Gabfest Reads | A Former Haitian President’s Grandson Lives the Modern Immigrant Experience

Emily Bazelon talks with author Rich Benjamin (richbenjamin.com/about-rich) about his new book, Talk to Me: Lessons From a Family Forged by History (penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714287/talk-to-me…). They delve into Rich’s complex family history— particularly the experiences of his grandfather, Daniel Fignolé. Fignolé was the president of Hatti in 1957 before being ousted by a coup that involved American influence. Rich and Emily discuss how the political upheaval had a lasting impact on Rich and his family, the immigrant experience of “internalizing America” and the lasting scars of trauma.

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Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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