My name is Mackendie Toupuissant, I am a migrant from Haiti. I arrived in France in December 1982 at the age of 8 to join my father who was already here for 2-3 years and who lived for 2 years in Italy.
Upon my arrival in France, I was able to undergo my academic path from primary to business school. After these years, I can say that I am “a pure product of integration and popular education”. Indeed, I have been able to benefit from the resources put at the disposal of families and citizens of the city of Pantin ranging from various social activities, to cultural outings and animation.
Moreover, during my youth, I was mentored by a generation of young women and men who were part of ‘La Marche des Beurs[1]’ [called the march for equality and against racism initiated in 80s in France]. It was a generation of young North Africans who pledged for their right to integration and recognition by the French Government of their situation and that of their parents. Despite it, their integration remained complex. Being part of this group enabled me to sketch my path and discover a number of things out of my culture.
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