Hi everyone,
Thank you for joining me again. I’m glad you’re back. How are you? It’s been another insane week, at least in US politics.
Like everyone else, I laughed at the clever memes and remixes of the absurd, racist - and debunked - claims by former President Donald Trump that Haitian immigrants were stealing and eating cats and dogs in the US town of Springfield.
Trump’s comments were so outlandish I was confident we’d move on quickly. Remember when he talked about ‘Sh!hole Countries’? Exactly. And then I woke up to this headline in the New York Times last Saturday (September 14): ‘Donald Trump Jr. Piles On With Racist Comments About Haitians’
I remember thinking, "What has Don Jr. said this time?" So, I read on. The usual eye-rolling continued until I got to this part, where the younger Trump told a conservative news outlet:
“You look at Haiti, you look at the demographic makeup, you look at the average I.Q. — if you import the third world into your country, you’re going to become the third world.”
“The Demographic”: That would be Black people.
“The Average IQ”: Well, we’re all sub-par in his eyes.
I was hurt, horrified, and angered by Trump’s words. I was furious at the feeble news analysis. All I could do was repeat the words to my husband. He, too, couldn’t find the words.
That’s when I knew what I had to do.
I had initially planned to play my conversation with Shaznay Martin with you this week. Instead, I will share my conversation with Fritznel D. Octave of ‘The Haiti Times.’ Apologies to Shaznay, and I promise the wait will be worth it.
I felt duty-bound to run Mr. Octave’s episode, because my north star is to challenge old narratives about global Black communities. I did it as a reporter and showrunner by finding under-reported news stories. Today, I do it by amplifying the people who are asking us to think differently in the creative and media spaces.
Fritznel’s mission is to fill in the gaps in our knowledge about his country. Gaps that have negatively impacted the nation time and again. He has personal and professional reasons you’ll discover when you listen to our interview. He tells a story of bravery and purpose.
Listen to the interview - and don’t forget to tell your friends to join our community.
This week’s episode:
Reclaiming Haiti's Narrative: Grassroots Journalism and the Power of Podcasting
What happens when harmful stereotypes and misinformation shape public perception? In this episode, Christabel is joined by Fritznel D. Octave, a dedicated journalist whose mission is to rewrite Haiti's narrative with empowering and rigorously reported stories. He does this as the Haiti Editor at ‘The Haitian Times, through the podcast "1804 Renaissance," and as an author.
Fritznel, whose latest book is called ‘Haiti Between Pestilence and Hope,” shares his journey of becoming a journalist and his commitment to countering incomplete depictions of his homeland by emphasizing the importance of accurate representation in the media.
Reflecting on his early career with an alternative newspaper in Haiti during the mid-1990s, he shares the challenges and triumphs of amplifying the voices of the voiceless. From uncovering stories of everyday struggles to receiving support from local communities, his experience highlights the significant impact of solution-oriented reporting.
This episode also delves into the intersection of traditional journalism and podcasting, exploring how fundamental skills translate into engaging audio content. Fritznel and Christabel share insights on building a loyal listener base among the Haitian diaspora and the importance of showcasing authentic Haitian stories and culture. Highlighting the notion that "Every Haitian is Haiti," we emphasize the resilience and pride that define the true spirit of the Haitian community. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the power of media to shape and redefine narratives.
Connect with Fritznel:
IG: @fmnkoctave
X: @foctave1
Facebook: Foctave
LinkedIn: @fritzneloctave
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Connect with Christabel:
IG: @christabelnsiahbuadi
Website: www.nsiahbuadi.com
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