Aristide: An AutobiographyFebruary 7,1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a parish priest, is sworn in as Haiti's first democratically elected president. For the first time, Haiti, with its land and people ravaged by human corruption, looks toward the future with hope. September 30,1991: a military junta ousts Aristide from office, bringing his brief rule to an end. As spokesperson of a rapidly burgeoning grassroots movement, he had refused to compromise, calling for a "clean slate, " a new beginning for Haiti. The New York Times has called him the "Pied-Piper-like leader of Haiti's liberation theology movement." No public figure in recent history has been the embodiment of so much hope, and so much political drama. In this riveting memoir, Aristide recounts the story of his life, from his early education at the home of his grandfather through his formal training as priest, scripture scholar, and psychologist. His goals, first as priest and then as president: that all Haitians be treated justly as God's people, that all have food and shelter, and that all take pride in their own Creole language and culture. Though his story is far from over, as The Village Voice has said, "The priest who became a politician to make heaven on earth a reality is now a president in exile left much where he started, with only his faith to guide him." |
Contents
A People That Does Not Give | 3 |
The Election Drum | 9 |
Those Who Eat Once Sometimes | 147 |
Copyright | |
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accused American army assassination Avril Bishop bourgeoisie candidacy candidate Catholic Cédras celebration certainly church commandment of democracy corruption coup d'état Creole death December 16 dechoukaj demand democratic dictatorship dignity dollars Dominican Republic Duvalierism economic elections electoral Ertha exile exploitation faith Father Aristide feeling force François Duvalier French friends Haiti Haitian hand hierarchy hope human rights Jean Bosco Jean-Bertrand Aristide Jean-Claude Duvalier justice Lafontant Lavalas leaders Les Cayes liberation liberation theology Ligondé live Macoutes mafia Maggie Steber massacre militant military moun movement Namphy nation never nonviolence oppression organizations Paolo Romeo peasants pèp Pétionville political poor popular Port-au-Prince Port-Salut president priest radio Radio Soleil regime remain resistance response revolution Salesians share social soldiers solidarity sometimes speak struggle tèt Tèt ansanm theology things thousand tion Titid Tontons Macoute victims violence young