country; Haiti is an exploited country," he
commented. And he called for unity among all Black peoples throughout
the Diaspora, saying, "We are one African people out here. You are
incidentally Haitian because the slave ship dropped you there instead of
here."
Also present were Harry Fouche, Haitian Consul General to New York,
and Dr. Jean C. Alexandre, Haiti's Ambassador to the UN. They also
extended their warmest regards to the people present and participated in
the ensuing ceremony.
The
first person to be honored with a proclamation was Wyclef Jean, whose
extraordinary musical talent has brought him wealth and fame and taken
him all over the world. Yet, throughout his entire career, including
with The Fugees, the largest-selling rap group in history, Jean has
never forgotten the places that nurtured his character and creativity as
a young man: his native Haiti (where he lived until age nine) and the
projects of Brooklyn and New Jersey.
In accepting his award Jean said, "I came from Africa and was dropped
off in Haiti. When you talk about slaves, you're talking about me. I'm a
slave blood. When you look at me," he continued, "don't look at an
artist. Singing is a gift God gave to man. Look at me first of all as
someone who loves Haiti, someone who wants to revolutionize and
enterprise the country."
Haitian-born detective James Nemorin, who was killed March 10th
during an undercover operation, was also awarded a proclamation. "He was
the type of hero that put his life on the line so that we could be safe
in our communities," stated Clarke. "He gave the ultimate sacrifice for
us and our community. Haitian Americans are proud of him."
A
proclamation also went to Judge Margaret Jourdan, Justice for the
Village of Spring Valley, New York. She is the first female judge of
African ancestry in the history of Rockland County, New York and the
first Haitian American Judge elected in New York State.
Jourdan accepted her award in recognition of all the women who so
often go unrecognized and all the others who paved the way for her. "I'm
not here through my effort alone but because of the blood that a lot of
women and men before me shed," she stated. "As Martin Luther King said,
the first person who breaks down the door is never the one who walks
through. I am acknowledging all the people who broke down doors and were
never acknowledged, who broke down barriers to enable you and me to
benefit from the wealth of this great nation."
She said, too, of Haiti's independence, "We were not freed. We fought
and took our liberation. So I ask you to hold your head proudly when
people look at you, and never let people make you less than you are."
Others receiving proclamations were television and film actor Peter
Pouchon, award-winning gospel singer Felina Backer, medical doctor
Genner Louis Auguste, electrical engineer Jude St. Phard, and
entrepreneur Emmanuel Esperance. The final award of the evening went to
educator Greg Durandisse who was introduced very movingly by Council
Member Kendall Stewart. He said:
"We pride ourselves in the City Council with our saying that we're
going to leave no child behind. One such person who has been doing that
in advance is no other than Greg Durandisse."
Stewart
detailed the tremendous job Durandisse had done for years without
receiving any money - after school programs, helping children with their
school work, assisting with English as a second language. Now he has a
program at PS 361 helping the children. "Ladies and gentlemen," said
Stewart, "you can't find a better person than Greg Durandisse. My heart
is filled with emotion just in telling you what a wonderful person he
is."
Speaking directly to Durandisse Stewart said, "I know it is only a
small token, but I want to let you know that the City Council and my
colleagues tonight are delighted to present you with this proclamation
that you well deserve."
The celebration also included a dance presentation by the Haitian
American Association of New Jersey and musical performances by Felina
Backer and Euneek Aroma Haiti. The evening concluded with a reception in
the City Hall Rotunda.
