I would hate for people to generalize about every Haitian from something that one Haitian did, or a group of Haitians did.

Create dangerously, for people who read dangerously. ... Writing, knowing in part that no matter how trivial your words may seem, someday, somewhere, someone may risk his or her life to read them.

I think Haiti is a place that suffers so much from neglect that people only want to hear about it when it’s at its extreme. And that’s what they end up knowing about it.

It's not easy to start over in a new place,' he said. 'Exile is not for everyone. Someone has to stay behind, to receive the letters and greet family members when they come back.

I'm happy to be part of this chorus of people who are trying to tell more complex stories about Haiti.

Toni Cade Bambara said: “Writing is the way I participate in the struggle.”

I was able to not fold and go in a corner because I had my writing as therapy, but also as my tool for struggle.