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.
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Impact of AIDS Epidemic on Haitian Tourism
The 1980s AIDS epidemic devastated Haiti's tourism industry.
The CDC designated Haitians as a high-risk group, halting cruise ships and tourism.
insights INSIGHT
Vibrancy of Haitian Culture
Haitian culture thrives both within Haiti and in the diaspora.
The diaspora remains connected through organizations, language, food, and music.
insights INSIGHT
Haitian Diaspora's Unique Connection
The Haitian diaspora maintains strong ties to Haiti, unlike other diasporas.
Crises in Haiti strengthen these connections, as the diaspora acts as first responders.
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All Souls Rising is the first installment of Madison Smartt Bell's epic Haitian trilogy, focusing on the pivotal moment of the Haitian slave revolt that transformed Haiti into the world's first Black republic. The novel vividly portrays the brutal rebellion through a diverse cast of characters, highlighting themes of liberty, equality, and the complexities of violence and revolution.
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In 'Untwine', Edwidge Danticat tells the story of identical twin sisters, Giselle and Isabelle, whose lives are forever changed by a car accident. The novel explores themes of family, grief, and perseverance as Giselle reflects on her past and her bond with her sister while struggling to recover. It is a lyrical and heart-wrenching tale that delves into the complexities of love and loss.
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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.
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