The highly anticipated Haitian Compas Festival in Florida, which usually brings joy and cultural pride, ended on a disappointing note this year. The beloved band T-Vice was abruptly cut off in the middle of their performance—a moment that left both the audience and lead singer Roberto Martino visibly upset and frustrated.
But what caused this unfortunate incident?
Each year, during Haitian Heritage Month in May, the city of Florida graciously opens its doors to the Haitian community, allowing them to celebrate their culture, music, and most importantly, the Haitian flag with pride. It’s a significant opportunity, especially for those living in the diaspora, to showcase the richness of Haitian identity.
However, this year’s festival was marred by what many are calling poor planning and unprofessional coordination. The event organizers reportedly failed to manage the lineup efficiently, with Haitian music groups being thrown off schedule. Time management, already a recurring issue in past years, once again became a major setback.
When the festival went over its allotted time, the city police—tasked with maintaining order and enforcing regulations—stepped in to shut down the event, despite polite requests for a 10-minute extension. Though some believe the authorities could have shown more flexibility, it’s important to remember: this is not Haiti. We are guests in a system that operates with strict rules and structure. The permission to celebrate our heritage on foreign soil is a privilege, not a guarantee.
While Roberto’s reaction may have been fueled by passion and disappointment, it reflects a deeper truth: we, as Haitians, need to come together to create a better Haiti—a country where events like this could take place freely, on our own land, without compromise.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call, not just for event organizers but for the entire Haitian community. Let this be a lesson in unity, responsibility, and pride. As the saying goes:
“Peyi moun pa peyi pa’n” – Someone else’s country is not our own.
Until we build a safer, more stable Haiti, we must remember to respect the rules of the nations that host us—and strive to represent our culture with the excellence it deserves.
Samuel Georges
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