On the eighth anniversary of deadly earthquakes, these Haitian-born businessmen are thankful for the otherwise crude words reportedly spoken by the U. S. president.
ATLANTA — With an estimated 50,000 Haitians in metro Atlanta, many are taking note of President Donald Trump’s alleged derogatory comments against countries including their own.
11Alive spoke with some of them who say they are thankful to be called out by the president. Frantz Bourget and Alex Raymond and Reginald Grand’Pierre are Haitians by birth, Americans by citizenship and business owners who give back to Haiti.
«By having one cup at a time, you’re helping the Haitian community,» Alex said.
Their Atlanta-based company, Itiah Coffee imports 100 percent Haitian coffee and then sells it online. Haiti is a country perhaps known best by some Americans for the devastation of a 2010 earthquake.
«Our solution is trade, not aid,» Reginald said.
Friday was the eighth anniversary of the 2010 earthquake and Haiti is still slowly recovering. But Itiah’s owners are trying to push it forward.
«That is one of the reasons the company was created,» Frantz said. «So far for the past 6 years, almost 7 years we have been helping Haiti. We have been creating jobs, we have been contributing to Haiti’s economy and the United States as well because we are an American company.»
And with a lot of work to still be done, the Haitian trio actually welcomes Trump’s alleged vulgar language specifically naming their homeland.
«I think it is a gift for the Haitian people to get that,» Alex said. «Coming from the president of the United States to actually talk about Haiti, this is my country. There is so many countries to talk about.»
Exactly 8 years after tragedy hit Haiti, they say Haiti is now in national and international headlines once again which will hopefully lead to meaningful conversations — and re-inspire Haitians back home and abroad.
Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said «take them out.» Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings — unfortunately, no trust!
On Friday morning, President Trump tweeted «never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is obviously a very poor and troubled country. Never said ‘Take them out.»
But no matter what was or wasn’t said in a closed-door meeting between Trump and other political leaders, one group of Haitian Americans is already fired up to continue being successful American citizens who are committed to seeing Haiti grow.
«We take this as an invitation for all Haitians to come together and to move forward, Reginald said. «So, thank you for this gift that hurts sometimes. But tough love is needed where we need to move forward.»
