BernardJeanPierre previously said:

Question -

Should Haitian Women be allowed, encouraged and/or invited to participate on the Show 'Nuestra Belleza Latina' ?? Why or Why Not??

The first thing some people say is something along the lines of "Haitians are not Latina" etc, etc. But, consider the following -
1) Haiti is on the SAME Island as the Dominican Republic a Spanish speaking Caribbean Nation.
2) That region of the world is commonly referred to as Latin-America, etc.
3) A LARGE number of Haitians speak Spanish and share in many aspects of Spanish culture. For example, think of the plethora of Haitians (1st, 2nd generation) living in the Dominican Republic. Many of them were born in DR, they speak Spanish, they dance Merengue, they eat Dominican food etc etc. So culturally at least they ARE Dominican, or at least 'more' Dominican than Haitian. They are both Haitian and Dominican, and Dominican is considered 'Latin', 'Spanish' etc.
Many of the contestants on the show actually live in (or have lived in) the United States which is CLEARLY not considered 'Latin America' (although it has a massive Latin Culture and Diaspora), but those contestants are allowed to participate representing their Country. By extension, why could not a well qualified Haitian Woman represent Haiti and simultaneously showcase Spanish/Latin culture?? Especially if she is BORN in the Dominican Republic, speaks Spanish and understand Spanish culture as well as her vecina Dominicana???
4) Nearly EVERY Spanish speaking, Latin-oriented Country is comprised of a diverse mixture of people, very often that mixture includes African ancestry in some way - Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Columbia, Panama etc. Haiti is also very diverse, contrary to what the mainstream news generally conveys. Is Haiti 'Latin' or 'Spanish' within itself, technically no as the primary language is Haitian Creole. But technically Spanish and Latin are ALSO used in a way that does not REALLY apply since they refer to a person being from Spain - Europe. So at any rate it is a misnomer. If it is the 'culture' or 'language' that makes one 'Latin' or 'Spanish' then, clearly there is a considerable number of Haitians that would simultaneously be Haitian and Latin (see #3) or perhaps Afro-Latino or whatever term you want to use.
And 5) I think it would just be something positive and encouraging for Haitians to see. Something they can be proud of, something they can cheer for. That ALONE should be worth skipping over the trivialities concerning who is/is not 'Latina' etc.

What do you think? Is that unreasonable?

mirabal4ever previously said:


I think what you need to aim for more than what you have mentioned is to have more of a heart for a native born haitian to qualify rather than using the Dominican as a crutch as a place for a Haitian to come from. Jesus you are so ridiculous sometimes with some of the things you say. Btw Haiti already had the candidate and she represented well. Are you pleased enough?

Pepe32 previously said:

The problem is with the term LATINO ...what they are really showcasing is nuestra belleza HISPANA or IBEROAMERICANA so Haiti,Martinique,French Guyana etc don't qualify.

Second of all while we regardless of race or mixture share common cultural attributes directly from Spain and Portugal Haitians have very little French culture in them ...in other words Haitians are just West Africans with a thin veneer of French on the outside especially since most Haitians do not even know French!

You intend to provoke monsieur Bernard and your complete dedication to Haiti and Haitians belies your denial of said nationality .We have seen this pattern before and are tired of dealing with the interference of Haitian issues in our lives and I could safely say that most of us feel more kinship to Cubans and Puerto Ricans than to Haitians .If you live or travel to NY you will see that though sizable population of Haitians and Dominicans reside there ,there is very little interaction between Hatians and Dominicans or Hispanics in general.Haitians mainly interact with people from other Caribbean nations and Black Americans .


I am Hispano ,IBEROAMERICANO


Also ,the term LATIN includes SPAIN.FRANCE,ITALY,PORTUGAL and RUMANIA so should we include women from those nations??

The contest is for IBEROAMERICAN women ,period!

BernardJeanPierre previously said:

I think my #5 Point is the strongest of all. Who could possibly argue against that??

JEM237 previously said:

BernardJeanPierre = AfroLatino....again