Boston Woman's Viral Clip Praising Haitian Migrant as 'Personal Chef' Sparks Social Media Uproar
A Boston woman's act of hospitality has become the centre of a heated online debate after a resurfaced news clip showed her describing a Haitian migrant she welcomed into her home as her 'own personal chef.'
A Home Offered Amidst Hardship
In February 2024, author Lisa Hillenbrand, 68, invited Wildande Joseph, her husband, and their young daughter to live in her $1.05 million Brookline condo. The family had been struggling to find stable housing, having previously slept on the floor at Boston Logan International Airport and later in a children's hospital after their daughter fell seriously ill.
The original story gained attention as it aired during a period of extreme gang violence in Haiti, led by figures like former police officer Jimmy 'Barbecue' Chérizier, which prompted a significant exodus from the Caribbean nation.
Resurfaced Remarks Ignite Controversy
Now, two years later, the news package has recirculated online, with a particular focus on Hillenbrand's comments about the arrangement's benefits for her. In the clip, she states, 'It's a delight, and it's really fun having them. What I realized is there's so much prejudice against refugees mostly because people don't know them.'
The video then shows Wildande cooking in the kitchen as the reporter narrates that Hillenbrand 'feels like she has her own personal chef.' This specific phrasing has triggered a storm of criticism on social media platforms.
Social Media Backlash and Defence
The viral clip has led many users to accuse Hillenbrand of exhibiting a modern form of servitude, with comments drawing stark historical parallels.
- One X user commented, 'It is so odd how anyone could do this and not see the historical parallels.'
- Another wrote, 'Proud slave owner…cool,' while a further user accused her of having 'toxic empathy.'
- Instagram reactions included posts like 'WTF...does she hear herself.'
However, others have defended Hillenbrand's decision to provide shelter, especially noting that Wildande has expressed a dream of one day opening her own restaurant.
- An Instagram user argued, 'At least she didn't just virtue signal and actually took people in and if the woman chooses to freely cook everyday then I don't see anything wrong with this scenario.'
- On X, a supporter posted, 'Wildonde loves cooking!!!'
- Another questioned the racial lens of the criticism, stating, 'Why does everything have to be seen through a racial prism? If the lady was an Irish migrant with the same arrangement, no one would bat an eye.'
Broader Context of Haitian Migration
The family was welcomed amidst a wave of Haitian migration to the US, with hundreds of thousands fleeing violence. At the time, President Joe Biden's administration granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian migrants, permitting legal residence and work.
The TPS program remains active and, as of 2025, has granted status to nearly 1.3 million individuals. Previous attempts by the Trump administration to terminate TPS for countries including Haiti were blocked by federal judges.
It is currently unclear whether Wildande and her family continue to reside with Hillenbrand in Boston. The Daily Mail has contacted Hillenbrand for further comment on the resurgent controversy.
