🇫🇷 Bonne année ! Je vous souhaite le meilleur et espère que 2023 sera à la hauteur de vos attentes 🥳 • 🇬🇧 Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best and hope 2023 will live up to your expectations 🥳 • #guadeloupe #plagedelacaravelle #coconut #guadeloupe #gwada #guadeloupeislands #frenchcaribbean #beach #happynewyear #constructionmaison #teamconstruction #interior4all #decorationinterieur #homedesign #decorar #decoracão #decoracioninteriores #interior4u #interiorstyles (à Plage De La Caravelle) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm3fwi_M-IJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
What Haiti's past tells us about the meaning of Resistance & “Revolution”
One of the realities of American education (public or private) is that the already abbreviated history of Black people in the United States is completely non-intersectional and without recognition of the larger international African diaspora with respect to (1) Black liberation or (2) American and New-world European colonial history. For instance, it is not commonly recognized that proportionally-most Black people from Africa who arrived in the “New World” due to the Atlantic Slave Trade did not live in North America but in the Caribbean, South and Central America. That is to say, if you were enslaved (or newly freed) outside of Africa at any point from the 16th through late 19th century outside of Africa, you would’ve had a one in three (or four) chance of living in the United States. Ask your average Black person on the street about this and it’s news. Ask your average non-Black person on the street about this and it’s even more surprising news. And why wouldn’t it be? Due to highly racialized educational systems, steadfast commitment to Black marginalization, indifference and/or Black & indigenous marginalization, most Americans who don’t actively seek this information have very limited knowledge about critical historical events. The American Revolution and details are reduced to incoherent romanticized narratives about English tea and “tyranny”. The Civil War is also vague and obtuse in its descriptions of Southern animus and economics. “Reconstruction” is a word that, admittedly, I did not learn (or had forgotten about) until an adult...and as a young person I fancied myself more knowledgeable than most about Black History through extra-curricular history lessons, elders, activities and educated parents. Even I was unaware of the sequence of Black history, resistance and triumph on critical historical events in Black American history.
Fast forward to the 2016 Presidential Election, the word “Revolution” and phrase “We need a Revolution!” was flagrantly thrown around and abused in public discourse by young (and older) people who undoubtedly grew up with the same biased and negligent public educational system I had grown up with and (in many cases) profoundly less extra-curricular historical exposure and education. As a culture, we would then start to see real gains in the #BLM movement and the zeitgeist towards radical change and structural reforms from race to finance and public safety. I was quite happy to participate in the resurgence of a resistance movement, especially one centering itself around issues of Black liberation. It’s what I’ve been around most of my life. What I wasn’t comfortable with however, was the use of the term “revolution” to describe it. At least not by White people (there’s a reason for that) and/or by younger people (of any color/ethnicity) who also undoubtedly had been steeped in the vapid romanticism of ‘revolutionary’ history taught to us by our primary and secondary US educational indoctrinations.
I have been in formal activism and education personally 30+ years now. Make no mistake, I absolutely support of “change” in our society, particularly towards social justice and Black liberation. And I have no wish to exclude White people or any other ethnicity from being enthusiastic activists or communicators of social/economic/political justice. That’s not my point. What my case is however, is that I’ve always been uncomfortable with the careless use of the term “revolution” in our national political conversations about race, justice, history and radical change. Particularly if that term is being appropriated for something other than racial equality of Black or indigenous people in this country. Historically, “revolution” has been inextricably tied to some aspect of Black resistance in the new world. To update the term in a way that erases or obfuscates deep racial inequities makes me uncomfortable in its lack of this historical context. Aside from that appropriative term however, the use of the sub-category or phraseology “radical change” in connection with “revolution” is problematic for its own reasons; ‘radical change’ and ‘radical ideas’ have become erroneously conflated terms in this way. Historically speaking, radical ideas have always endured much longer than the actual moment of revolution and change itself. In my lifetime there have been a number of “radical” changes; cigarette use and public smoking, seatbelts, recycling, eco fuels, Black people being on television and not talking “jive”, Gay/Bi and Trans people simply existing while not living a sad, diseased-ridden and isolated life, smoking weed and pre-existing conditions in health care are all things which were massive structural changes in society that took lifetimes to negotiate, deconstruct and implement. The idea came way before the actual change. And every one of those ideas were not radically “changed” in any one moment or by any one person. Instead those changes represented a patchwork of efforts by nameless, thankless individuals, organizations and multiple leaders whose work at times overlapped in various ways. Many of whom died or had to leave their advocacy before their desired change could be realized. Simply saying “radical change” and/or conflating change with charismatic leaders, “revolution” and politicians without acknowledging radical ideas, radical people (plural) and radical efforts over long stretches of time is a betrayal of history, the people working to change and correct it and those who have worked to correct it, for our sake.
