[Lakou Series - Ep #63] Restavek: Unraveling the Untold Stories of Haitian Child Slavery. A Conversation w/ Guilaine Brutus

I'm thrilled to bring you another episode from our Lakou series, delving into the rich tapestry of Haitian culture living in the diaspora and in Haiti. Today, we have a very special guest joining us all the way from London, Guilaine Brutus, who is an integral part of the Haitian community there.

In this episode, we explored a taboo topic in Haitian culture - the practice of Restavek, and child slavery. I'm not going to sugarcoat the practice by calling it child servitude. When people work for free, it's slavery. Period. Full stop.

Guilaine shared her mother's personal experience as a Restavek in Haiti and in the Turks & Cacos. Listen to how Guilaine's mom and family coped with the hardships and sacrifices of being a Restavek.

We examined the role of women in Haitian society, discussed the lack of recognition for their contributions and the importance of understanding the trauma individuals may carry with them.

So, get ready for a thought-provoking, emotionally heavy, and insightful conversation as we delve into the world of Restavek and its long-lasting consequences on individuals, families, and Haitian culture.

In the meantime, here are some top 10 questions worth considering as you listen to this episode:

1. How does the experience of being a Restavek shape a person's life and their relationship with their family?

2. What are some possible reasons why the speaker's mother chose to leave two of her children behind when she returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands?

3. How does the theme of sacrifice play a role in the speaker's mother's life and the choices she made for her family?

4. In what ways do cultural differences impact the expression of love and affection within families?

5. How does the speaker challenge societal norms and expectations surrounding women's contributions and recognition in society?

6. What role do ancestral traditions and practices, such as creating altars, play in Haitian culture and the speaker's personal experiences?

7. How does trauma, pain, and unspoken experiences impact the speaker's relationship with the person they are communicating with?

8. How do cultural traumas, like the Restavek system, continue to affect Haitian communities and individuals today?

9. How does education play a role in Haitian society, particularly in the context of the speaker's mother's determination to provide opportunities for her children?

10. In what ways do personal experiences of pain and trauma shape an individual's perspective on life and their ability to overcome adversity?

Let's dive right in!