Political Gabfest Gabfest Reads | A Former Haitian President’s Grandson Lives the Modern Immigrant Experience
Feb 15, 2025
Rich Benjamin, author of "Talk to Me: Lessons From a Family Forged by History," shares insights into his family's remarkable past, including his grandfather Daniel Fignolé, who served as Haiti's president in 1957. They discuss the lasting impacts of political turmoil on Rich's life and family dynamics. The conversation delves into the immigrant experience, exploring themes of identity, trauma, and the struggle to balance cultural heritage with adaptation in a new environment. Rich also highlights the importance of empathy in understanding diverse backgrounds.
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Fignolé's Rise and Fall
- Rich Benjamin's grandfather, Daniel Fignolé, was a Haitian labor leader who became president in 1957.
- Fignolé was ousted by a coup the same year, allegedly involving American influence.
US Intervention and Fignolé's Opposition
- The U.S. colonized Haiti in 1915, rewriting laws to benefit American corporations.
- Fignolé opposed corporate exploitation of Haitian workers, leading to his labeling as a communist during the Cold War.
Friendship Turned Rivalry
- Fignolé's friend, François Duvalier (Papa Doc), became his rival in the 1957 presidential race.
- Duvalier was complicit in the coup against Fignolé, highlighting the personal impact of political turmoil.