On this day, January 1st, 2021, the 217th anniversary of the dissolution of Saint Domingue and the beginning of Haiti (Áyitì), the very first ever Black republic in the European/Western colonial world, named in honor of-and deference to-the indigenous Arawak/Taino “Indians” of the Caribbean, the process of what change really looks like is as profound as it ever was. Most of us have not studied this history in any appreciable detail-Black people included. Many might be surprised to know that Haitians came to Philadelphia, Charleston (S.C.) and New Orleans as a direct result of what happened in the late 18th and early 19th century and that there are Black and White Americans living there right now with traceable ancestry to this Caribbean island and the revolution that occurred there (until earlier this year I wouldn’t have known that either). Despite what Kanye West said, Black people did not ‘choose’ inferiority, slavery and colonial oppression. In fact, they resisted it and plotted revolution from the moment they boarded ships in West Africa. Especially in places like Haiti where many of the Africans arriving were literally soldiers, prisoners of wars and being replenished every 5-7 years because of the high death and production rates. There were hundreds of rebellions and revolts of enslaved Africans in the New world during the Atlantic Slave Trade; Haiti’s is just one of many. But Haiti’s is the largest, sustained revolt, with the most cultural, political and economic implications for its White, Black/African & African descended people -and- as people living in a “new” world trying to reconcile what it means to live together in a land post-slavery, post-European colonialism. To this day its people are a living testament to how difficult that work of Anti-Black resistance is in a global economy built around the presumption and instance of Black inferiority. The “project” of this revolution is yet unfinished.
Therefore in 2021, anyone studying, protesting, manifesting and politically agitating against our current socio-economic-political structures in America needs to study the Haitian Revolution in as much detail as possible. It is one of the biggest examples of how intricate, dynamic, long-suffering and difficult it is to actually perform “radical change”. During the pandemic I began (re) introducing myself to this subject by reading books, watching documentaries and listening to lectures outlining the layers of narrative involved in what would be come the Haitian Revolution; Macandal, the three “Commissions”, the Tricolor Commission, “Declaration of the Rights of Man”, the determinative links of the French Revolution, “Code Noir”, André Rigoud, British blockades, Spanish regiments, the “Coloureds”, returns to the plantations for Africans only, not “Blacks”(e.g. caste systems), trade embargos, Toussaint, Dessalines, etc....all confirming what was already apparent: change is hard, long and often takes generations.
If you are currently fighting for something, or against it, know that not one person or one act can or will likely “radically” change the reality. A “revolution” is a term not to be used lightly. When we de-romanticize it and “dig” into it we can begin to see more clearly how ugly and non-inevitable it’s results truly are. History tells us so-and we can learn from this history in a way that informs our present-day activism and fight towards justice of any kind, for any person, any ethnicity. Commit yourself and learn from those who have done it before you and recognize that the past will always be relevant to the present in resistance and change.
Below are some great resources start to learning more on the Haitian Revolution👇🏿:
“Revolutions” (Apple Podcast, a immensely detailed lecture series!)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/revolutions/id703889772?i=1000358493623
PBS, “The Black Messiah: Macandal”
https://youtu.be/cHIEYx2_C9Q
“Haiti and the Atlantic World Reborn (New York Historical Society)”
https://youtu.be/dpbLMkAJFtE
“Noam Chomsky, Modern-Historical Political Commentary”
https://youtu.be/e1JWr03P9W8
“Haiti Journal, 100th Anniversary of US Occupation”
https://youtu.be/pILrdFJ683M
Happy New Year, Happy Haitian Independence Day and most importantly, Happy learning!!! 🤩🥂
As a French person there are a lot of different things in English that I find particularly difficult to pronounce, like the [i:] and [i] sounds, ex: sheep/ship; bitch/beach, feel/fill…
I find it interesting that the pronunciation of the same vowel could change the entire sense of a word. So here’s my take on some misunderstandings between a native and a non-native speaker.
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x French!Black!Y/N (from Martinique, one of the French Caribbean Islands.)
Tags: Verbal teasing, blood (accidental).
Words: 758
DO NOT PLAY THE KNIFE GAME WITH ANYTHIG SHARP! I know for some people it’s common sense...but alas not for everyone else.
She turned around and looked anxiously toward Bucky, who was playing the knife game, eyes closed. She glanced back at Sam who thumbed up with a huge smile. Reassured, she confidently walked to Bucky. She repeated silently what she wanted to ask him. She was afraid she’d say them wrong or that she’d forget them.
She wiped her sweaty palms on her dress and focused on him.
After all these years learning English, she still had some trouble understanding or remembering common expressions. It wasn’t really fair that Bucky was a polyglot and could understand AND talk perfectly French.
Well…she wasn’t being fair. Bucky hadn’t really learnt all of these languages willingly.
She sighed and redirected her thoughts. She was a woman on a mission. She couldn’t let these thoughts ruin the mood.
