I'm all for privacy, as a celebrity we aren't entitled to know every detail of your life. Celebrities are entitled to privacy, they have families to protect and keep out of the limelight, etc..., but as much as I loooooooooove me some Maxwell, it bothers me that he doesn't own all of his Haitian-ness. I'll explain my stance:
Out of my sisters and brother, my sisters and I were born in the U.S. My oldest sister is married to a Haitian man, my other sister has children with an African-American, and I have a child that Basian (Barbados), and Caucasian with Irish and German roots, on his paternal side. My nephew used to say I'm only "half-Haitian", and I used to tell the boy, please your still Haitian even though your father's family isn't..it doesn't take away from your haitian-ness. My son considers himself Haitian, he doesn't say I'm not Haitian or I'm half-Haitian...but he does say I'm Haitian, and Basian, and Irish, and German, etc... his dad and grandparents don't get offended and agree because he mostly exposed to his Haitian culture. The grandkids grew up in a Haitian household, being taken care of by a Haitian grandmother, was spoken to in Creole whether you understood or not, attended Haitian parties, listened to and danced to Kompas, attended almost every Haitian event, grew up in a predominately Haitian town, and ate Haitian food every day of your life.
My son and a handful of my nieces and nephews at a Haitian Flag Day Celebration in '09
My parents emigrated to the U.S. in the late 1960's, when they were very few Haitians in the area. When I was growing up in the late late 70's, 80's, my neighborhood consisted of maybe 3 Haitian families; we were the first of few Haitians that most people encountered. There was one Haitian restaurant and one Haitian bakery in the whole town. I attended a predominately Caucasian, Catholic school from grades K-8--none of my classmates knew anything about Haiti, and used to ask the most ignorant questions (yes I'm still scarred from that)..ugghhh. The few black students were all Haitian. But at that time being that we were so scarce, it just wasn't "cool" to be Haitian...we were made fun of, our parents had funny accents, our names were different, we ate different, dressed different, etc.... Regardless of this I was taught to be proud of my cultural heritage.
A great influx of Haitians entered the United States in the 90's, some as refugees, due to political conflict. They were labeled as "just comes", "frenchys", "fresh off -the-boat". When I attended my public high school many Haitian students didn't think I was Haitian...the funniest thing is when people talk about you in creole because they don't think you understand! I was accused by some of not acting like it. That was so far from the truth, not my fault that I was born in the U.S. and Americanized. I guess there were those who were ashamed and/or tried to avoid ostracism by not claiming their culture. I know of many students that were born in Haiti but claimed to be born in the U.S. There was a well-known "Black-American vs. Haitian" beef and many fights. There is a real trend amongst Haitians and Haitian-Americans to deny, disconnect and/or downplay the degree of their Haitian heritage. For example, I know a girl that always refers to herself as "dominicana" because her mother is Dominican, meanwhile she was raised by her Haitian grandmother and has a Haitian last name--she won't say she's Haitian for nothing! I know some people who do it and I call them out. I can't say that Maxwell is doing the same and/or for those reasons, but it just rubs me the wrong way.
Things have changed drastically around here. Haitians are very prominent. There are many Haitian residents, restaurants, churches, and businesses. Our mayor is a Haitian women, Haitians are very visible on the political scene. It has changed so much that to not be Haitian is almost abnormal. Unfortunately, the torch of discrimination and shame has been passed to Mexicans and Central Americans. I can remember when we were mistreated, labeled, and discriminated against in that way. Not cool!
Haitians and come very far as I have witnessed. In recent coverage of the earthquake there are constant references to the poverty and political instability. Those whom have always discriminated against us have used this as an opportunity to bash us. We are "looters" rather than needy survivors...the list goes on and on....
As a "regular" citizen it's my duty to educate and promote my cultural heritage. It's my duty to defend and represent my homeland. As important as it is for a regular person like me to do, I think that it's as equally important for prominent Haitians, celebrities, musicians, and politicians to represent ourselves with pride, and give a face to Haiti, other than the stereotype. That's why I have so much respect for celebrities such as Garcelle Beauvais and Wyclef. It was such a big moment for Haitians when Wyclef draped himself in the Haitian flag and performed in the Grammy's years ago. My dad doesn't listen to rap, but because of Wyclef's Haitian pride, he sure does bump to Wyclef while driving...funniest thing ever, lmao!
Here's more info on those you probably didn't know are Haitian or of Haitian descent:
http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/01/22/10-celebrities-you-probably-didnt-know-are-haitian/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Haitian_Americans