The Polls are Open

The state of Florida is having Primary Elections on August 26, 2014. Citizens of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties will be voting to elect or re-elect judges, councilmen, state representatives and state senators. In a special election, the city of North Miami will be voting to replace former mayor Lucie Tondreau. For more information refer back to Miss-Representation

These elections have great significance to the Haitian American community in S. Florida because in comparison to the populace, we have little to no representation in our local government. It is no secret that the Haitian community sometimes finds it very difficult to stand as one and if in any area it is most apparent in politics. Often times you will find several Haitian American candidates fighting for the same political seat while other ethnicities allow one qualified individual to run unopposed to ensure they are properly represented.

A little Taste of Haiti in South Florida

It is a BIG weekend for all foodies and fans of Haitian culture. In the spirit of Haitian Heritage Month, both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties will be hosting pre-Haitian Flag Day celebrations. The first of the two being held in Miami is called the Taste of Haiti (TOH).

This is the fourth annual Taste of Haiti. It is an event organized by the Haitian Culinary Alliance (HCA). It will not only display the foods native to Haiti but modernized versions of everyone's favorites crafted by many talented local chefs. Many of these local chefs will also be there with their own exhibits to share their talents. Click here for a full list of exhibitors.

The TOH will not only give you a sample of Haitian Cuisine, but its culture as a whole. The event spans May 9-11 with different events tailored for those who work in the culinary world, the general public and a special Mother's Day brunch. My focus will be on May 10, the main event of the weekend. It will be a day full of food and activities for everyone. There will be a kids’ corner so the ti moun are welcome as well. Admission to the event is free but there will be food, drinks and crafts for sale. The event will be held at the MOCA Plaza from 4pm-10pm. The address is 770 NE 125th Street, Miami, FL 33161.

FLAGS UP!!!!!!!!

Just a month away from May 18th and I am already brimming with excitement!!! I just can't wait!! Red and Blue everywhere, kompas blaring in the streets, fritay (Haitian version of a fish fry) in abundance...wait, don't tell me you don't know what is happening on May 18th?!? Umway, pitit chita kite m' di ou itswa a (OMG, child have a seat and let me tell you the story).

All over the world the Haitian diaspora celebrate May 18th as Haitian Flag Day. On the same day in the year 1803, Catherine Flon, at the request of Haitian Revolutionary leaders Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Alexandre Petion, sewed together the vertical red and blue bands torn from the French flag to create the first flag to represent the Independent nation of Haiti.

10 little known facts about the Haitian Flag

Since the first flag's inception in 1803, Haiti's banner has undergone much evolution up until its current form was adopted in 1986. The development of the flag is intertwined with Haiti's history of rulers and government officials. Through each reincarnation of the flag a different aspect of today's version was added in. Below you'll find a link to a timeline of Haiti's past flags.

Haiti's flags through the years...

The 2014 A La Mode Beauty Fashion and Comedy Show

This past Saturday evening, March 29, 2014, I was fortunate enough to attend the Second Annual A La Mode Beauty Fashion and Comedy Show presented by CarnaFam and it was quite the gathering. Food, drinks, live music, stand up comedy and of course models sporting apparel from some of Haiti's finest designers. Yeah, there are fashion designers straight from Haiti, I had no idea! A few names present were Bijou Lakay, Kaltural, Murielle Creations and David Andre Collections. But lets start from the beginning.

Yours truly and the event's organizers
Djenane (left) and Tanisha (right)

What is CarnaFam? "It is a production company that makes the connection between the different genres such as arts, books, fashion, gastronomy, music, and photography. CarnaFam, a Haitian cultural organization in South Florida, is inviting the South Florida community to journey through Haiti". Through the efforts of President Tanisha Ade and Vice-President Djenane St Fleur, CarnaFam puts on events to promote Haitian culture, literature and social interaction. Alongside some of the community's favorite artists, authors, designers and leaders, CarnaFam looks to impact South Florida by highlighting the best Haiti has to offer.

The Morning Drive

I briefly mentioned it in a previous post but I am a Co-Host on a morning talk radio show called The Morning Drive. The show airs Monday thru Friday from 8am-10am on WSRF 1580AM, a Haitian owned and operated radio station located in North Miami Beach, Fl (that was a mouthful). The show is hosted by young Haitian Americans with the purpose of acting as liaisons between the gran moun (older) Haitians and the younger more Americanized generation. It's a great concept if I do say so myself. 

