AN OPEN LETTER to PRESIDENT TRUMP

In correspondence to President Trump's disparaging statement towards people of Haiti and Africa.

Dear President Trump,

My name is Wevly Thibeaud from Haiti. I sit in my house with my mother and siblings, and we listen. We listen and watch what happens around the world and in Haiti.

I would like to talk about what I heard on the news this morning. I heard that one of the most powerful men in the world referred to others countries, their homes, as a terrible place. I will not use the word that I heard this man said. I don’t think calling other people’s homes that word is necessary.

Mr. President, home is a state of mind, not a location. Home is a place that is mirrored by the actions of those who call it a home. In my home we have love, compassion, care and outreach. We have food once a day, may be twice. We have a sense of family.

My home is in a place that was created 8 years ago today. It was an empty field before that, but now it’s a community. When we sit and watch and listen, we see foreigners coming and going. Some are here to help us; some are here to help themselves. Most come and go. Some return. Some think they are Heroes. Some don’t realize that they are.

My country has its problems, as most countries do. Mine has more than most. But my country does not define me. My country defines the rest of the world. My country defines your country. When we look back at history, all countries helped to make my country what it is today, including Haiti. We can argue about who is at fault, but history will tell us all share the blame.

It is the people that make the country. But not all are the same. We have a wonderful community of giving, love and unity. Not all are like this in my country. I am confident that not all are like that in your country. I want you to see the real Haiti. I want you to see the potential. I want you to see and feel the love.

Mr. President, I am opening my door to you, for a few days and nights. Come stay with us, and see our family, our community. Come see what it is to be what we are, and live as we do. And then Mr. President, feel free to call my home anything you want. But please Mr. President, don’t talk about my home this way, before you have had a chance to live in it. I think you will see, it is much like your home. You may even envy it. The simple family that we have may appeal to you. It is something that all the money in the world cannot buy.

I look forward to the opportunity to host you in my family.

Wevly Thibeaud

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