I think the most intriguing part of Danticat's writing was her incorporation of Haiti and Haitian culture. I think the majority of readers would have little to no information about the small Caribbean country. Still, the author provides vivid imagery of the nature there and gives an insight into Haiti, presenting national issues from a different perspectives.
In her story, Danticat gives this recurring image of breathing and the struggle to do so, which seems like a reference to both coronavirus and George Floyd's death. Reading her perspective on American race issues was fascinating, and I thought she brought up some valid and interesting parallels between the issues facing Haiti. Specifically, Danticat mentions the torture and murder Yusuf Hawkins, among many others, whose story was eerily similar to those she had seen in Haiti under the dictatorship there.
I think that the US, a global superpower, and its citizens, tend to look down on poorer countries like Haiti. While it's true that we don't have some of the problems, it was both humbling to see that we really aren't doing better than Haiti in this sector. While we shouldn't look at Haiti as someone we should be "better" than, it is a good reminder that our country has a lot of work to do with regards to social justice.
You made such a great point about how the United States looks down on certain countries. It is so crazy to me because the U.S. has its own issues and we shouldn't look down upon others.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed that recurring image, glad you brought it up. It was easily my favorite aspect of her writing.
ReplyDeleteIt occurred to me reading this that Ray is perhaps emblematic of a COVID patient, a victim of racial injustice, and maybe also of a Haitian or Haitian immigrant who struggles to breathe, in other ways, in a US dominant culture.
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