Thursday
Aug272009
Dunbar Village a hate crime? No, says new state rep, attorney, Haitian
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 4:54PM The Blogmother
C.B. Hanif for WAOD:
Mackenson "Mack" Bernard, the newly minted (in Tuesday's special election) member of Florida's House of Representatives for largely African-American District 84, which includes Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach, said the heinous attack on a Haitian mother and son there two years ago was "atrocious."
But the state was right not to designate it a hate crime, said the University of Florida law school grad, who had to learn English when he arrived to the U.S. from Haiti at age 10 in 1986.
"I dont think that there's a specific federal guideline" that would apply, he added. A response from federal officials is awaited on that.
As an attorney, and in the post he is leaving as Delray Beach city commissioner, did he have to deal with issues of disconnect between Haitians and the larger African-America community?
"Actually, I didn't have to deal with it as much because, in the city of Delray Beach people have come together," he said. "They're very close in the city of Delray Beach."
Has he experienced anti-Haitian bias in his political and professional life?
"Some bloggers were saying I couldn't be elected because I was Haitian," he said. "That's why we have to work on the community. We have to come together as a community and work on making it better for everyone."
Coming in fom Haiti, he said, "What I had to learn was to assimilate into society as quickly as possible, so that way I would not feel like I was different. Instead I was going to school trying to get an education."
As for the intermitent conflict between Haitian and other African-American schoolkids:
"It is getting better but it is something that, with regard to the gangs and the kids not getting along, it's not just an issue on the African-American side, it is an issue on the Haitian side. Everyone has to pretty much do their part to bring both sides together. Because we're all on this earth together. We have to make it through and make our community safe."
He's still recovering from a whirlwind six-week special election campaign. Priscilla Tayor, the former District 84 representative, supported Bernard's election to the seat after accepting Gov. Charlie Crist's appointment to the Palm Beach County Commission.
Together, they could prove a formidible force for change on matters relating to Dunbar Village.
In the past Taylor hosted a forum in which she challenged West Palm Beach Housing Authority Director Laurel Robinson's performance in managing the federal housing development.
Bernard links:
http://thecoastalstar.ning.com/profiles/blogs/delray-beach-bernard-leaves
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/local_news/epaper/2009/08/23/0823house84.html
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/gen/ap/FL_Florida_House_Bernard.html
Mackenson "Mack" Bernard, the newly minted (in Tuesday's special election) member of Florida's House of Representatives for largely African-American District 84, which includes Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach, said the heinous attack on a Haitian mother and son there two years ago was "atrocious."
But the state was right not to designate it a hate crime, said the University of Florida law school grad, who had to learn English when he arrived to the U.S. from Haiti at age 10 in 1986.
"I dont think that there's a specific federal guideline" that would apply, he added. A response from federal officials is awaited on that.
As an attorney, and in the post he is leaving as Delray Beach city commissioner, did he have to deal with issues of disconnect between Haitians and the larger African-America community?
"Actually, I didn't have to deal with it as much because, in the city of Delray Beach people have come together," he said. "They're very close in the city of Delray Beach."
Has he experienced anti-Haitian bias in his political and professional life?
"Some bloggers were saying I couldn't be elected because I was Haitian," he said. "That's why we have to work on the community. We have to come together as a community and work on making it better for everyone."
Coming in fom Haiti, he said, "What I had to learn was to assimilate into society as quickly as possible, so that way I would not feel like I was different. Instead I was going to school trying to get an education."
As for the intermitent conflict between Haitian and other African-American schoolkids:
"It is getting better but it is something that, with regard to the gangs and the kids not getting along, it's not just an issue on the African-American side, it is an issue on the Haitian side. Everyone has to pretty much do their part to bring both sides together. Because we're all on this earth together. We have to make it through and make our community safe."
He's still recovering from a whirlwind six-week special election campaign. Priscilla Tayor, the former District 84 representative, supported Bernard's election to the seat after accepting Gov. Charlie Crist's appointment to the Palm Beach County Commission.
Together, they could prove a formidible force for change on matters relating to Dunbar Village.
In the past Taylor hosted a forum in which she challenged West Palm Beach Housing Authority Director Laurel Robinson's performance in managing the federal housing development.
Bernard links:
http://thecoastalstar.ning.com/profiles/blogs/delray-beach-bernard-leaves
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/local_news/epaper/2009/08/23/0823house84.html
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/gen/ap/FL_Florida_House_Bernard.html
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Reader Comments (2)
I did not ask whether a member of the lgislative branch thought this was a hate crime, I asked whether the US Attorney's office considered bringing federal charges.
Does anyone know what the local Hatian community is saying? I am sure they have their own local organizations/media.
Does anyone know if any of the defendents are Haitain themselves?