The Forgotten History of Haiti and America’s Shared Revolutionary Past
The story of Haiti and its relationship with the United States is far more intertwined than many Americans realize. During the Revolutionary War, in 1778, the British captured Savannah, Georgia, as part of their "Southern Strategy" to gain support from Loyalists in the region. A year later, with the help of French forces, a diverse contingent of soldiers, including the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue—a regiment of 545 Black and mixed-race soldiers from present-day Haiti—arrived in North America to aid in the American cause. Though the plan to recapture Savannah ultimately failed, the soldiers from Saint-Domingue played a crucial role in repelling a British counterattack. By the end of the war in 1783, the new American nation was deeply indebted to France and its colonies, including Saint-Domingue, which would go on to inspire its own revolution for independence less than a decade later. This historical connection is often overlooked, but it highlights the shared struggle for freedom and self-determination that binds the two nations.
A Memoir Unravels the Hidden Ties Between Haiti and the U.S.
Rich Benjamin’s memoir, Talk to Me: Lessons From a Family Forged by History, challenges the common American perception of Haiti as a distant, troubled "other." Benjamin weaves together his family’s epic story, which spans both Haiti and the United States, revealing a narrative of interconnectedness that complicates simplistic notions of national identity. The book begins in modern-day Brooklyn, where Benjamin’s mother, Danielle, is haunted by nightmares rooted in her traumatic past. Growing up, Benjamin knew little about his family’s history, as his mother kept her experiences tightly guarded. But as he delves deeper into his family’s past, he uncovers a legacy shaped by Haiti’s tumultuous history, including its struggles against colonial rule, dictatorship, and foreign intervention.
A Family Shaped by Haiti’s Turbulent History
Danielle Benjamin’s story is deeply intertwined with Haiti’s history. Her father, Daniel Fignolé, was a prominent figure in Haitian politics during the 20th century. A charismatic leader and founder of the Peasant Workers Movement (MOP), Fignolé advocated for the rights of Haiti’s dark-skinned majority, challenging the power of the mixed-race elite. His political ambitions came at a great personal cost. In 1957, just 19 days after he was appointed president, Fignolé was deposed in a violent military coup. He and his family were exiled to the United States, where they settled in Brooklyn. The trauma of this event left a lasting mark on Danielle, who struggled to reconcile her past with her new life in America. Her silence about these events alienated her from her children, including Rich, who grew up disconnected from his Haitian heritage.
The Legacy of Silence and the Search for Identity
Rich Benjamin’s journey to understand his family’s past becomes a metaphor for the broader struggle to confront the complex histories that shape both Haiti and the United States. His mother’s reluctance to discuss her childhood forces him to rely on archival research and interviews with relatives and former associates of his grandfather. Through this process, Benjamin uncovers the full extent of his family’s history, including the sexual assault his mother endured during the coup and the enduring trauma it caused. He also grapples with the silence that has defined his family’s narrative, recognizing that it has obscured not only their Haitian roots but also the connections between his mother’s struggles and his own experiences growing up as a Black American.
Haiti’s Resilience and the Power of Remembrance
Benjamin’s memoir takes a turning point when he travels to Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake. There, he encounters a vibrant culture that challenges his preconceptions about the island. He describes Haiti as a place of resilience, where people have learned to thrive in the face of adversity. This resilience is reflected in the way Haitians adapt and create beauty out of limited resources—a quality Benjamin affectionately refers to as "Haiti-sexy." His time in Haiti marks a shift in his relationship with his heritage, as he begins to see his family’s story as part of a larger narrative of resistance and survival. By reclaiming this history, Benjamin hopes to restore "remembrance to its rightful place."
A Shared History and the Path to Reconciliation
Talk to Me ultimately calls for a deeper understanding of Haiti’s place in the history of the Americas. Benjamin argues that Haiti’s story is inextricably linked to that of the United States, as both nations grapple with the legacies of colonialism, slavery, and systemic inequality. The book serves as a reminder that the struggles and triumphs of Haiti are not just a distant curiosity but a reflection of the broader challenges and aspirations of the New World. By engaging with Haiti’s history, Americans may come to see their own nation in a new light, recognizing the shared struggle for freedom and justice that binds them together. In this way, Benjamin’s memoir becomes not just a tribute to his family but also a call to confront the past and build a more inclusive future.
