Silence and Resistance: Memoir of a Girlhood in Haiti

On January 12, 2010, a powerful earthquake shook Haiti, killing and injuring thousands. In a few seconds, the author’s identity was torn apart with all the landmarks of her life shattered, sending her into a transformative journey of self-discovery.

Silence and Resistance recounts the author’s upbringing under state-sponsored terror, domestic violence, forced silence, the bewilderment of loss, and generational secrets. It is also a haunting narrative of the author’s profound journey to uncover and reckon with the buried secrets of her family’s past.

Set against the rich backdrop and singular history of Haiti, this poignant tale explores the complexities of love, trauma, and identity through the lens of a father’s dark legacy. When she discovered that her father committed an unspeakable act, the revelation shattered Monique’s understanding of family. Forced to confront the silence that has long shielded the truth, she must navigate the emotional turmoil of betrayal and the weight of inherited pain. She must, too, reconcile her love for a man who was both a nurturing parent and a perpetrator of violence.

Through vivid and expert storytelling and intimate reflections, Silence and Resistance delves into the psychological scars left by familial secrets and the struggle for personal redemption. It is a powerful exploration of the necessity to confront uncomfortable truths, break the chains of silence, and ultimately find healing with one’s own voice and destiny in the embrace of honesty.