Garcelle Beauvais Says “Stop The Chaos,” Defends Haitians In Video Plea
Written by djfrosty on September 18, 2024
Source: Variety / Getty
Actress Garcelle Beauvais released a video in response to the defamation of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, by Republicans and others.
The recent false claims about Haitian Immigrants eating dogs and cats perpetuated by Republican politicians including former President Donald Trump have put that community at high risk. Veteran actress Garcelle Beauvais, who is of Haitian descent, took to social media to make a plea for the attacks to stop. She released a video on her Instagram account Monday, Sept. 16, writing in the caption: “I have been holding this in for a week, hoping, praying it would go away, but it hasn’t!!! Anyone who knows me, knows that I speak my mind! This madness has got to stop.”
“Staying silent in the face of racism and hate is something that I refuse to do,” The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star began. “This past week, the lies that have been spewed about the Haitian community — about my community — have been disgusting, deeply hurtful, and dangerous. Now, this is not about politics. It’s about humanity. We must condemn this kind of hatred, this kind of racism, for anyone,” Beauvais continued. “And I will not sit by and let people talk about my community in any way they want for their own gain.”
She ended the video by imploring her followers to vote, reiterating the message in Haitian Creole. “The power we have is the power to vote, to register and vote and stop this madness, this chaos. I am not going to sit by. It’s just not okay to treat people like this. We’re supposed to be uplifting each other, from our leaders to our neighbors. This has got to stop, and we have to do something about it.”
Beauvais has always been proud of her heritage. The actress, who was born in Saint-Marc, Haiti, made her debut in the classic film Coming To America in 1988. Since then, she has built a strong career with prime roles in The Jamie Foxx Show and NYPD Blue, in addition to being a sought-after fashion model and the author of a 2022 memoir, Love Me As I Am: My Journey from Haiti to Hollywood to Happiness. “I love my country and I’ve always been proud to say I’m Haitian,” she said in an earlier interview with the Grio. Even when there were negative connotations back in the day, I never shied away from saying where I’m from and being proud of it.”