Displacement and Marginalisation of Haitian Immigrants

Abstract

Displacement is the forced or voluntary migration of people. Colonialism and Imperialism are the significant factors that lead to the displacement and dislocation of people. Economic poverty and natural calamities add to the physical movement of people from one country to another. The migrants suffer physically and psychologically in the host countries. The fear of non-acceptance leads to their marginalisation in society. Marginalisation is a social phenomenon in which ethnic minorities or sub-groups are excluded from mainstream society. When an individual migrates, he aspires to acceptance in the host country. The natives do not find any semblance to the migrants and do not accept them; they treat them indifferently, demean them, and use derogatory terms for them. The immigrants find it difficult to adapt and feel secluded and marginalised. Edwidge Danticat writes about the immigration of Haitians and the problems they faced after immigration. The immigrants are displaced in the host country and feel alienated when they do not find any help or solace. They face social, economic, political, cultural and psychological marginalisation. The marginalised are always at the receiving end, and their needs are ignored. These marginalised people may develop low self- confidence and self-esteem.