Podcasts > NPR's Book of the Day > In 'Talk to Me,' the grandson of a former Haitian president uncovers family secrets

In 'Talk to Me,' the grandson of a former Haitian president uncovers family secrets

By NPR (podcasts@npr.org)

The grandson of a former Haitian president delves into his family's history in this episode of NPR's Book of the Day. Despite his grandfather's brief presidency in 1957, Rich Benjamin shares how a shroud of silence surrounded this pivotal event within his family. His journey to uncover the truth exposes his grandfather's role as a labor activist in Haiti and the United States' concerns over his efforts due to economic interests in the country.

Benjamin's exploration touches upon Haiti's long history of exploitation at the hands of colonial powers like France and the United States. Haiti's path to independence and self-determination, he reveals, was consistently undermined by foreign interventions reshaping the nation to benefit outside forces over local interests.

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In 'Talk to Me,' the grandson of a former Haitian president uncovers family secrets

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In 'Talk to Me,' the grandson of a former Haitian president uncovers family secrets

1-Page Summary

Family History and the Gaps/Silences in It

Rich Benjamin, in his podcast, explores the gaps and silences surrounding his grandfather's brief 19-day presidency in Haiti in 1957. Despite this significant historical event, Benjamin reveals that a pervasive wall of silence existed within his family, especially from his mother, about his grandfather's political past.

Faced with this lack of information from familial sources, Benjamin took an alternative route to uncover his grandfather's history. He declassified State Department files on his family and took a trip to Haiti, which became crucial in piecing together the narrative of his grandfather's life and presidency.

Rich Benjamin's Grandfather's Political Activities and US Interest

Benjamin's grandfather, Daniel Finiole, was an influential figure in Haiti's labor movement during the 1940s, advocating for workers' rights across various industries. This caught the attention of the US government and American corporate interests, who saw Finiole as a threat to their economic stakes in Haiti.

According to Benjamin, American executives viewed Finiole as a "rabble-rouser" and "fellow traveler," expressing concern about his efforts to champion wage and labor reforms for Haitian workers. The US embassy in Haiti closely monitored Finiole's activities and reported back to Washington, highlighting the intersection of labor rights, foreign policy, and economic interests.

Haiti's Independence and Foreign Relations History

In his exploration of his grandfather's history, Benjamin delves into Haiti's complex independence and foreign relations, marked by exploitation and colonial influences from powerful nations like France and the United States.

Benjamin discusses how France forced Haiti to pay an "independence debt" through violence and gunboat diplomacy, establishing a colonial legacy that shaped Haiti's exploitative economic ties with foreign powers.

The US colonization of Haiti in 1915 further entrenched this legacy, as Benjamin notes that the American administration restructured Haiti's constitution to prioritize US business interests over the development of the Haitian economy itself.

These colonial influences, Benjamin suggests, have profoundly impacted Haiti's struggles and challenges in establishing self-sufficient development and robust foreign relations that prioritize the well-being of its people.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore your own family history to better understand personal and cultural identities by starting a genealogy project using online resources like Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org. By constructing a family tree and reaching out to relatives for stories, you may uncover untold narratives or historical events that have shaped your family's trajectory, similar to how a political past influenced a family's identity.
  • Engage with your local community to advocate for workers' rights by volunteering with organizations that focus on labor issues. By offering your time to groups like the Workers' Rights Law Center or a local union, you can contribute to the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices, echoing the historical labor movements that have had lasting impacts on societies.
  • Educate yourself on the historical economic relationships between your country and others by reading books or attending lectures on the topic. This knowledge can help you understand the current economic and political landscape, much like how colonial legacies have shaped nations' development. Look for works by economists and historians that delve into the economic history of your country's relationships with others, which can provide a broader context for contemporary issues.

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In 'Talk to Me,' the grandson of a former Haitian president uncovers family secrets

Family History and the Gaps/Silences in It

Rich Benjamin delves into the unspoken chapters of his family's history, revealing the challenges he faced in uncovering the story of his grandfather's brief presidential tenure in Haiti.

Rich Benjamin's Family Was Silent About His Grandfather's 19-day Presidency of Haiti in 1957

Grandfather's Leadership and Rich's Limited Knowledge

Rich Benjamin's maternal grandfather, Daniel Finiole, held the presidency of Haiti for 19 days in 1957. Despite this significant historical event, a pervasive wall of silence existed within Benjamin's family, especially regarding his grandfather's political past. This deep-seated reticence minimized discussions and sharing of information about his grandfather’s leadership, leaving Benjamin with limited understanding of this part of his heritage.

Rich Benjamin's Family, Especially His Mother, Maintained a Wall of Silence, Preventing Him From Learning About His Grandfather's History

Rich Benjamin Couldn't Get His Family to Share His Grandfather's Past

Benjamin encountered a formidable wall of silence within his own family that obstructed his inquiries into his grandfather's life and presidency. This resistance to conversation, particularly from his mother, prevented Benjamin from gaining insights into his grandfather’s past through familial channels.

