Today it was reported by The Miami Herald that Haitian gangs in Southern Florida are different from some of the traditional US gangs because they rule by committee, use automatic weapons, and engage in extreme violence. They don't wear the colors to distinguish themselves, but still have turf battles, peddle drugs and have been involved in investigations that have sent numerous members to prison.
It's interesting to note that I spoke at Deerfield Beach High School in Florida earlier this year and this Miami Herald article cited that Haitian-Americans and African-Americans were involved in a turf war that needed a cease fire. Haitian-Americans and African-American youth can't get along because of their culture? They're both considered minority groups and at first glance, they're both considered black--no more than the other, no less than the other.
What are the parents of these youth saying? What are the Haitian parents saying about African Americans? And what are the African American parents saying about the Haitians? Who benefits when Haitian American youth and African American youth fight? Who benefits when they kill each other? I don't see how either side benefits.
When I visited Deerfield Beach, a teacher told me of the tension between the Haitian students and the black students. I asked her why did she think that they couldn't get along? She didn't really have answer. It seems in this society, we're not happy unless we find some other culture, some other person, some other people to hate.
To read the article: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/251800.html
