As transportation and communication have become more accessible and practical, migration patterns of immigrants have changed from the original method of having one family member leave for a new place, establish themselves, then either return or have the rest of the family immigrate; the increased use of air travel has allowed family members to easily visit relatives in other countries without the commitment of permanent residence. This shift has been extremely well incorporated into the The Haitian Times, a diasporic news outlet for Haitians in the diaspora.  Although it was originally created in 1999 as a print medium, as the times have changed, The Haitian Times changed as well, becoming an online source of news documenting narratives, events, politics, and news relevant to Haitians all over the globe.[1]  The website states that it is “bridging the gap,” meaning it sees itself as the link between the international Haitian community, fostering a deep sense of national and cultural identity despite island borders.  The Haitian Times has a particularly prominent amount of articles on women and girls’ issues in Haiti as well as wherever female Haitians are living.  In this assessment of diasporic media, I will be using The Haitian Times as a way to study the international, intercultural, and inter-political connections media has the ability to share about issues women and girls face at home and abroad.  By studying the website’s content on women and girls through news, political, and opinion articles, I intend to highlight the importance of global connections between Haitians through media.

Through its sections on politics, economics, and social justice, The Haitian Times has used the narratives of young girls and working women in Haiti and the United States as a call to action for Haitians across the diaspora.  By having New York City politicians write articles about their plans and work, the online news source engages Haitians in socioeconomic and racial divides facing black girls in the United States, a demographic Haitians are a part of.  Similarly, stories of the economic struggles of women and girls in Haiti increase awareness and engagement for Haitians all over the globe to contribute to socioeconomic justice movements in their home country.  The Haitian Times works to make the issues faced by Haitians in a particular land an issue all Haitians should care about and be updated on.

In a piece by New York City Councilwoman and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito titled “We Must Respond to Young Women of Color,” the transnational importance of Haitians being involved in the fight for gender and racial equality is perfectly demonstrated.  Categorized under Opinion and Women and Children, the article details Councilwoman Mark-Viverito’s launch of the New York City Council’s Young Women’s Initiative (YWI) and why it is relevant to all people of color.  By being published on a new source targeting Haitians in the diaspora, the article is an interesting way to analyze transnational connections between Haitians.

To start, the author is a Puerto Rican woman representing the 8th District (East Harlem and South Bronx) in the city council.[1]  Her area of responsibility is made up largely of people of color, specifically black Americans, Caribbean people, and Hispanic people.  It makes sense, therefore, that she would see the platform The Haitian Times provides as a useful way to spread awareness about the struggles particular to black and Latina girls in New York City and why their struggles are relevant to Haitians in the diaspora.  In her piece, the Councilwoman highlights the key strategies of the YWI like increasing the amount of health centers available to high school and middles schools to expand sexual health awareness and to increase employment opportunities for young women of color who are still in school.  These programs were created to help combat the disparities in teen pregnancy and poverty rates among young women of color in the city, two issues critical to the well-being of these girls and therefore issues Haitians in the diaspora should be aware of.  This intersection of NYC politics with race, gender, and Haitian news is a perfect example of how The Haitian Times serves its role as a diasporic medium connecting the transitional community of Haitians.[2]

The following two articles discuss the economic struggles faced by Haitian women, and they each raise points that would resonate with Haitian women currently living in nations outside of Haiti.

In “Ensuring a Piece of the Pie: Strengthening Women Economic Opportunity in Haiti,” the author Vania Andre, the editor-in-chief of The Haitian Times, articulates that even though women are the backbone of the Haitian economy and culturally recognized as such, they are not properly compensated for their work due to “predominant social beliefs that they are inferior to men.”  She goes on to discuss how the Pan American Development Foundation is getting involved to promote gender and economic equality in Haiti, highlighting the transnational efforts being brought to the nation.  I believe that there are two important notes to make from this article.  The first being that gender and economic inequality are two issues prevalent in any place a Haitian woman lives, especially as a woman of color, so this topic transcends borders and can resonate throughout the diaspora; the fact that women are still discriminated against is unacceptable, and the author wants global Haitians to know this issue is still dominating the everyday lives of their fellow Haitians on the island.  Secondly, this article is written by the editor-in-chief of the paper, proving that this is an issue The Haitian Times views as essential in their mission of keeping the diaspora connected.[1]

Similar to the previous article, “Women Farmers and Land Grabs in Haiti: An Interview with Iderle Brénus” outlines economic hardships specific to women due to their gender.  She specifically focuses on the struggles women who farm face, an issue many women in the diaspora may not be completely familiar with.  By sharing this story through an interview with a woman who specializes in gender equality in the rural sector of Haiti, The Haitian Times is educating the diaspora on an issue that is extremely prominent at home but may be unfamiliar to those abroad.  In countries like the United States, England, and France where many Haitians in diaspora live today, the disparities in gender equality in the rural economy of Haiti may not exactly be a relatable topic, but it is nevertheless important information that needs to be shared with the diaspora in order for these injustices to be confronted.[2]

Those two pieces that focus on the intersection between economics and justice in Haiti serve as call to action among Haitians in the diaspora who have the ability to contribute to organizations working on reform.  Whether that means donating money or volunteering with a local branch of an organization that is working to combat those injustices, The Haitian Times has an agenda of encouraging its readers to remain connected to Haiti by staying involved in its current social justice issues.

The role this diasporic medium plays is essential in keeping the global Haitian community informed on socioeconomic, gender, and racial issues.  The Haitian Times takes its role as an authority on news important to Haitians very seriously, and that is seen especially through who writes its articles.  New York City political figures, academics, and its very own editor-in-chief work very hard to use this platform as an effective means to get Haitians in the diaspora involved in critical issues at home and abroad, fostering a sense of translational community accessible by a simple click.

 

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Notes

  1. http://haitiantimes.com/about/
  2. http://council.nyc.gov/district-8/
  3. http://haitiantimes.com/2016/05/27/we-must-respond-to-young-women-of-color/
  4. http://haitiantimes.com/2016/03/31/ensuring-a-piece-of-the-pie-strengthening-women-economic-opportunity-in-haiti/
  5. http://haitiantimes.com/2016/02/17/women-farmers-and-land-grabs-in-haiti-an-interview-with-iderle-brenus/