The Moises
This is the Moise family. They are from Haiti. They live in Miami, FL. According to the American Community Survey there are approx. 1,084,055 U.S. residents that report Haitian descent. In Miami, there are approx 308,605 Haitians today. Melanie Moise, 87, is the eldest of 4 generations of Moise women who all live in Miami, FL and has been living in Miami’s Little Haiti for 37 years.
Photography by Travis Matthews
Styling by Alexander-Julian
Natalie Thames, 40
What is an American?
America is numerous entities and regions defined by politics, and individuals culture. A huge melting pot.
What are Haitian values?
To be respectful, well mannered, finish school, make a path for my children to know they can do and be great in ANYTHING that they do.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
It’s overall freedom, which we still struggle to have. To be able to succeed and be equal among those of other races. To break the chain of a systematic image that we can not do as other races can do. To make sure my children and generations after me, become independent in a positive light. To show a black-owned business can strive and is as talented as others.
What did the American Dream mean to your parents?
They wanted to come to America to have a better stepping stone for their children.
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Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
We all can thrive in the United States if we are provided the correct knowledge and education to do it.
Who dies in the United States of America?
Blacks.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Depends on the day and what is going on in the world.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
What is patriotic? If it is building relationships with different races under the US, then yes.
Are you patriotic towards Haiti?
Yes, to a certain degree. Our mainland has a lot of growing to do itself.
Why did you parents emigrate from their country of origin?
Parents are separated & never advised why they moved to the US.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
The different cultures. It is a giant melting pot.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
The killing & kidnapping of blacks. It doesn't matter what country you are from, if you are my shade, it's an automatic defense mechanism that occurs of not trusting our worth.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
Growth and this new generation is definitely showing us it can be done.
America is numerous entities and regions defined by politics, and individuals culture. A huge melting pot.
What are Haitian values?
To be respectful, well mannered, finish school, make a path for my children to know they can do and be great in ANYTHING that they do.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
It’s overall freedom, which we still struggle to have. To be able to succeed and be equal among those of other races. To break the chain of a systematic image that we can not do as other races can do. To make sure my children and generations after me, become independent in a positive light. To show a black-owned business can strive and is as talented as others.
What did the American Dream mean to your parents?
They wanted to come to America to have a better stepping stone for their children.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
We all can thrive in the United States if we are provided the correct knowledge and education to do it.
Who dies in the United States of America?
Blacks.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Depends on the day and what is going on in the world.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
What is patriotic? If it is building relationships with different races under the US, then yes.
Are you patriotic towards Haiti?
Yes, to a certain degree. Our mainland has a lot of growing to do itself.
Why did you parents emigrate from their country of origin?
Parents are separated & never advised why they moved to the US.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
The different cultures. It is a giant melting pot.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
The killing & kidnapping of blacks. It doesn't matter what country you are from, if you are my shade, it's an automatic defense mechanism that occurs of not trusting our worth.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
Growth and this new generation is definitely showing us it can be done.
Deja Thames, 16
What is an American?
An American is a person who was either born in America or has two America parents and is born from them.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
To me the American dream is simply just a dream. The American dream wasn’t created for everyone to reach.
What did the American Dream mean to your parents?
I don’t think the American Dream had a big effect on my parents. They set their own goals for life and strive to reach those goals.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
Mostly rich white men because it seems that the United States was built to protect how much power they truly have.
Who dies in the United States of America?
Any person of color but mainly those in the lower class who’s a person of color.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Overall yes compared to some people in other countries I have much more freedom than they.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
I’m just a little patriotic depending on the situation.
Are you patriotic towards Haiti?
Overall yes because sometimes people would say very ignorant things which aren't true.
Why did your parents emigrate from their country of origin?
My grandparents came to this country because they saw that they would have more opportunities here.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
My favorite thing about the United States is how diverse the country can be.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
How anti-Black people can be at times.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
I would like the United States to teach true history to kids and just white washed history.
An American is a person who was either born in America or has two America parents and is born from them.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
To me the American dream is simply just a dream. The American dream wasn’t created for everyone to reach.
What did the American Dream mean to your parents?
I don’t think the American Dream had a big effect on my parents. They set their own goals for life and strive to reach those goals.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
Mostly rich white men because it seems that the United States was built to protect how much power they truly have.
Who dies in the United States of America?
Any person of color but mainly those in the lower class who’s a person of color.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Overall yes compared to some people in other countries I have much more freedom than they.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
I’m just a little patriotic depending on the situation.
Are you patriotic towards Haiti?
Overall yes because sometimes people would say very ignorant things which aren't true.
Why did your parents emigrate from their country of origin?
My grandparents came to this country because they saw that they would have more opportunities here.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
My favorite thing about the United States is how diverse the country can be.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
How anti-Black people can be at times.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
I would like the United States to teach true history to kids and just white washed history.
Melanie Moise, 87
What is an American?
To be free.
What are Haitian values?
Hospitality, be obedient of elders, your parents. Respect for your family. Embrace the Haitian culture.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
For my kids to be free and great. I left at a young age and went to NY because that was where dreams were made of. I wanted all my children to be great.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
White people.
Who dies in the United States of America?
Black people.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Today a little bit.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
No.
Are you patriotic towards Haiti?
Yes.
Why did you emigrate from your country of origin?
So children can be better and do better.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
My church.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
They kill everybody.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
Everybody love everybody.
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To be free.
What are Haitian values?
Hospitality, be obedient of elders, your parents. Respect for your family. Embrace the Haitian culture.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
For my kids to be free and great. I left at a young age and went to NY because that was where dreams were made of. I wanted all my children to be great.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
White people.
Who dies in the United States of America?
Black people.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Today a little bit.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
No.
Are you patriotic towards Haiti?
Yes.
Why did you emigrate from your country of origin?
So children can be better and do better.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
My church.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
They kill everybody.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
Everybody love everybody.
Moise Family clothing by Fanm Mon, Pyer Moss, and Shop A.Au.