Remembering

Today was the day that we went to Na Sonje, which means "we will remember." Carla one of the coordinators took us to the porch and showed us this incredible view. We could see the mountains from a far, the trees, and plains of land. Then she began saying “Now imagine before this was a planation of sugarcanes and indigo. This plantation was the foundation of France’s empire.” We where then welcomed from the actors at Na Sonje with the beauty of music. “We don’t speak by mouth but by sound.” They sang us a few songs, one which was the national anthem. We then had a chance to talk to Ron, the guru in the mountain. Ron was a very interesting man who had even more interesting ideals. Ron described capitalism as a growing cancer, which simply expands until it kills its host. I thought it was interesting in that he was alluding to the United States and the wide misdistribution of wealth. Ron spoke of socialism as an ideal, where the people share a voice and care for one another’s needs. While I am not so optimistic of this utopian society I also dream of this world. Where we all sit around a circle and sing koom-biya. Ron was an awesome dude to talk to and I think the world needs more people reflecting his ideals. After our talk to with Ron, we were able to watch community members performed in the historical meme named “Three innocents and a spirit”. We were able to learn about the history of Haiti through the arts. At the end we were asked on what we were going to do now and how we will remember Haiti. At the end of the drama, I was touch and felt that I was taking an ought that I cannot forget what I learned about Haiti’s history. When people talk negatively about Haiti, I hope to challenge them to think in another way and gain a different perceptive. Through that new perspective hopefully they will look at Haiti in a different light.

Throughout the day there were quotes that individuals said that stood out to me:

-“We know it is hard but not impossible”

-“Our country concerns goes beyond our own county”

-“There is something we are looking for…we need this universal conscience”

-“The truth is not found in the textbooks”

-“ We are physically independent but mentally we are still enslaved”

- “I feel lost because I am actually found”

-Melissa and Michael