Conclusion

The Haitian communities in the United States, particularly in South Florida, Boston, and the New York metropolitan area, have successfully established themselves as socially, economically, and culturally vibrant communities that enrich the country's multicultural character. The Haitian community that originally settled in Miami's Little Haiti has progressed economically at such a significant rate that it has become a transitional place where recent arrivals and Haitians of lesser means settle temporarily until they become economically self-sufficient. This community was recently honored when the Dade County School Board named an elementary school located in the heart of Little Haiti after Toussaint Louverture, the precursor of Haitian independence.

Haitians have come a long way since the early 1970s. The Haitian community has made gains particularly in immigration issues: There has been significant legislation passed to resolve the uncertain legal status of many Haitian refugees. Many Haitians have demonstrated their willingness and ability to become self-sufficient and enter the mainstream of urban and suburban U.S. communities. They have become citizens and their votes are courted.

Neverthless, there is much to overcome. Negative stereotypes and cultural misunderstandings continue, and many Haitian-American youngsters lack a sense of ethnic pride because of the negative publicity related to the political turmoil that hinders Haiti's chances to progress socially and economically. This lack of ethnic pride is often manifested in ethnic misidentification: Young Haitians present themselves at various times as African-Americans, Caribbean-Americans, West-Indians, or Haitian-Americans, depending on the current sociopolitical climate in both Haiti and the United States. Many Haitians still face severe problems such as unemployment, inadequate housing, insufficient health care, lack of skills, and difficulty in English. These social ills, however, are not exclusive to the Haitian community, but are problems of many other poor communities. Most of these problems will be overcome with time. Just as other immigrant groups have overcome their difficulties in this country, so too will the Haitians.

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