Eyes still closed, he greeted her with a small smile. “Hey, Baby girl.”
She opened her mouth to greet him back, instead she blurted out. “I want you to fill me up.”
The rhythmic tap on the wooden table stopped. The knife was deeply planted into his hand. She surged forward but was stopped by Bucky.
“Don’t worry, baby girl. It’s just a little stab,” he said, not even wincing when he took the knife out.
What the hell, she mouthed to herself. There was little to no blood on his hand. Yet, a small drop trickled down his hand. She wiped it off softly. Bucky grabbed her wrist making her froze. He turned her hand palm up and kissed her sensitive skin.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Maybe I’m a vampire,” she retorted cheekily.
Bucky stared at her a few seconds without talking.
“What?” she asked, wary.
He shook his head and motioned her to sit on his lap. She obliged happily. There was no place she’d feel safe. He wrapped his right arm around her waist and dragged her closer.
“So about earlier, I may not have heard correctly. What was that about?”
“I want you to…feel…fill me up,” she said, unsure.
Bucky glanced behind her and sighed. “Was that Sam? Did he put you up to that?”
She frowned. “Why would Sam…what did I say?”
Bucky opened his mouth then closed it in a click. She nudged his shoulder.
“Tell me. Was that an insult?” She urged him, already feeling embarrassed.
Bucky seemed to argue with himself for a couple of seconds, then sighed.
“First, can you repeat what you said? Just to be sure.”
She bit her lips. Now she knew that she had said something wrong she was now reluctant to repeat it. Bucky raised an eyebrow.
“I want you to feel me up.”
Bucky tsked. “That wasn’t what you said.”
She frowned not sure to understand. “Fill…feel?”
“Ok. And do you know what both means?”
“I want you to fuck me or I want you to sexually touch me,” she retorted.
Bucky suddenly coughed. She almost fell from his lap and only prevented that by catching herself on the table.
“Are you okay?”
Bucky’s face was crimson red. He coughed a few more times, staring at her with wide eyes.
“You want me to what?” He muttered with a hoarse voice.
She rolled her eyes, annoyed. She cupped his face with her hands and stared into her eyes.
“I. Want. You. To. Fuck. Me,” she repeated slowly.
Bucky’s eyes went to her lips, then eyes. He looked around before standing up, holding her tightly. He gingerly made his way to the elevator. She was about to ask him why he was walking so strangely when she felt his hardening cock against her.
Oh.
She bit back her laugh and decided to tease him more. She leaned and nibble the base of his neck, enjoying soft tendon tensing under her tongue.
“Bébé, je veux pas jouir avant de t’avoir bien baisé,” he groaned as she licked his jaw.
“T’as qu’à aller plus vite alors… “ she whispered.
Translation
« Baby, I don’t want to cum before even fucking you.”
Welcome to St. Martin #CoolestCarib #Caribbean. Posted by @yellowguavaberry ・・・ Amazing #mozaic art @ L'Esplanade #hotel @esplanadesxm #GrandCase #StMartin #FrenchCaribbean Perfect view to enjoy the #WEEKEND #islandlife #landscape #beach #plage #seasunsand #TRAVEL ... www.CoolestCarib.com
Trou de madame coco • 🇫🇷 Selon la légende, Man Coco serait une sorcière ayant fait un pacte avec le Diable pour devenir plus forte que sa rivale Madame Grands-Fonds. N'ayant pas respecté ce pacte, elle se rendit en mer et le Diable l'emporta au lieu-dit « Tou a Man Coco ». Qui nous a vu sur la photo/vidéo ? 😄 • 🇬🇧 According to the legend, Man Coco was a witch who made a pact with the Devil to become stronger than her rival Madame Grands-Fonds. When she failed to keep her promise, she went to the sea and the Devil took her life at the place called "Tou a Man Coco". Who saw us on the photo/video? 😄 • #guadeloupe #caraibes #frenchcaribbean #troudemadamecoco #ansebertrand #gwada #portedenfer #grandeterre #manco #legendemanco #legendeguadeloupe (à Trou de Madame Coco) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnHyqebMEi8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
🇫🇷 Bon réveillon ! Première année où on le passe sur la plage après une journée de rêve à nager avec les tortues, raies, requins citron et autres poissons en tout genre 🐢 Je poste les stories aussi vite que possible dès que le réseau sera coopératif 😄 • 🇬🇧 Happy New Year’s Eve! We’re spending ours on the beach for the first time after a dream day swimming with turtles, stingrays, lemon sharks and other fish of all kinds 🐢 I’ll share the stories as soon as the signal will allow it 😄 • #guadeloupe #gwada #guadeloupeislands #frenchcaribbean #plagedeboisjolan #beach #happynewyear #cartepostale #boisjolan (à Plage de Bois-Jolan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm2OKhCsq_b/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
