The recent hateful rhetoric directed at Haitian immigrants by figures like former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance is a disgrace. His words, rife with white supremacist overtones, are not only vile but dangerous.

OPINION

These attacks are more than political posturing: they are dehumanizing and endanger lives. This is not just an insult to Haitian immigrants; It is an insult to all of us who believe in human dignity, justice, truth, and the Constitution of the United States.

At a time when people are fleeing devastation and deadly circumstances in search of safety and opportunity, those with influence should use their platforms to advocate for compassion, not to stoke fear and hatred.

Rather, what we have witnessed is a reckless disregard for the humanity of Haitian immigrants. Labeling them an “invasion” does more than mislead the public: it stirs dangerous emotions and legitimizes xenophobic violence. These words are not without consequences.

Let’s be clear: Haitian immigrants are not and have never been a threat to the United States. They are not invaders. They are people seeking refuge and a better life, just like countless immigrants who came to this country before them, even those from Europe.

And let’s not forget the deep historical connection between the United States and Haiti. Without the Haitian Revolution of 1804, which defeated one of the most powerful colonial forces of the time, the United States might not exist as it does today.

Haiti’s victory over French rule led to Napoleon’s decision to sell the Louisiana territory to the United States, doubling the size of this country and allowing its westward expansion. The Haitian people’s fight for freedom had a direct and lasting impact on the trajectory of American history. That descendants of enslaved people who fought for freedom are now vilified by those who benefit from their freedom is not only hypocritical but deeply offensive.

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However, Haitians are being scapegoated for political gain, just as they have been throughout history. These baseless attacks ignore the fact that Haitian immigrants, like all people, are fleeing a country, culture, and climate that most of us can barely imagine.

Many have faced natural disasters, extreme poverty and current political instability. For them, migration is not an option; It is a necessity. And they deserve our empathy, not our contempt.

It is disturbing that former President Trump has made several inflammatory statements about the Haitian people that contribute to this environment of hate and misunderstanding. Among his most notable comments are:

• “Haiti is a shithole country” – During a meeting in 2018, Trump reportedly referred to Haiti and other African nations as “shithole countries,” expressing his preference for immigrants from countries like Norway.
• Characterizations of Haitian Immigrants – Trump has suggested that Haitian immigrants “all have AIDS,” implying that they pose a health risk to Americans, which is both false and deeply offensive.
• Immigration Policy Comments – Trump has repeatedly referred to policies regarding Haitian immigrants as undesirable, pushing for stricter immigration controls that would disproportionately and discriminatorily affect people from Haiti.
• Misleading claims about the Haitian community – Has falsely accused Haitian migrants of criminality and portrayed them as a burden on American society, fueling negative stereotypes, clearly ignoring the contributions and humanity of these individuals.

More recently, the discourse surrounding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants has become alarmingly contentious. The former president indicates and advocates for the revocation of TPS, and this perpetuates harmful narratives that undermine the very real crises facing Haiti today. Amid current political instability, gang violence, and natural disasters, calls to repeal TPS ignore the serious risks these individuals would face if they were forced to return to a country in crisis.

But there is an even more disturbing pattern here, one that we have seen repeated repeatedly: the dehumanization of Black people to justify policies that strip them of their rights and dignity.

This is nothing new. The denigration of Haitian immigrants reflects the same racist tactics used throughout American history to justify oppression. It is an extension of the same ideology that was once used to keep black people enslaved and then segregated.

White supremacists have long been trying to rewrite history to erase the contributions of black people to the making of this country. But we cannot allow this revisionism to continue. The Haitian people, both in Haiti and in the United States, have played a decisive role in the fight for civil rights and justice. They have fought for freedom at all times and their contributions cannot and should not be erased or minimized.

The Florida State Branch Conference of the NAACP and the South Dade Branch of the NAACP strongly oppose this rhetoric. We will not allow those in power to incite hatred against any group of people, especially those who are vulnerable and seeking refuge.

We must hold our leaders accountable for their words because those words have real consequences. They fuel violence and harassment. They justify inhumane and unconstitutional policies. They spread lies and deceptions.

For me, it’s not about politics, but about respect and basic human decency. We cannot allow white supremacist rhetoric to continue unchecked. We cannot stand by while a group of people are vilified and scapegoated simply because they seek a better life.

To those who demonize Haitian immigrants: your words are reckless, dangerous, and un-American. They are an affront to the ideals of justice, equality and freedom that this nation claims to cherish. But we, the people, will no longer remain silent. We will continue to fight for the dignity and rights of all people, regardless of their origin or origin.

The contributions of the Haitian people to American history are undeniable, and we owe them a debt of gratitude, not contempt. It is time for us to remember our history and treat our Haitian brothers and sisters with respect and deservingness.

Harold Ford

HAROLD FORD is the president of the South Dade NAACP Branch. He is also the fifth vice president of the Florida State Branch Conference of the NAACP. Educator, he worked for 26 years in Miami-Dade Public Schools.