Author: Opastaff
In a bold move that truly embodies the spirit of unilateral government action, the current administration has apparently decided the TSA should moonlight as an immigration enforcement agency. Yes, the same TSA that confiscates your water bottle and swabs your laptop for explosives is now helping identify and detain undocumented immigrants. Because obviously, the next natural evolution of airport security is to start dabbling in immigration law enforcement. No need to check with Congress. No votes needed. No messy public debates. This all happened quietly, seamlessly, and, let’s be honest, sneakily. The TSA, originally formed to prevent terrorism after 9/11,…
For seventy years, Haitian music has carried the heartbeat of a people, shaping identity, inspiring generations, and echoing far beyond the island’s borders. Yet despite its influence, its innovators, and its proud legacy, the world had never formally acknowledged the depth and cultural weight of Haiti’s most emblematic musical creation: Compas. That changed on December 10, 2025, when Konpa/Compas d’Haïti was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is the first time in history that Haitian music has been honored at this level, marking a turning point not only for the genre, but…
The tragic death of 11 year old Haitian schoolgirl Stephora Anne Mircie Joseph continues to raise painful questions, both in the Dominican Republic and throughout the Haitian community abroad. What should have been a joyful school outing ended in devastation, and nearly a year later the public is still struggling to understand how a healthy young child could leave for a field trip and never return home. Was this a case of negligence, avoidable and preventable, or something more disturbing than an accident. The facts that have emerged so far are troubling, and the details known to the public offer…
When Montgomery County authorities arrested Markendy Datus in September of 2025, the internet reacted with disbelief. The Haitian born father, known online for videos centered on family life and his children, was charged with Sexual Assault of a Child and booked under case designation INSTANTER D221. His bond was set at $75,000 and his listed residence at the time was 14011 Mack Wood Trail in Conroe, Texas. The allegations shook many who had followed him for years because his social media presence portrayed the image of a loving father and a family oriented man. A video later resurfaced from his…
On December 4, 2025, history was made when New York City voted unanimously to officially recognize July 26 as Haitian Konpa Day, a move that not only honors Haitian music but also cements the cultural influence of Haiti within one of the most diverse cities in the world. The resolution, known as Resolution 987, passed with full support from the City Council, making Konpa an officially acknowledged cultural celebration date in New York City. This measure was introduced and sponsored by Brooklyn Council Member Rita Joseph, a representative of one of the largest Haitian communities in the United States. The…
Fans of Djakout #1 were left in disbelief over the weekend after lead vocalist Pouchon Duverger suddenly collapsed on stage in the middle of a live performance. The incident took place during a major show featuring Djakout #1 and Klass at Gulfstream Park Racing in Florida, an event that drew a large crowd of Kompa loyalists eager to see two powerhouse bands share the same bill. What started as a high-energy night quickly turned into panic as Pouchon fell to the ground without warning. Witnesses reported that the collapse happened abruptly, interrupting the band mid-performance. Videos circulating online show a…
The Biden administration has implemented a nationwide immigration freeze that is now impacting thousands of individuals and families across the United States, including many within immigrant and Caribbean communities. The freeze places a halt on a wide range of immigration processes, creating uncertainty for those who were already in the middle of applying for legal status or awaiting approval after months or even years of waiting. Under this new measure, the government has paused all immigration applications for people originating from nineteen countries already subject to travel restrictions. This includes green card petitions, citizenship applications, asylum cases, and several visa…
Well, another one bites the dust. First Marjorie Taylor Greene made her grand, attention grabbing announcement about stepping back from public life, turning political turbulence into yet another spectacle. Then Candace Owens suddenly vanished from her own platform. No notice, no explanation, nothing but silence. Her followers were left refreshing her page, whispering theories, and wondering why a woman who never runs out of words suddenly had none. When she finally reappeared, she reluctantly addressed the elephant in the room, confirming that something was very off. Together these two moments say more about today’s political reality than people want to…
Fabrice Simon was one of those rare artists who could take fabric and turn it into poetry. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1951, he moved to the United States as a young man with a dream that would soon captivate New York’s fashion and art world. In the 1980s, while the city pulsed with energy, music, and creative rebellion, Fabrice emerged as one of the most influential Black designers of his time, blending the elegance of couture with the vibrant colors and rhythm of his Haitian roots. His work stood out instantly. Fabrice’s gowns shimmered with sequins, beads, and movement.…
Assotto Saint was not just a poet. He was a movement. Born Yves François Lubin on October 2, 1957, in Les Cayes, Haiti, Assotto Saint would grow up to become one of the most fearless Black queer voices of his generation. His name, inspired by the Vodou drum “Assotor” and the Christian saint tradition, reflected his belief in duality, faith, and rhythm, everything that defined both his life and his art. In the late 1970s, he emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in New York City, where he immersed himself in the heart of the LGBTQ+ and artistic communities.…