How are Haitians viewed in Miami? (Hialeah, Hollywood: crime, transferring to, buying)

[niqu92]

Im a 19 college student living in Atlanta and im transferring to either Floridal International University or University of Miami depending on where i get accepted(hopefully UM). I've been to Miami a couple of times but not long enough for me to get a a real "feel" of the city if you know what i mean. I'm Haitian but at first glance a lot of people assume im Dominican because i have light skin,long curly hair,light eyes etc. etc. so as a result most people dont really question my ethnicity but in Atlanta when i do tell people im Haitian i dont really get negative reactions. however ive heard that people really look down on Haitians in Miami and that they're associated with a lot of negative things. Basicly, i dont want to move to a city where i wont feel "accepted" or looked down upon because of my ethnicity, especially since i don't know how to speak spanish and i heard in Miami its almost necessary to know how.
So can anyone give me an input?

Thanks in advance

[aggrocrag]

You'll be fine, the perception of Haitians has gotten better since the late '80's-early 90's in my opinion. Many of the first waves of Haitian immigrants were poor and clustered in enclaves in Little Haiti and NE Miami so there was and still is a stigma attached to them to a certain extent. I went to middle school in Opa Locka in the mid-90's and among the black students calling someone a "Haitian" was the worst possible insult. I remember Haitian classmates of mine who never brough up they were Haitian, some even said they were Bahamian. Which is ironic considering that many second gen Haitians have copied black inner city "culture", for lack of a better term. But, as a whole, the perception of Haitians has gotten better, as their numbers grew and more of them become middle class. Little Haiti is still not viewed well, because it has a pretty bad crime problem, other cities like North Miami and North Miami Beach both have large Haitian populations and are a bit better in that respect.

Regarding Spanish, you won't find it to be issue with Hispanics who grew up in Miami which are who you'd most interact with going to FIU or UM, most if not all speak English and prefer it to Spanish, like myself.

[FlyMIA]

Spanish is not needed at all unless you are planning on going to Hialeah.

As for the perceptions of Haitians I think they are a hard working, appreciative group of people. I worked in a hardware store in right by little Haiti for a summer. The Haitian customers were always the most gracious ones and the only customers who would tip when we had to put heavy things in their cars etc.. I think one of the negative things associated with them are there is still a decent amount if illegal Haitains. But in recent years there has to been much conteoversy. As long as there is nothing you are doing wrong outage nothing to worry about. Miami's Haitian population is large and just another part of Miami. If someone has a problem they aren't worth meeting or dealing with.

Best of luck in getting into the schools.

[boxus]

Perceptions depends where you are at. If you are at college, and you are talking with a civil engineering student who is a Haitian, the perception is great. If you are (or work) at the Boynton Beach Walmart or mall, you will think they are the worst people around.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

Spanish is not needed at all unless you are planning on going to Hialeah.

Hilarious. My Italian relatives (Mom's cousins) moved from New Jersey to Hialeah. It was "everything" when they arrived and now I hear it's as Cuban as Little Havana.

Haitians? I've met some in service businesses while in South Florida on vacation. I get to practice my French with them. They seem cool to me.

[Edu983]

Originally Posted by niqu92

Im a 19 college student living in Atlanta and im transferring to either Floridal International University or University of Miami depending on where i get accepted(hopefully UM). I've been to Miami a couple of times but not long enough for me to get a a real "feel" of the city if you know what i mean. I'm Haitian but at first glance a lot of people assume im Dominican because i have light skin,long curly hair,light eyes etc. etc. so as a result most people dont really question my ethnicity but in Atlanta when i do tell people im Haitian i dont really get negative reactions. however ive heard that people really look down on Haitians in Miami and that they're associated with a lot of negative things. Basicly, i dont want to move to a city where i wont feel "accepted" or looked down upon because of my ethnicity, especially since i don't know how to speak spanish and i heard in Miami its almost necessary to know how.
So can anyone give me an input?

Thanks in advance

Atlanta is the best place to live if you have dark skin and speak no Spanish.

[Michael Di Meo]

Originally Posted by niqu92

Im a 19 college student living in Atlanta and im transferring to either Floridal International University or University of Miami depending on where i get accepted(hopefully UM). I've been to Miami a couple of times but not long enough for me to get a a real "feel" of the city if you know what i mean. I'm Haitian but at first glance a lot of people assume im Dominican because i have light skin,long curly hair,light eyes etc. etc. so as a result most people dont really question my ethnicity but in Atlanta when i do tell people im Haitian i dont really get negative reactions. however ive heard that people really look down on Haitians in Miami and that they're associated with a lot of negative things. Basicly, i dont want to move to a city where i wont feel "accepted" or looked down upon because of my ethnicity, especially since i don't know how to speak spanish and i heard in Miami its almost necessary to know how.
So can anyone give me an input?

Thanks in advance

It is an interesting question about a subjective topic, plus people on this site will try to put into the practice the theory of reflectivity to alter perception.

In any case, both my GF and I have a very positive perception of the Haitian populace in Miami. I actually have a few close acquaintances that are Haitian that I would not hesitate to call whenever I feel like it, and I work with a couple who are a lot of fun to be around.

My GF and I have discussed it and we have said that there seems to be 5 main types of African origin-type culture in Miami. Haitians, Dominicans, Cubans, English-speaking Caribbean, and African-American (families in the area for generations).

My perception has less to do about I feel about them, but rather the vibe I get from the people with whom I interact. It just seems to me that Haitians seem to have a very positive attitude about life in general here, and seem more happy in life, than say, the African-American population. The second happiest population seems to be people from Bahamas or Jamaica, they give me a good vibe as well and seem pretty laid back.

Of course it is all generalization, which in some ways means that a lot of how you feel you are going to be accepted is the type of attitude you bring to the table, and that is based on your own baggage and insecurities, etc. If you speak French or Créole - or are even interested in learning it, or want to discover the culture without buying a ticket to Haïti, I would not think twice and I'd move down here in a heartbeat.

[WINTERFRONT]

Miami is fine for anyone, no one thinks in terms of colors or ethnicities here. That's a Hollywood thing.

[Michael Di Meo]

Originally Posted by WINTERFRONT

Miami is fine for anyone, no one thinks in terms of colors or ethnicities here. That's a Hollywood thing.

LOL, I'll bite...like I've got nothing better to do with my life.
Miami is not fine for anyone.
Many move away.
I like brown skin, so I do think in terms of colors, and I do analyze ethnicity, especially when I am out at the thousands of restaurants serving cuisine from varied parts of the world, etc.
And the Hollywood part, well ... no comment.

[FlyiMetro]

Originally Posted by niqu92

Im a 19 college student living in Atlanta and im transferring to either Floridal International University or University of Miami depending on where i get accepted(hopefully UM). I've been to Miami a couple of times but not long enough for me to get a a real "feel" of the city if you know what i mean. I'm Haitian but at first glance a lot of people assume im Dominican because i have light skin,long curly hair,light eyes etc. etc. so as a result most people dont really question my ethnicity but in Atlanta when i do tell people im Haitian i dont really get negative reactions. however ive heard that people really look down on Haitians in Miami and that they're associated with a lot of negative things. Basicly, i dont want to move to a city where i wont feel "accepted" or looked down upon because of my ethnicity, especially since i don't know how to speak spanish and i heard in Miami its almost necessary to know how.
So can anyone give me an input?

Thanks in advance

miami is better for you than atlanta is.