La Plage/The Beach

Abaka Bay

I live in South Florida, which translates to sunshine, beautiful people, partying and BEACHES!!!! Year round, save for a few days of "winter" residents of Florida flock to the beaches in droves. This weather also draws in many caribbean native immigrants. From the Haitian point of view, Florida just makes sense! You lived on an island, a piece of land surrounded by water (in case you didn't know what an island was lol), full of beaches, sunny and tropical weather year round so where else in the U.S. should you move to? Florida is one of the few states in this fair country that resembles Caribbean weather, so one could assume the transition would be a little easier for those coming from Haiti.

But lets talk about the beaches for a moment. In Florida there are many beautiful beaches that people travel across the country...better yet the world to come see. South Beach, Daytona Beach, and Palm Beach are just a few of Florida's well known beaches. Little did you know Haiti is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches worldwide.

Roses are Red Violets are...

I'm not one of those guys who considers himself a poet. I'm definitely not what one would call a spoken word artist either. I would say that I have a talent for stringing words together in rhythmic pattern with the purpose of conveying a message or my personal feelings. But if you want to be technical I do enjoy writing poetry. I'm not keen on performing my own stuff but I do enjoy sharing it and being heavily complimented on it (wink wink).

So every now and then I will share a poem with you guys. I welcome commentary and even encourage you to do the same. Many people out there are private poets and have no intention of sharing their work. The thing is whether you plan on publishing your work or just doing it for fun, poetry is a great way to share your feelings and relieve stress. And believe it or not you may find out that you have a knack for it and that people may actually enjoy it. I'll be sharing one below and every now and then from here on. Hope you guys do the same...Until then

Na we pita/A plus tard




Yours Truly, by Rhonel Cinous 

Regal, raffish and extremely well read 
Haitian by heritage, American by birth, culturally conscious and accepting of all
On a journey to find himself and leave a size 13.5 foot print on this world too big for the next man to fill
Never hesitant to take on the next challenge that knocks on his door 
Eccentric in his ways, eclectic in his tastes, ever inquisitive and eager to learn the lessons life has to offer
Looking for adventure, living life to the fullest and loving each day the good Lord blessed him with 
He is Rhonel. 
Just your everyday average amazing human being
With something to say 
A loud voice to say it with
Hoping to touch anyone who may hear him

Big Night In Little Haiti/Gwo Nuit Nan Ti Ayiti

Yours truly and the Big Night In Little Haiti sign

Miami is one of those cities constantly mentioned in songs and travel blogs for its nightlife and activities. For it's beautiful beaches, various clubs and lounges, and plethora of culturally inspired events people from all over the world flock to Miami. Few people realize that Miami is made up of many smaller cities. One city in particular, Little Haiti, is one of Miami's hidden gems.

Little Haiti, so named due to the influx of Haitian immigrants who came to call it home in the late '70s early '80s. Comprised of many Haitian owned restaurants, businesses and tourist attractions, Little Haiti is a great place to become engrossed in Haitian culture.

One such attraction is The Little Haiti Cultural Center (LHCC). The center offers tutoring programs, arts and crafts, and dance classes for children and adults. A focal point of the center is a program that it along with The Rhythm Foundation sponsors every third Friday of the month.

Diaspora...

...a word that I have heard many times since I was very young, but not once did I ever stop to find out its meaning. To be honest I never considered the fact that the word would be relevant to me in the slightest. Diaspora was always used in conjunction with the "just comes", Haitians who literally just came over to the U.S. So naturally a young AMERICAN born Haitian like myself wanted no connection with the term.

Growing up Haitian in Miami in the early '90s meant one of two things, you were either a "boat" (Haitian immigrant who came over on a raft/boat) or you were a "Zoe" (a member of the Haitian gang Zoe Pound). Honestly, I never once hid my Haitian heritage, but I did disassociate myself with the "boats". My thoughts were, if I couldn’t be regarded, as a regular kid I'd much rather be feared for having gang affiliations. The wrench in that plan was my father. He didn't seem to be too concerned with my day-to-day identity crises. He sent me to school in my Sabbath Best (comparable to others' Sunday Best) and of course strictly enforced the Three L's of Haitian upbringing: L'eglise, Lekol, Lakay (church, school, home). It’s hard to be thugging in your shiny black church shoes while sprinting home full speed after school to avoid baton. I had no strong Haitian accent or any trouble speaking English whatsoever; but I also didn’t have the newest gear, cable TV, the latest toys and games, or even a respectable shape-up (dad claimed only thugs had shape-ups, smh). All that coupled with a French name and a distinct difference in behavior from my peers, I was clearly different.