This story describes the struggles of Haitian professionals both in Haiti and in the United States. Biases are rampant among them. They still see certain professions as a class marker even in the United States. Thus, establishing interpersonal bridges among them is a difficult task. Charlemagne, Gertrude and Jean-Michel are having a heated discussion about an organization that they wish to create in Miami. They have written the By-Laws themselves with their vision statement but their individual motives are hidden.

"Me, I am not going to sit at the table with those people. I am a surgeon. After spending most of my life sheltered from those people in Haiti, there is no way that I am going to create an organization for professionals which include those people." Exclaimed Charlemagne.

"What do you mean? Are you telling me that the nurses will be barred from joining our organization? You have lost your mind." Replied Gertrude.


"You are different, you are my wife." Replied Charlemagne with a smirk.

"Wait a minute here! I thought we had agreed that this organization was created for all professionals of Haitian descent. Are we contradicting our own By-Laws? Asked Jean-Michel.

"Jean-Michel, you are still naive. Your parents were born in Haiti. You were born in the United States. You don't understand the Haitian way." Argued Charlemagne.

"What is all this commotion about? You guys are stressed out over semantics here." Said Gertrude.

"You need to listen to me. I am the oldest. We do not want these people to come to our organization and take over. Before you know, we will have the merchants, the mechanics, the cab drivers, the maids, the nurse's aides lining up to become members. Before you know, you will see someone that looks like the guy who used to clean my house in Haiti, asking to run for president of the organization. That will only happen over my dead body." Said Charlemagne furiously.

"What is your point? That is the American way! People can ascend in the United States to any position if they can prove themselves." Said Jean-Michel

"That is the problem with you Jean-Michel. You do not understand. The By-Laws....it is just a piece of paper. We want to approach this the Haitian way." Said Charlemagne.

"What is the Haitian way?" Asked Jean-Michel.

"You say what you do not mean on paper so you can trick people in person. You understand?" Explained Charlemagne jokingly.

"What is your point Charlemagne? People in this community looks up to you for leadership." Said Jean-Michel.

"My point is that we will create this organization for ourselves: Me, my wife Gertrude and you, since you are my nephew. Screamed Charlemagne.

"I was hoping we would create an organization that my daughter would inherit." Gertrude thought.

"I was hoping that we would create an umbrella organization for the Haitian-American enclaves in South Florida." Jean-Michel thought.

Copyrighted June 1, 2005
By Manes Pierre