The Pride of...

“Miami Postcard”

            The picture above was taken at Manno Sanon Soccer Park in Little Haiti, Miami on May 3^rd, 2008. After many years of Haitians being treated poorly in Miami, starting with the refugee camps like the Krome Avenue Detention Center, Haitians are now celebrating in their new “home”. Manno Sanon Soccer Park was the first soccer arena built in Little Haiti. It was built and finished in May of 2008. This was the first time the city of Miami acknowledged the Haitian needs or desires. The city spent $37 million dollars on this 15-acre soccer park. They decided to name the park after Manno Sanon. Manno Sanon was the most notable Haitian Athlete of this century, who passed away a month before the building started from cancer. Following the grand opening of the park three soccer games were played. The picture above captures an image of the fans as they watch Eglise Catholique of Pere Reginald Jean Marie of Notre Dame d'Haiti play Haiti International of North Miami High School Principal Jean Coty Ridore. The image captures the change of perspectives from once exiles to new locals. Like stated before Haitians in Miami have been exiles, which means they left Haiti for political or economic reasons. These South Florida Haitian residents have never once considered Miami their true home until recently. The Haitians of Miami are finally starting to call Miami their true home. This makes them locals as opposed to exiles. The details of the picture show a crowded nice stadium. The stadium has clearly run out of seating so people are standing in the space that is provided. This shows that many people of Little Haiti have come to support and celebrate the creating of their new soccer park.

            The reason I decided to focus on this image was because like the Haitians the Jewish people have gone through so much struggle and adversity and until not that long ago it was hard to consider anyplace our home. Obviously I personally have never experienced anything like the Haitians when they were forced into refugee camps and were treated terribly but my ancestors certainly have. Like many Jewish people in the world I have met people who survived and lost love ones during the time of the Holocaust. It took years until Jewish people finally had a home and were finally noticed and helped. So like the Jewish people the Haitians went through suffering until recently when they can finally call Miami home. For me what separated this picture from any other picture of the opening day celebration was the sign in the background that is a little bit cut off that says “The Pride of.” Since the banner was cut off I couldn’t stop wondering if it said The Pride of Haiti, Little Haiti, or Miami. Regardless of what it states it is great to see the Haitians feel proud of their home.