Rich Benjamin Used Archives and a Haiti Trip to Learn About His Grandfather's Life and Presidency

Family Info Lacking, Rich Benjamin Declassifies Grandfather's State Dept. Files

Faced with this familial silence, Ric ...

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Family History and the Gaps/Silences in It

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Start a personal history project by interviewing older relatives to capture their stories and insights. Record these conversations or take detailed notes, ensuring you're preserving family history that might otherwise be lost. For example, ask your grandparents about their childhood, significant life events, or any historical events they've witnessed.
  • Create a family tree with annotations for each member's achievements and challenges. Use online genealogy platforms to trace your lineage and add personal notes about what you discover. This could include military service, migration stories, or notable community involvement, providing a richer understanding of your heritage.
  • Engage in ...

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In 'Talk to Me,' the grandson of a former Haitian president uncovers family secrets

Rich Benjamin's Grandfather's Political Activities and US Interest

Rich Benjamin's grandfather, Daniel Finiole, was an impactful figure in Haiti's labor movement, which caught the attention of the US government and American corporate interests during the 1940s. His efforts in advocating for workers' rights brought him into conflict with foreign entities that had stakes in Haiti's economic sectors.

Rich Benjamin's Grandfather, Daniel Finiole, Was a 1940s Labor Union Leader in Haiti, Representing Various Industry Workers

Starting in 1946, Daniel Finiole rose to prominence as a labor union leader who dedicated himself to representing workers across multiple industries in Haiti, including sugar, fruit, factory, and sugar cane. His advocacy for wage and labor reforms sought to improve the lives of Haitian workers, which was of particular concern to the United States government.

Finiole's Wage and Labor Reforms For Haitians Concerned US Government

The US government, alert to the sway that Finiole held and the reforms he championed, closely monitored his movements and the potential implications for American interests in Haiti. These interests were predominantly economic, as American corporations relied on the profitability and control of the Haitian labor industry.

Executives Viewed Finiole As a Threat to Their Interests in Haiti, Labeling Him a "Rabble Rouser" and "Fellow Traveler."

American corporate executives saw Finiole as an adversary who threatened their profits and dominance in Haiti. They derisively termed him a "rabble-rouser," denoting their belief that he stirred up discontent among workers. T ...

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Rich Benjamin's Grandfather's Political Activities and US Interest

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can deepen your understanding of labor history by reading biographies of lesser-known labor leaders similar to Daniel Finiole. By exploring the lives of these individuals, you'll gain insight into the challenges and strategies of labor movements, which can inform your perspective on current labor issues. For example, find a biography of a labor leader from your own country or another part of the world and compare their experiences with Finiole's.
  • Start a blog or social media page dedicated to sharing stories about the intersection of labor rights and foreign policy. Use this platform to highlight historical and contemporary cases where labor movements have been influenced by international politics, much like Finiole's situation. This can raise awareness and foster discussions about the global impact of labor rights.
  • Engage in consumer activism by researching the ...

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In 'Talk to Me,' the grandson of a former Haitian president uncovers family secrets

Haiti's Independence and Foreign Relations History

The history of Haiti's independence and its foreign relations is marked by complex interactions and exploitative ties with foreign powers, particularly France and the United States.

Haiti's Independence Led To an "Independence Debt" To France Via Violence and Gunboat Diplomacy

Haiti's path to independence in the early 19th century set a precedent for its future international relations. Benjamin discusses that upon gaining independence, France forced Haiti to pay an "independence debt." This debt was exacted through violent means and gunboat diplomacy, reinforcing a colonial legacy that would shape Haiti's exploitative economic ties with foreign nations from that point onwards.

Colonial Legacy Shaped Haiti's Complex, Exploitative Ties With Foreign Powers, Including the U.S

The imposition of the "independence debt" by France was just the beginning of external influences that would deeply affect Haiti's sovereignty and development. This colonial legacy continued to manifest itself in Haiti's relations with other foreign powers, most notably with the United States.

US Colonization of Haiti Began In 1915; Economy Structured to Benefit Us Interests

During the US colonization that began in 1915, the American administration reorganized Haiti's constitution to prioritize and benefit US business interests. This restructuring aimed at aligning Haiti's economic output with the demands and needs of the US, instead of focusing on the development of the Haitian economy for the Haitians themselves.

Colonial Influence on Haiti's Struggles and Foreign Relations

The colonial influence on Haiti set the stage for a series of struggles that the nation faced in terms of its foreign relations and domestic development. The impact of colonization and ...

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Haiti's Independence and Foreign Relations History

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can deepen your understanding of Haiti's history by reading books written by Haitian authors to gain insight from those directly influenced by the country's past. By choosing authors who have lived the experience or are descendants of those who have, you'll get a more nuanced perspective that goes beyond what's typically taught in history classes. For example, look for works by Edwidge Danticat or Roxane Gay, who explore themes of Haitian identity and history.
  • Support Haitian-led businesses and initiatives to contribute to the country's economic independence and development. Research and purchase from companies that are based in Haiti and run by local entrepreneurs. This can include buying Haitian art, coffee, or clothing online, ensuring your money goes directly to the people and helps build a more self-sufficient economy.
  • Educate others about the impa ...

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