In a recent Gabfest Reads conversation, Rich Benjamin discusses his memoir 'Talk to Me' and his journey to Haiti following the catastrophic 2010 earthquake. This trip was motivated by his desire to bear witness to the devastation and to explore his family's history. The earthquake, which claimed 300,000 lives, prompted Benjamin to confront his emotional ties to his mother and understand the historical context of Haiti's suffering. He documented his experiences and sought archival information about his grandfather, illustrating the intersection of personal and global narratives in his journey.
I had developed the emotional intelligence to think about why I had that relationship to my mother. And coincidentally to that personal development and emotional development, an earthquake strikes Haiti.
I started to think about the man who once occupied that palace. I started to think about his dis-remembrance, and so I had to go to Haiti.
I did make two short documentaries while I was there. And then also I went to find out about my grandfather.
I wanted to interview people, I wanted to go to the archives. I wanted to see what I could learn.
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