PIH Statement on Racist Misinformation about Haiti and Haitians

Partners In Health (PIH) denounces the acts of violence and harm inflicted upon Haitian people and urges everyone to avoid racist tropes and explanations. PIH is a social justice organization that responds to the moral imperative to provide high-quality health care globally, starting with those who need it most. We refuse to accept that any life is worth less than another, which is one of many reasons why the PIH community has been infuriated by the false claims in the U.S. media that demean and instill fear among Haitians and Haitian Americans.

Making Haitians the subject of threats and racism is not only reckless and cruel, but it also feels personal since PIH would not exist without our Haitian brothers and sisters. Haiti and Haitians are at the heart of the work we do, and our core values of solidarity and accompaniment emerged from working in the Central Plateau of Haiti. Haitians have been essential to our growth as an organization, and Haitian leaders started nine out of the 11 country sites where we now work. 

Unfortunately, this is not the first time we’ve heard revolting and xenophobic language directed at Haiti and Haitians. Since Haiti won its independence in 1804 and became the first Black republic, white colonial powers have socialized violence against the country and its people. This has included, but is not limited to, economic enslavement, military intervention, and being subject to bullying, shootings, evictions, and discrimination during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. Singling out Haitians was and is, as one Haitian put it at the time, “an American specialty.”

Rather than sharing or perpetuating unfounded rumors or misinformation targeting Haitians, we invite you to learn more about the ways in which Haiti and Haitians are bending the arc of history toward justice around the world.