Border Attack on Haitians Statement
When I saw the picture of white men on horses chasing and beating Haitians at the border, I immediately thought that it was fake news or that it was a picture from a long time ago. However, I soon realized that it was a picture that was taken that same day. If people ever wondered what slavery/racism looked like—that was 200 years’ worth of racism and slavery in that one photo. The Roanoke NAACP Youth Council members pledge to stand up against the masses and be a voice for the few, to be confident in seeking justice and to be a catalyst for radical positive change.
On behalf of the Youth Council, we condemn this act of hatred and racism and will not support this type of behavior in our city, state, or our country. Our country would not be where it is today without the diversity it has today.
Jayveon Tucker,
2nd Vice President, Roanoke NAACP Youth Council, Political Action Chair, 11th grader, Patrick Henry High School
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Haitians Desperation at the Border Statement
The incident that took place at the Mexico border with the Haitians is very upsetting. I know that it would not have been possible for the United States to allow every last one of them in, but the way they were treated was wrong and unacceptable. The people were whipped by men on horses and treated like animals, just because they wanted to provide for their families in the best way they knew how. Traveling to get to the border was a long journey for many, especially for those with children.
As a born Haitian, I feel for my fellow Haitians. Haiti has been through so much recently with the earthquake that left many with nothing, along with the assassination of their president. These things have taken a huge political and financial toll on the country. Many of the people who made the trip to the border were people who had nothing left and had nowhere to turn. They were people who just wanted better opportunities for themselves and their children and people who wanted nothing more than a chance to turn things around when things seemed so hopeless.
Now when people say “Haiti”, they will be reminded of what happened at the border. I watched the videos and I read the articles and all I wonder is, what if this was my immediate family out there? The thought alone makes me feel horrible.
Yolanda Joseph,
11th grade student at Patrick Henry HS, member Roanoke NAACP Youth Council
