I have been blessed in my life to be able to call many people from many different parts of the world, “my friend.” Growing up in Miami, Florida, I was exposed to many people my age from many different countries.

One of these countries is Haiti. Since my parents are from Cuba, we all share the Caribbean Sea as our home. I am not writing a political piece here, I want to strongly stand by my Haitian friends and say how lucky we are in the United States that they have been able to be a part of our nation.

I can honestly tell you from personal experience, that overall the many Haitian people that I have met, befriended, worked with or played soccer with, are some of the most humble, thankful, downright nicest people I have ever met.

Most of them, unfortunately, have very little say or power over their economic and political situation in their homeland. But those elements do not define who they are, and negative comments about their country are unnecessary.

They, like many others in history, look at the United States for a place that they can better their lives, their children’s lives and their families back home.

I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to work and socialize with Haitian citizens. They have taught me that no disaster, no economic recessions, and no amount of hunger, can get a person down, as long as you continue to believe in your goals and have hope.

I have also had the pleasure of working in Africa on an educational mission trip in Ghana. We were able to work in a rural school outside the capital of Accra to set up a computer lab with laptops, iPads and projectors for their students.

Just like the Haitians, the Ghanaians were very welcoming and thankful for our assistance, incredibly humble and overwhelmingly friendly. Even though poverty is an issue in Ghana, the country is stable in its political system.

These countries from the Caribbean and Africa do not enjoy what we in America determine to be a “good life”; however, they see their situation as a wonderful life and are thankful for what they have.

We shouldn’t refer to a country by a derogatory name just because we feel they do not share the same conveniences or luxuries that we have. In the end, even my Haitian and Ghanaian friends won’t believe me when I write this; they have taught me more about the meaning of life and happiness than I have ever helped them.

If we have personal opinions on political issues, that is fine and welcome. But using a blanket derogatory statement to describe a country or continent as a whole, because of political issues, is not acceptable.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” That boat, that place he talked about, is what we all want — a better life for our families, children and loved ones here in the United States of America. Let us all respect each other for who we are and respect where we came from.

Frank Cardelle is a teacher at North Rowan High School.