Yesterday, New York experienced a downpour that paralyzed the city. While waiting on the subway platform, I overheard a conversation between two black men.

Like many Haitians, I had often regarded the Dominican Republic (DR) with distrust. But the January 12, 2010, catastrophic earthquake transformed that perception as I tried to get to Port-au-Prince the very next day.  The main airport was shut down and as a result, I traveled to the DR as an alternative route.

The Chinese proverb "Wealth does not pass three generations" speaks to the difficulty of one generation sustaining the hard-won gains of the previous one. This is a lesson that we, as Haitians, should heed closely.

I had the distinct privilege of attending the Haitian diaspora convention this past weekend in Montreal. The participants traveled from all over the world with a singular goal: to discuss and address the ongoing crisis in our beloved Haiti.

Haiti has been experiencing a surge in violence in recent years, characterized by kidnappings, rapes, and murders. In a press release last week, UNICEF reported that there have been close to 300 cases of kidnappings, which is three times more than in 2021.

Haiti's ongoing crises have led me to reflect on the importance of nation-building and the role of visionary leadership. In recent debates about Haiti, I have found myself increasingly at odds with colleagues with whom I generally agree.

Haiti is frequently viewed through a Western lens, overshadowing its unique narrative. The country itself has struggled to define its narrative on its own terms. As the crises continue, there is a growing sentiment among activists that the solution is to pivot from Western powers to China and Russia.

As I celebrate the 4th of July, commemorating the signing of the document that declared the United States' independence from Great Britain, my thoughts inevitably turn to Haiti.

CARICOM's Eminent Persons Group hosted a recent summit in Jamaica. The summit brought together the opposing parties in Haiti's political crisis. The details of the closed-door talks remain undisclosed.

As a Haitian-American, I am heartbroken to see the country I love facing yet another crisis. Gang violence has been on the rise in Haiti in recent months, and the situation is only getting worse. The violence has had a devastating impact on the Haitian people, who are living in fear and uncertainty.

Yesterday, a horrific incident took place in Canapé Vert, a neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where a mob lynched 14 suspected gang members. The exact details of the incident are still unclear, but it is believed that the police stopped a tap-tap, a small public bus, during a routine check.

The ongoing debate among Haitian advocates about the US's accountability for supplying arms and ammunition highlights our incapacity to develop a common agenda and achieve a shared goal.

I will never get tired of saying that the Haitian diaspora has the potential to play a significant role in shaping Haiti's future. Unfortunately, its divisions and conflicting priorities are hindering progress toward this goal. Currently, Haiti is facing the most serious security challenge since the nation’s founding with widespread kidnapping for ransom, raping, and killing by gangs.

The situation in Haiti is catastrophic.  Yet, there is an ongoing debate and divergent opinions about the international community's role in restoring security.   The quartet, which includes the U.S., Canada, France, and the Dominican Republic, has had a significant impact on Haiti's political system. 

Haiti is facing a severe crisis and by all measures could be considered a failed state. Its economy is in ruins, there are no elected officials, and the de facto prime minister, Ariel Henry, and his government are unable to fulfill the basic duties of governing.