A first-generation Haitian-American host a candid discussion with his mother about her 1980s refugee experience, family & human perseverance. This is a 5 episode podcast hosted by Wilkine Brutus featuring Paulette Francois.
Fragmented Black and African history, the influence and shaping of social, political and cultural identity in North and Latin America, African DNA, Haiti's landmarks, Arawak/Taino indigenous people...all connect together in this last episode. Haitian Saying: Bye kou bliye, pote mak sonje (He who strikes the blow forgets; he who bears the scars remembers)
Paulette was determined to spend Christmas with Wilkine in Busan, South Korea. And during her stay, she explored buddhist temples, tried different foods, and made new friends with a Russian and Hondorun immigrant. This podcast was actually inspired by this trip. Haitian Saying: Pitit tig se tig: A tiger's cub is still a tiger
Paulette explained how she positively dealt with inter-ethnic conflict, brought her four kids to Haiti, and gave thoughts on class differences and home ownership. Haitian Saying: Sonje lapli ki leve mayi ou. (Remember the rain that made your corn grow)
Paulette discussed her asthma attacks at the refugee camp in Puerto Rico, described what the "wet foot, dry foot policy" meant to her as a 16-year-old, and explained how she avoided the perils of depression. Haitian Saying: "map degaje mwen ton kon met jean jacques" ("I will handle my self like Jean-Jacques Dessalines")
Episode #1: Paulette Francois describes her refugee experience as a 15-year-old in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, her near-death experience, hospitality from Cuba, and the interfaith conflict/support between the Christian pastor and the vodou priest on her boat. Haitian Saying: Sou pa können pi gran pass'w (What you don't know is greater than you)
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