Haitian Brooklynites vote to show ‘we are not just anybody’ in presidential election 

Editor’s Note: As early voting gets underway, The Haitian Times is interviewing Haitian American voters across our communities to see how they’re casting their ballots. Here’s one installment from Brooklyn, New York, which focuses on Haitians supporting Harris. 

BROOKLYN  — Amid the bustle of cars, vans and pedestrians along Flatbush Avenue on Wednesday evening, dozens of voters arrived at the YMCA polling site to cast their ballots by the 8 p.m. closing time. Moving briskly at a post-workday pace, the Haitian Americans among them came with kids in tow, elders on walkers and neighbors paired up to encourage one another to vote.

One Haitian nurse, 64, rushed from her job at a nursing home in nearby Borough Park, to do her civic duty. Like many of her fellow voters, she hopes to turn Kamala Harris’ historic candidacy into a historic presidency. 

“I voted for Miss Kamala because I want to see the first woman leader,” said the nurse, smiling as she exited just moments before the poll closed.

“Haitians work hard in this country, and we need change,” said the woman, who has lived in the U.S. for 30 years and preferred not to share her name.

Then in Kreyòl, she exclaimed, “Trump does not understand who we are. We are not just anybody. Haitians contribute a lot here, and one day, our country will stand tall again.”

Another Flatbush resident of 11 years, a 56-year-old woman, said Harris seemed to be in favor of working people and would continue on the path President Joe Biden is on.

“Joe Biden helped Haitians so much,” she said. “So with her, I hope she’ll continue to help Haitians here do better.”

Earlier in the day, at the Erasmus Hall High School polling site, members of the Jean-Paul family came to vote together. 

France Jean-Paul, a resident of Flatbush for 40 years, was accompanied by her grandson and daughter . 

“Eight years ago, I saw a Black man become president. Now, I want to see a woman [be president],” said Jean-Paul, her eyes gleaming with pride.

“I want my grandson to witness history,” she added.

In contrast, community sentiment against Donald Trump’s policies ran high because of his disparaging remarks about Haitians. Several said they felt that he does not value their contributions to the U.S. or their Haitian heritage.

Frantz Arystil, another voter at Erasmus, said he wanted to send a message against the Republican nominee.

“Trump sucks,” he said. “He is very disgraceful in his behavior and his words.”

“I voted especially for my Haitian people,” Arystil added.

Several yards away, at the Bedford Avenue and Church Avenue intersection near the site, two women, who chose to remain anonymous, emphasized the stakes for Haitians in this election. 

“I voted for the woman,” one said simply, “because she won’t deport Haitians.” 

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Haitian Brooklynites vote to show ‘we are not just anybody’ in presidential election  was first posted on October 31, 2024 at 12:52 pm.