Following two female perspectives during the Haitian revolution that have been overlooked by history. One perspective follows Gran Toya born and raised in West Africa who was sold and betrayed into the Slave trade. A minos warrior whose legacy forged and shifted the Haiti revolution. The second perspective is of Marie-Claire who is part of the complicated population of free women of colour in Haiti. Living in conflict of a privileged social position but not fully accepted. Creating the space for her to be justice-led and influencing the Haitian revolution. This story follows how these two women work together against the odds to change Haiti forever and redefine revolution history/narrative.
Through this story Riley has shown how women have made a difference even when society tells them it is impossible and not to. The different ways women use their resources and societal position to create change and survive. Gran Toya authority and knowledge gave her the position to drive change and create opportunities for others. Marie-Claire may seem to be more self-centred in her efforts but the open-hearted effort of feeding and healing all peoples.
This quote below gives a taste of what Vanessa Riley brings to this story. The tougher conversations about race with white members of family (Adelaide is her step-father’s sister) and exploring the boundaries of privilege. This also summarizes Marie-Claire perspective who sees her privilege, and the restrictions of being a free brown person. This is paired with being loving and open-hearted within her societal limitations.
“My shoes are dark like yours. But I walk out of these rooms in my Black face, and I have to prove I’m for peace. You just leave. We’re not the same. Our journeys will never be the same” “You’ve not suffered more than me” [Adelaide says] “Non. I haven’t. And I never been chattel, though by face says I could be. You were rescued. Your abusers have faced death. Those who’ve hurt my family never will. There are hundreds of other things you and Pierre can have and experience, of which I might never be able to partake” Holding out my olive hand, my Black fingers, I hope she takes the invitation. “But I still love you” 285 page
This novel also shows the shadow the Haitian revolution is under as a significant moment in human history like the American and French revolutions. It is arguable to be more significant as the uprising was from a position of ‘unhuman’ subjects in the colonial world. The idea of a revolution was ground breaking, and the action and legacy of this revolution is radical.
The two perspectives was insightful in seeing two women of colour adapt around their societal positions to survive and make a change. I did not know the political background to the Haitian revolution of different European nations backing the revolution, and that changing when it best suits them. It was insightful to see how the revolutionaries were organised as a army with a uniform and had meeting among their commanders. It was informative to get to know Haiti before it was ‘officially’ Haiti.
I have been aware of the lack of significance the Haitian revolution holds for some historians. This story reconfirms the significance of the Haitian revolution for the Caribbean and the world. This story fills in the type of influence that flowed into the Caribbean once the Haitian revolution was finished. After the revolution it inspired and travelled into the Caribbean enslaved population to create change in their own lives.
A running theme of Caribbean literature I have found so far is the inclusion of medicine/witchy/healers characters that are important to the story and community. This correlates with my own personal research about Obeah women & men in St Kitts and Barbados. The key role they play in the enslaved population, I argue to be undermined by historians, is supported when looking at the time of enslavement and ‘post’ enslavement in Caribbean literature. Caribbean literature has shown me that healer figures are key to the community in various ways across most Caribbean islands not just St Kitts and Barbados. This book specifically has many mentions of healer figures and poison as a way of survival under enslavement and colonial society. A way to take back control and using death as a form of resistance against their oppressors. Finish here with a quote that summaries the ground-roots of the enslaved resistance to slavery and colonisation.
“Yes, some women and men grew tired of the abuse. Many were raped, had babies, and weren’t freed. They turned to marron priests and people who knew herbs to make poisons. Some tainted the waters or served bad food to their masters and family” 192 page
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