The Haitian Times, in partnership with the Haitian Studies Institute and the Pulitzer Center, presented a panel that served as the wrap-up for the media outlet’s Distant Neighbors series about Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
BROOKLYN—Scholars, journalists, advocates, artists and allies from the Haitian and Dominican communities came together to dialogue about historical and current relations impacting both communities during a panel at Brooklyn College on September 30, 2023.
The educational session—titled “Affirming Dominican and Haitian Identities: Pathways to More Respectful and Collaborative Relations”—coincides with the 10th anniversary of Judgment 168/13, enacted in the Dominican Republic in 2013. The ruling essentially stripped Dominicans born to foreigners of Dominican nationality, leaving thousands of Dominicans of Haitian-descent stateless.
In all, about 50 souls braved the aftermath of heavy rains that struck New York the day prior to participate in the afternoon panel, which also featured music, dance, food and art displays from both nations. Organized by the Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College and The Haitian Times, the event also brought reports from the media outlet’s “Distant Neighbors” series about Haitians and Dominicans, funded by the Pulitzer Center, to the audience.
The speakers emphasized that the negative narratives, such as the canal conflict, are used to divide the island’s people to the benefit of influential leaders at the top echelons of their countries. The goal being to maintain institutional, structural racism and xenophobia for political, social and economic gain.
Now, it’s time for governments to stop using people as political pawns and for the powerful to highlight the positive contributions of Haitians to the Dominican Republic for the prevailing antagonistic narratives to shift toward more constructive conversations and approaches.
Among many moments that resonated most with panelists and attendees, human rights advocate Ana María Belique’s words in particular captivated the group.
“We are the hope of our island,” said Belique, a Dominican of Haitian descent and author of the children’s book La Muñeca de Dieula. “Not just Dominicans or just Haitians. We need to find a way to live together.”
Here are some photos from the afternoon. All by Tequila Minsky for The Haitian Times.
Dancers and drummers, accompanied by audience members, on stage after the panel "Affirming Haitian and Dominican Identities" at Brooklyn College on September 30, 2023. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian Times. United States.Audience members join dancers and drummers performing after the panel "Affirming Haitian and Dominican Identities" at Brooklyn College. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian Times. United States, 2023. Dominican American artist Clarivel Ruiz, founder of Dominicans Love Haitians Movement, is shown with an installation of The Black Doll Project — Abuelita, a grandmother sitting in a rocking chair and her three grandbabies — during the Haiti-Dominican Republic panel at Brooklyn College on September 30, 2023. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian TimesHaitian art from the Haitian Studies Institute collection on display during the Haiti-Dominican Republic panel at Brooklyn College on September 30, 2023. Image by Tequila Minsky /The Haitian Times.Macollvie J. Neel, executive editor of The Haitian Times, opens the event, a collaboration with the Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College and the Pulitzer Center. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian Times. United States, 2023.
The panel during the Haiti-Dominican Republic “Affirming Identities” panel at Brooklyn College: (from left) François Pierre-Louis, of CUNY-Queens College; Lissette Acosta Corniel, CUNY-BMCC; Onz Chery, Haitian Times reporter; Jesenia De Moya Correa, Center for Community Media, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism; and advocate Ana Maria Belique, Reconoci.do founding member on September 30, 2023. Image by Tequila Minsky /The Haitian Times.Rocio Silverio, formerly of “We are all Dominican,” speaks from the audience during the Haiti-Dominican Republic “Affirming Identities” panel at Brooklyn College. Image byTequila Minsky/The Haitian Times. 2023.The panel and organizers (from left) Macollvie J. Neel, of The Haitian Times; Lissette Acosta Corniel, CUNY-BMCC; François Pierre-Louis, CUNY-Queens College; Marie Lily Cérat, Haitian Studies Institute-CUNY Brooklyn College; Onz Chery, The Haitian Times; Jesenia De Moya Correa, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism Center for Community Media; Ana Maria Belique, Reconoci.do. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian Times. 2023.Audience at “Affirming Haitian and Dominican Identities” at Brooklyn College. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian Times. 2023.Master drummer Maestro Renald and Steve Deats perform after the “Affirming Identities” panel at Brooklyn College. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian Times. 2023.Dancers and drummers perform after the “Affirming Identities” panel at Brooklyn College on September 30, 2023. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian Times.A taste of Dominican music with Dr. Merengue (Paul Austerlitz) and band after the “Affirming Identities” panel at Brooklyn College. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian Times. 2023.Dr. Merengue and band after the “Affirming Identities” panel. Image by Tequila Minsky/The Haitian Times. United States, 2023.
