Haitian-Born Freedom Fighters

In the words of Mos Def, Haiti lives in “the now-now time signature.”

I met a teacher, in a tiny rural village in Haiti, who reminded me of Mos. He had the same charisma, the same smile, same sparkle in his eyes. I asked him if he knew Mos Def, he said no. …but he knows Toussaint.

Maybe all three men come from the same tribe. Like Mos and Toussaint, perhaps this young teacher has the power to move a generation. …to shape how we think, act, love. I met 5 others teachers on a tour of the country, as a board member of #AnseysPouHaiti. There are 30 powerful teachers in all. The most brilliant minds, dedicated souls, and proven builders of Haiti’s future. Among the aid workers from Canada, private developers from America and Parisian UN soldiers, lives a covert cadre of Haitian-born freedom fighters who begin training next month to teach the children of Haiti how to be free, how to live beyond the struggle and how to lead a nation. This revolution will not be televised. It will live and breathe in mountainside classrooms - as is the Haitian way.

Haiti reminds me that hard work is not an option; it is a proof point to one’s commitment to liberation. The country is stoic, brown, fast, rugged. A layer of smooth earth covers both people and plants making every moment, every physical space, furtive, more alive. With constant growth, Haitians live with an internal fire. Their history ignites them. The pressing needs of now fuel them. …in their bellies, a fire for justice. … sinewed shapes of arms, backs, torsos, blueprints of strength. This is not a loud and rebellious brand of justice. It is intense eyes. ...and bright memory. Quiet plans and good posture. An iron-my-shirt-for-the-revolution-type of justice. Trust me. Watch them work! (If you want to support this Haitain-led movement for educational justice: http://anseyepouayiti.org/donate/)