I asked Steeve, “What do you wish Americans understood about Haiti right now?”  Here is his response.

I want Americans to know that our situation is complex, an answer to this situation is complex.

That said, there is not an easy answer for Haiti.

I would like Americans to know there are some very good Haitians still in Haiti, who love Haiti and who want to see the situation changed.  I wish for Americans to continue using their influence to help us.

I want Americans to know most of what they see and hear through the news is real. Those who are called to be in Haiti need to understand that reality. Haiti wasn’t safe in the past, but now it is worse. Nowhere in Haiti is safe.

I want Americans to know they have choices when it comes to Haiti, but for us Haitians, this is our normal. We have to face them, and our children are facing them, as well, every single day. It’s frustrating and stressful. No one is exempt from kidnapping or feelings of insecurity when you are in Haiti, no matter who you are, your gender, the color of your skin, or your age.

I would like Americans to know that Haiti doesn’t have a company or a factory where guns are made.  All guns that the gangs are using right now come from other countries.  I wish Americans could help us stop all those guns coming to Haiti.   I believe this would decrease the rate of insecurity.

I wish Americans, especially those who know Haiti, could be our voice.   I wish they could use  their opportunities to help us.

Finally,  I would like the Americans to know that despite Haiti’s current situation, we are and will remain, the first free black republic in the world, no matter what.