America's relationship with Haiti has always been very complicated. I often say to people, "Before we came to America, America came to us in the form of the American occupation from 1915 to 1934."

The people did not elect me. I speak with one voice that may echo other people, but I am part of a group of people. That's not distancing yourself from a community, that's also allowing the space for others to speak for themselves.

I think it's hard for an outsider to capture the flavor of a community and all its nuances, so ultimately Haitian-Americans need to start sharing intimate accounts of their stories.

To be able to create you have to have peace of mind on some level.

Here, though, there is nothing. Nothing at all. The sky seems empty even when I am looking at the moon and stars.

No one will love you more than you love your pain.

People think that there is a country there that these people are only around when they are on CNN. I don't think that's limited to Haiti.