This journal entry was written by our founder, Chandler, on her experience of keeping Haitian heritage alive for her Haitian kids as an American parent.
In 2018, after 6 years of marriage and living in Haiti, my husband and I decided to grow our family through adoption. Our two incredible kids joined our family that same year. As a white American mom raising my Haitian kids, it has always been a pillar of our family’s foundation to honor and celebrate their cultural heritage. Living in Haiti, the culture was woven into the fabric of our day to day lives. It didn’t really take effort as that was our home- our community was Haitian, the food, sights, sounds, pride were all around us and our home was an interesting and playful mix of Haiti meets Texas (where my husband and I are originally from).
In 2020 the deteriorating situation forced us to leave our home in Haiti and come to the US with our kids. This was devastating for many reasons, I had dreamed of our kids getting the gift of growing up in Haiti. We landed in Texas to be closer to family, and while extremely grateful for the safety we were able to find, it was a hard transition. Now two years later, the influence Haitian culture has on our lives looks a little different but is still very much alive. Our home is filled with Haitian art and handmade wares with a story behind them, but in Texas we have to be much more intentional about incorporating the culture into our lives than we did before.
January 1st is a big holiday in our house. Everyone knows I will be busy cooking a huge pot (multiple pots usually) of soup joumou. Everyone is invited into our home and you’ll hear konpa and our favorite Haitian hits on repeat all day long as we eat, play, and enjoy each other’s company. We also read a book called “Freedom Soup”, which is a children’s book that shares the story of Haitian independence. It’s a beautiful time to celebrate with our Haitian friends, but also for our kids to share the culture with American friends as well.
It’s always a work in progress, but we do our best to find ways to authentically incorporate the culture into our lives. I think kids’ learn best from example and can sniff out a phony from a mile away. That is why we try to make sure we are participating in the parts of Haitian culture that feel most authentic to us and not forcing anything upon our kids. We hang out with our Haitian community group, enjoy Haitian food and music as much as we can. And we celebrate the big Haitian holidays in memorable ways; kanaval is another big one in our household.
My kids help me package up the Maker’s Boxes for Haiti Design Co and always ask questions along the way about why we are doing this and who made the products. At night I tell them stories about different places in Haiti and the cities they were born in. We read books from companies like Isse & Lo, and other Haitian children’s books. I also started having them recite affirmations with me at a young age in both English and Kreyol. They typically go something like this…
“I am strong… Mwen fò!”
“I am beautiful…. M bèl!”
“I am a child of God…. Mwen se petit Bondye!”
“I am kind… mwen janti!”
“I am Haitian… Mwen se Ayisyen!”
“I am black, and black is beautiful…. Mwen nwa, nwa bèl!”
“I never give up… M pa janm bay vag!”
“I will give love today…. M pral bay lanmou jodia!”
“Today is going to be a great day…. Jodia se yon bon jou!”
Keeping their kreyol has been the most challenging part of living in the US. While my husband and I speak kreyol, it is not our first language so naturally our house is mostly speaking in english. When we were in Haiti, people would give us a hard time that my kids did not speak french, and only spoke kreyol and english. Now in America, at times we feel that same public shame around them not being as strong in kreyol. Since my kids were little I would tell them that they can speak whatever language they want, however they want to express themselves, but Haitian kreyol is one of their super powers and it’s important not to lose it. They know it’s a magical language made by warriors that created a revolution.
I know being Haitian is something that can be complicated for many, especially in the diaspora community at times not feeling “enough” in either place. And it’s important that my kids know they are themselves first, who God made them to be, and that God made them Haitian and that is an incredible gift. They come from warriors, artists, spiritual beings that can communicate and heal through nature. It’s important that we do not speak ill of Haiti in our house. It is a place that we cherish, root for, and celebrate.
While our family looks a little different than most, we are proud of the mix of places and cultures that make up who we are. We are proud to celebrate Haitian culture and grateful for the opportunity to share it with our kids.
Happy Haitian Heritage month friends!