Conversations with Tyler

Edwidge Danticat on Haitian Art and Literature

Nov 4, 2020

Edwidge Danticat, an acclaimed Haitian-American novelist and MacArthur Genius Fellow, shares her journey from Haiti to the U.S. and how her roots shape her identity. She discusses the vibrant Haitian art scene and the cultural resilience of her homeland, including the significance of local cuisine and painted tap-taps. Danticat delves into the impact of tourism on art, the influence of Haitian proverbs, and her unique nighttime writing habits. She reflects on the struggles faced by Haitian-Americans and the importance of personal agency, especially during challenging times.

51:40

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Episode guests

Edwidge Danticat

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Haitian Cultural Resilience

14min

The Evolution and Impact of Haitian Art and Culture

21min

Self-Responsibility and the Fragility of Freedom

2min

Cultural Significance of Haitian Proverbs and the Beauty of Jacquemel

4min

A Journey of Passion: Writing and Productivity

2min

Navigating Identity in Literature

4min

Travel Tips and Meaningful Proverbs for Exploring Haiti

3min

Edwidge Danticat left Haiti when she was 12, she says, but Haiti never left her. At 14 she began writing stories about the people and culture she loved, and now is an internationally acclaimed novelist and short story writer as well a MacArthur Genius Fellow. Rather than holding herself out as an expert or sociologist on Haiti, she seeks to treat her characters and culture with nuance and show the beauty and complexity of the place she calls home.

She joined Tyler to discuss the reasons Haitian identity and culture will likely persist in America, the vibrant Haitian art scenes, why Haiti has the best food in the Caribbean, how radio is remaining central to Haitian politics, why teaching in Creole would improve Haitian schools, what’s special about the painted tap-taps, how tourism influenced Haitian art, working with Jonathan Demme, how the CDC destroyed the Haitian tourism industry, her perspective on the Black Lives Matter movement, why she writes better at night, the hard lessons of Haiti’s political history, and more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded September 18th, 2020 Other ways to connect

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