Haitian pleads for countrymen to be allowed in Jamaica

A Haitian who now lives in Jamaica is blasting some fellow residents for supporting the Jamaican government's decision to deny entry to the latest group of their countrymen seeking to flee their war-torn homeland.

Responding to a Gleaner story, the man, who identifies himself only as 'Be Cool', has been living in Jamaica for the past five years. He has managed to secure passes in several CXC subjects, which has allowed him to gain employment at a call centre. He said that while he is not against the Jamaican government's decision to deny entry to the Haitians, he believes that some of them who are trying to come could contribute positively.

Haitian national Lemu Luver, who moved to Jamaica in 1991 in search of greener pastures, told The Gleaner that he fully understands why Prime Minister Andrew Holness would want to deny entry to some persons now seeking to flee the unrest in Haiti.

"If the prime minister decides fi take dem, I agree, but if dem nuh want dem here, I agree same way because too much tings a gwann inna Haiti suh no country nuh too trust Haitians again," Luver said. Pointing to the recent prison breaks in Haiti, which saw hardened gangsters escaping custody, Luver said the Jamaican government's reluctance to accept Haitian refugees is justified, as some of those gangsters could also flee to Jamaica.

However, Be Cool believes that some Haitians who came to the island helped to spur the negativity about their people, like perpetuating the myth that Haitians use ackee and susumber to work obeah.

"I lived in Haiti for 20 years and I never see ackee. I eat susumber and nothing don't do me. Those Haitians are the dunce ones, the ones who can't read and write, and they are the reason there is so much stereotype around the Haitian community," he said, adding that some of his countrymen did not do much for their fellow citizens.

Referencing the 2010 unrest in west Kingston involving Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, Be Cool said Jamaica has also had challenges, but its good security system has allowed the country to handle problematic situations.

"The difference is that Jamaica was covered and was getting help, as they have patrol police boats, and they have good army and police resources," said Be Cool. "Haiti is about three times the size of Jamaica, and with about 12 million people. We don't have an army big enough to support that, and we don't have any help."