When success comes, they’re proudly Canadian — but when struggle hits, they’re just another immigrant story. It’s time we reclaim our narrative.
Published by The Haitian Pulse
Editorial Desk | June 1, 2025
It’s a rare and powerful moment for the Haitian community in Canada—and across the globe.
Lugentz Dort and Bennedict Mathurin, two elite athletes of Haitian descent hailing from Montréal-Nord, have reached the highest stage in basketball: the NBA Finals.
Their discipline, resilience, and undeniable talent have taken them where few ever go. And right on cue, the Canadian media has proudly embraced them—heralding their success with headlines like “Québécois stars shine on the global stage.”
But this wave of national pride brings with it an all-too-familiar question:
Where was this same national embrace when these young men were just ‘Black kids from Montréal-Nord’?
Because when the narrative shifts to poverty, crime, or tragedy in Black communities, the tone darkens. Suddenly, their Haitian identity becomes central—used to explain their “struggles” or distance them from mainstream Canadian identity.
Their victories are “ours.”
Their defeats are “theirs.”
This selective identity is not just troubling—it’s strategic.
“Se lè ou sou wout monte tout moun vin zanmi ou.”
Everyone becomes your friend when you’re on your way up.
We Must Reclaim Our Narrative
Let’s be clear: Dort and Mathurin are Canadian, yes—raised in Montréal, nurtured in Canada’s sports programs, and influenced by the society around them.
But they are also proudly Haitian—formed in Haitian households, guided by Haitian values, and inspired by a cultural heritage rooted in endurance, pride, and resistance.
To overlook that part of their identity is not only disrespectful, it is erasure.
That is why The Haitian Pulse exists—not just to share news, but to protect our stories, amplify our truth, and remind the world that we define ourselves.
When the media only claims our people in moments of glory—but casts them aside in times of hardship—it is our duty to speak up.
Let this moment be a turning point.
Let us celebrate our sons and daughters in full—not partially, not conditionally, not conveniently.
To Lugentz and Bennedict:
Nou fyè de nou.
You represent far more than athletic excellence. You are proof of the Haitian spirit. A reminder that greatness can rise from overlooked places—and shine bright enough to light the world.
To the Canadian Media:
We see your patterns.
We read between the lines.
And we will no longer let you edit our identity to suit your moment.
What’s Your Take?
How do you feel about the way the media handles success and struggle when it comes to Black and Haitian athletes?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let your voice be part of the Pulse.
About The Haitian Pulse
The Haitian Pulse is more than a media outlet. We are a global movement—dedicated to informing, organizing, and empowering Haitians everywhere.
From sports and politics to culture and community building, we’re here to shape the narrative and lead Haiti’s next renaissance.
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