Rethinking Haiti, Colonialism, and Freedom with Samoa Blanchet

If you live in the US and pay even a little attention to the news, you’ll know that Haiti and its people have been in the news a lot in recent months. And unfortunately, none of it’s been good.

From the devastating 2010 earthquake, up to 2021’s presidential assassination and horrific violence faced by Haitian refugees at the US border following another earthquake in August, it may seem like Haiti is in constant strife and turmoil.

As a follow-up to the last episode about immigration, migration and national identity, I invited one of my very favorite people, Samoa Blanchet, to talk about what her home country of Haiti is really like, and for a discussion of how we form perceptions, how they endure, and how we might change them.

Samoa Blanchet is an Acceleration Specialist at The Powerhouse's Playground. She's committed to building a world full of magic and play where the possibilities are endless. She plays her role by actively challenging our perspectives of how things are and most importantly, how WE are.

In This Episode:

• How a white Western default influences how we view poverty in everything from infrastructure to housing styles
• How colonialism informs national identity and reinforces power imbalances in Haiti
• Why the Haitian concept of freedom differs from the perception of freedom in the US
• What we can learn from the Haitian Revolution about tearing down oppressive systems

Learn More about Samoa Blanchet:

• Powerhouse's Playground
• Connect on LinkedIn

Learn More About Phyllis Wilson:

• Work With Phyllis
• Instagram: @Alright_Podcast