Dear Editor;

This letter is to inform you and your avid readers of the frustrating problems that we in the Haitian-Bahamian community face. The first and main problem is that we have the hardest time getting our passports and travel documents. We were born in this country many years ago, and in most cases before this country became independent in 1973. We still cannot get our Bahamian passports, even though our constitution guarantees us this right.

Because election is fast approaching us now, everyone is coming to us talking about "they are going to help you." To all of the Haitian- Bahamians who were born in this country before independence, please tell the politicians that you want your passports before you are going to vote for them.

We are tired of voting for politicians who only come around at election time. Haitian-Bahamians, please tell anyone who wants your support and your vote where you stand. Ask them what are the issues they care about, how and when are they going to meet the Haitian-Bahamian community.

We are sick and tired of politicians saying one thing and then doing something else. We want to know where they stand on the issues before we cast our votes for them. We are tired of them using our families, our loved ones, as scapegoats and deporting them. How can we vote for the same group of people who have been abusing, humiliating and mistreating us for almost 40 years?

We need Human Rights in The Bahamas, because we have no rights in The Bahamas. We need representatives who will not be afraid to speak out for us. We don't need lip service; we need action.

Shane Gibson said that he was deporting Haitians because he was creating jobs for Bahamians. Up to now, I have not seen any jobs yet. For the massive number of Haitians that have been deported from Freeport, Grand Bahama, have him tell us how many jobs were created under his ministry and Minister of Labour. He thinks he did good. This is worse for the Bahamas and Bahamians.

The only persons who spoke out on our behalf were Hubert Ingraham and Fred Smith. After that, no one else has spoken up for us in The Bahamas.

If the PLP come to you and ask you to vote for them, ask them when they were deporting the Haitians if there were any PLP leaders who asked them to stop. Ask them how many people they deported. Tell them to their face, and don't wait till they leave and speak behind their backs.

Ask them about the 10 Haitians who drowned off Exuma, and there is no answers until now. Ask them about all the Haitian homes that burnt down in Abaco. What did they say or do to prevent these fires which are now a regular thing in Marsh Harbour.

Under the PLP, Abaco had more unsolved fires in the Haitian Community than at any other time in the history of The Bahamas. Even the U.S. Ambassador has noted how evil and prejudiced the Bahamians are towards the Haitians. This is a shame for the white man to see and speak out about the blatant abuses and discrimination that our own black Bahamian brothers and sisters dish out to their less fortunate Haitian brothers and sisters.

The PLP deported the Haitians in an effort to impress the Bahamian public, but this has resulted in the further destruction of the Bahamian economy. Haitians make so many valuable contributions to this country and now we are seeing it. The stores are closing daily, because there is no business. They left no one to patronize the Bahamian people's businesses. When did you ever hear of volunteers being harassed by the Immigration Department? Only under the PLP administration.

In 1986 we were faced with Loftus Roker. Now in 2006 we had Shane Gibson. The sad fact is that Bahamians have not figured out yet that Haitians are here to stay.

I will never forget Shane Gibson because of what he did to my people. The only party that all the Haitian-Bahamians have to believe in is the FNM. Our leader is Hubert Ingraham.

Tell Vernae Grant, she needs to start talking with the Haitian-Bahamians in Eight Mile Rock. If she does not come soon, she will lose big. If we can't vote for the FNM, we won't vote. Only one party who cares for Haitian people is the FNM people. Don't let the PLP people buy you for $50 now, and five years later you can't find food to eat.

Look at all the hotels that have closed down. The PLP has not been able to open any one yet. Anytime the PLP is in power, we get no respect. We cannot find jobs. Please, my Haitian-Bahamian brothers and sisters, don't let the PLP come and try to fool you, telling you they will do something for you. Because they can't do anything for themselves. Look at the way they treated C.B. Moss. If they betrayed his trust, what do you think they will do to you? He was a loyal, faithful decent PLP Senator, and when they two-timed, back-stabbed and double-crossed him, they called him everything besides the child of God.

He was good enough for them to use him as a PLP Senator for almost five years, but he was not good enough when it was time for them to keep their promises to him. If PLPs can't trust PLPs., why should you trust them?

The only reason why I am writing this letter to the editor is because I am a Bahamian who was born in The Bahamas before independence and I have a right to speak out just like everyone else.

Sincerely yours,

Charite Alouidor