Reading My Way Back to Haiti
I was 14 years old when I first read a book by a Haitian author. My cousin handed it to me and said read this. I think she was trying to prove that there were other famous Haitian creatives besides Wyclef Jean. At the time, my teenage mind had no idea Haitians were writing for a living. I was surrounded by people whose career goals were nursing, medicine, or law. Any creative career felt like a fantasy, not a reality. So when I found out there was a book from and by my people, I was genuinely excited. The book was Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat. Reading it taught me about the struggles and suffering my mother carried as a Haitian immigrant. It gave me a deeper sympathy and empathy for her and for Haitian women who share that story. After finishing it, I went to my local library looking for more, specifically Krik? Krak!, but I couldn't find it. I eventually forgot about it, but I'm adding it to my reading list now. I want to read more about the country I hope to ...
