How do you say "Don't be" something. Such as "Don't be cruel". or "Please don't be mad" or "Don't be afraid". Not so much about the specific adjective but more about the construction of the "don't be" part. Thanks!

Actually, we would be translating to be cruel, to be afraid, to be shy, etc... as verbs.
We already know that "Don't" will be translated as 'Pa" in H. Creole.

Example:
To be afraid → pè
Don't be afraid → Pa pè

To be shy → fè timid / fè timidite
Don't be shy → Pa fè timid

To be upset → fache
Don't be upset → Pa fache

to be judgmental → jije
Don't be judgmental → Pa jije

to be greedy → fè goumandiz, fè aloufa, fè visye, fè avaris
Don't be greedy → Pa fè avaris

to be lazy → fè parese
Don't be lazy → Pa fè parese

to be jealous → fè jalouzi
Don't be jealous → Pa fè jalouzi

to be nosy → fè jouda
Don't be nosy → pa fè jouda


What if we wanted to say to be a noun?  We would still be dealing with 'verbs' in Haitian Creole.  For example:

Don't be a fool → Pa fè estipid ...

Don't be a jerk → Pa fè enbesil ....

Don't be a coward → Pa fè kapon ..

Don't be a stranger to me → Pa fè etranje avè'm.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words