Haiti’s Revolutionary Role and a Family Legacy Explored in New Memoir

NEW YORK, NY — In his new memoir, “Talk to Me,” Rich Benjamin delves into the intricate connections between Haiti and the United States, framed by the historical backdrop of the Revolutionary War and his family’s legacy in Haiti. The memoir explores how Haiti’s revolutionary past and its significant moments have shaped Benjamin’s understanding of identity.

The narrative begins with the capture of Savannah by British forces in 1778 as part of a Southern Strategy aimed at rallying Loyalist support. Benjamin notes that in 1779, approximately 4,000 soldiers from France and its colonies, including the Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue—545 Black and mixed-race soldiers from present-day Haiti—landed in North America to aid in reclaiming the city. Although the effort failed, their presence was crucial in preventing a British counterattack.

When the Revolutionary War concluded in 1783, Haiti’s involvement proved economically significant for the fledgling United States, which had become heavily indebted to France and its colonies. Benjamin recalls, “Saint-Domingue’s fight for independence was partially ignited by American victories, showcasing the intricate linkages of revolutionary ideologies.”

Benjamin reflects on his mother, Danielle, who was shaped by her family’s experiences during the U.S. occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1934. This occupation sparked national turmoil, where thousands of Haitians died amidst resistance against foreign control. After her father, Daniel Fignolé, a key figure in advocating for the laboring class, was named president, he was subsequently deposed in a military coup in 1957.

“My mother’s past is woven from deep trauma and resilience,” says Benjamin. “Yet, she kept much of it hidden, believing it was necessary to protect us from the pain of our history.” He describes instances of harshness he felt growing up, attributing much of it to his mother’s emotional scars from her youth.

Danielle’s childhood was forever altered when U.S. operatives oversaw the coup against her father and subsequently exiled the family to New York, where their struggles continued. In his book, Benjamin grapples with how her upbringing left them disconnected from their Haitian roots: “I often rejected my heritage,” he admits, “fearing its connections to violence and suffering.”

Through meticulous research and interviews with relatives, Benjamin attempts to reconstruct the buried narratives of his family. His search reveals not just the political landscape of Haiti, but also how it intertwines with broader themes of colonization and systemic oppression. He states, “To understand my mother, I must understand Haiti.”

“Talk to Me” illustrates the broader implications of Haiti’s history, drawing parallels between the struggles faced by both nations. Benjamin’s artistic expression emerges from his experiences, particularly during a 2010 trip to Haiti following a devastating earthquake, where he felt a powerful respect for the country’s cultural vibrancy. “Haiti, to me, became more than a symbol of despair. It represented resilience and unexpected beauty,” he notes.

The memoir serves not only as Benjamin’s exploration of heritage but also as an homage to those who came before him—the historical figures who shaped Haiti’s destiny. He concludes with a poignant acknowledgment of the necessity of remembering and preserving these stories, stressing, “Our past should not be hidden. It deserves to be recognized in order to build a better future.”

As Benjamin navigates his family history and Haiti’s geopolitical complexities, he raises important questions about identity, memory, and how stories of resilience can inspire future generations.