React to the article "Tale of Two Islands." Do you think a case can be made for charges of institutional racism?

In all honesty, I’m not sure. I decided to discuss this case with my Mother. She was born in the United States, but considers her home to be that of Puerto Rico. So, I thought she might have some insight on the situation with Cuba and Haiti. Before I could read the entire article, she explained that they were undergoing two very different situations. Cubans were considered to be political refugees, while Haitians were considered to be economic migrants. One group was severely affected by the political status of the country they are from, so affected are they that they fear for their life because of their political beliefs and will not return to their country for the fear of being prosecuted. The other group is severely affected by the economic status of the country, and has willingly chosen to the leave it for economic reasons. When I began to read the article, that explanation made sense. People who opposed the political agenda of the masses could be in grave danger if forced to live in a country that they didn’t see eye to eye with. It’s like letting a herd of sheep live near a den of wolves. Eventually the wolves will get hungry and start to pick them off one by one. But what of the ones willing to go, economic conditions so poor it drives away the country’s own people. Of course if one has the means, we always opt to live in a more economically stable environment. No one in their right mind wants to live in poverty. Why didn’t the United States extend that helpful hand once again to those in need? Haitians weren’t willingly going; instead they were being forced out by the deteriorating economic and political status they were practically being forced to live in. Unfortunately, with Papa Doc also came a lot of the similar treatment given to citizens based on their political standings. Papa Doc was a dictator, much like Fidel Castro, and denied all human rights. He also forced all political rivals into exile. Those whom were exiled due to their political beliefs were granted similar help like those coming from Cuba, but many Haitians were turned away if they couldn’t bring sufficient evidence of such reasons for leaving. The ones who were turned away were sent back to the deplorable conditions of their country. Yes, the situations are different, but not by much. A large part of Haiti’s descent into poverty was due to the United States’ hand in this whole fiasco. At times I even believe that the United States even found it suitable to leave Haiti in the state that it was in. Although, it is easy to claim institutional racism because both parties are different in ethnic looks, black and white, I would still need more information, more facts, and more accounts of the one’s who experienced these living conditions. I’m not sure if the United States have stopped being racist, but I do know often times they only act out when they can reap something of benefit.