I don't think I've ever said this enough, but I really am proud to be Haitian. There's no place like my country. The day I realized that my country truly was one of a kind and, if I could, I would celebrate it everyday, was the day I realized that I wanted it to become just as beautiful and pure as my love for it. Although my country my have many flaws and imperfections, this month of May I choose to recognize its beauty and history and passion that makes it Haiti, Land of High Mountains.
1. Seafood.
Honestly, what kind of Haitian would I be if my first item on the list wasn't seafood? Wait, I know, you're thinking griot, but I personally think that the seafood tops griot anyday. I'm a big fan of seafood, and if I could eat seafood for the rest of my life, I would. Sadly, I live in the U.S., so I can't do that. The seafood here is nothing compared to the seafood from Haiti — or the Caribbean for that matter. Seafood from Haiti is literally like having the ocean living in your mouth; over here, it's just ... different.
2. Griot.
Yay! Griot, every Haitian's favorite meal. Griot is unprecedented. The decadent, mouthwatering meal is found everywhere you go in Haiti. Just about every household knows how to make this — if they don't, well ... they're not Haitian. It's just impossible to be Haitian and not know how to make this. What I like about griot is that every Haitian is able to bring an extension of themselves in the meal.
3. Haitian artists.
Haiti's rich history is no doubt one of the influencing factors as to why Haitian artists demonstrate vibrant and soul-filling paintings that give us a glimpse into their world as creative thinkers. Influential Haitian artists I'd like to acknowledge include:
Franketienne
Antonio Joseph
Lousiane Saint Fleurant
Philipe Dodard
Jean Michel Basquiat
4. History.
In history classes, one of the first things you come to learn about Haiti was how it was inhabited by Native Indians, who lived in the peaceful mountainous country until it was plagued by slavery, hardships and horror brought on by Europeans — namely, the Spanish and the French. After years of pillaging the nation for all it was worth, Haitians decided that enough was enough, and through Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Toussaint Louverture, Haiti became the first Black Republic of the world. Not only that; to this day it is still regarded as the only country in the world that became independent as the result of a slave rebellion.
5. Haitians are really political.
You can talk to any Haitian person, and the first thing you'll notice about us is that we are very political when it comes to the state of our country and the world at large. A lot of my family members have been or currently are involved in politics in Haiti, so I can safely say it's in my blood to be politically active and aware. There have been dictators in the past who've tried to suppress this fundamental aspect in Haitians; alas, they've all failed in vain.
