Two common themes we studied this term are the themes of insiders\/outsiders and media representation. In Dany Laferriere\u2019s The World is Moving Around Me<\/i>, he re-tells his experience of the Haitian earthquake of January 12, 2010. During this experience, Laferriere portrays himself as both an insider and an outsider due to his Haitian-Canadian background. These two statuses allows him to link the gap between the Haitians and readers of his memoir. Indeed, the book\u2019s foreword states how \u201cthis is a story that\u2019s not his to tell\u201d (10), depicting how his status as a Canadian visitor to Haiti makes him an outsider. On the other hand, Laferriere also considers himself an insider since he is part Haitian. His insider status is especially useful as it allows him to speak up for the Haitians against the media\u2019s negative stereotypical frames. One of these frames was how Haiti was a poor and corrupt country. Although he does not object to the country\u2019s poverty, Laferriere claims that not all the people were corrupt, only the country\u2019s ruling class. The rest of the population still kept their dignity, and \u201cwhen the country [was] insulted, they \u2013 not the rich \u2013 [felt] the sting\u201d (75). Indeed, Laferrier uses his insider voice to depict his country\u2019s reactions to people\u2019s negative labels.<\/p>\n
Laferriere further makes use of his \u201cinsider\u201d status to fight against another of the media\u2019s negative frames. It frames Haiti as a cursed country, associating it with voodoo, cannibalism and blood-drinkers. Laferriere states how \u201call some commentator has to do is say the word \u201ccurse\u201d on the airwaves and it spreads like a cancer\u201d (76). Laferriere challenges the notion of Haiti as a cursed country by describing the nation\u2019s energy and dignity in dealing with the Haitian earthquake. He also states that Haiti was the first black republic in the world, and the second to win its independence in the Americas. He describes how black slaves in Haiti had to fight against Napoleon Bonaparte\u2019s army to win their independence, with nothing but \u201ctheir longing for freedom and a senseless kind of bravery\u201d (75). Through will power, they achieved their citizenship. Indeed, by describing his country\u2019s past accomplishments, Laferriere gives readers a new respect for it. He not only portrays negative media representations of Haiti, but also uses his insider status to fight for his people.<\/p>\n
Laferriere, Dany.\u00a0The World is Moving Around Me<\/i>. Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press, 2013. 9-183. Print.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Two common themes we studied this term are the themes of insiders\/outsiders and media representation. In Dany Laferriere\u2019s The World is Moving Around Me, he re-tells his experience of the Haitian earthquake of January 12, 2010. During this experience, Laferriere portrays himself as both an insider and an outsider due to his Haitian-Canadian background. These … Continue reading