Growing up as a Haitian in America in the early 90s, there's no way I could've predicted that I would one day be wearing the jersey of the best rookies in the NBA, and that player would be Haitian. The adversity we faced as a community in Haiti and the U.S. stifled many young athletes' potential.
However, in recent years, more and more young Haitians are reaching the professional level in basketball and football. Some of the best players in the NBA and NFL are Haitian. For those of us who grew up when Haitians were looked down upon as the worst of the worst, it is a proud moment to witness these athletes reach the mountaintop in pro sports.
From Naomi Osaka to Benedict Mathurin, this episode is dedicated to the current generation of Haitian athletes and their forerunners who overcame bullying and mental and physical abuse to achieve their goals.
