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PROFILES

Louis Elneus
Founder of HLD

Richard Jeanty
Author & Entrepreneur

Leslie Demangles
Author & College Professor

Danielle Legros-George
Haitian Poet & Autor

Margaret Papillon
Haitian Author

Myrtelle Cherry
Haitian Artist & Painter

Carole B. Joseph
Mass Bay Community College President

Gashford Guillaume
Mozayik Drummer

Pascale Auguste
Haitian Association Against Cancer

Andy Jacques
Haitian Fashion Designer

Phillip J. Brutus
State Representative

Yvecar Momperousse
Haitian Student Alliance

The Maroons
Haitian Writers & Poets

Evans Thesee
Founder HaitianConnection.com

Abdias Charles
Founder of Repair Haiti.org

Mecca AKA Grimo
Haitian Hip Hop Artist & Activist

Fania Simon
Writer, Lecturer & Activist

Nadege Fleurimond
Owner of Fleurimond Catering

Interview: Fania Simon

Fania Simon, a writer, lecturer, and an activist, was born and raised in Haiti until the age of nine. She's the author of Sofi's Load and Poetry in Haiti. She moved to New Jersey in the early 1980's when her parents sent her to live with a very influential African American Baptist Preacher. The move shocked young Fania on many different levels but the cultural shock made it all seem unbearable. "It seemed like, one minute I was in Haiti and the next minute I was in New Jersey. I was dwelling or hiding among strangers. We looked alike but we did not speak the same language," she added.

Her foster parents and her real father, an influential Bishop, met while visiting Haiti as a missionary. From that point on they became friends and would visit each other every time one of them was visiting either Haiti or the States. Initially, they were not the ones whom Fania was supposed to live with, but the white couple (Missionary) from Ohio, whom she was going to live with, changed their mind at the last minute. However, as arranged, Fania left Haiti and continued on with what would later become a very tumultuous journey.

Blake Seide: Fania, tell us, what was your childhood like?

Fania Simon: Fania Simon: Well, I did not have an enjoyable childhood. I don't have many pleasant memories to chare. However, there were very few pleasurable things that happened that still make me crave the flavor of a "normal childhood." For example: I used to play soccer with my older brother and his friends. I used to build mud houses and climb trees. I used to make kites and fly them in the wind.

BS: Let's talk about your foster parents, how receptive were they when you first moved into their home?

FS: At the beginning my foster family was extremely nice to me. They were happy to have me in their home. For many other reasons, they felt proud to have me there (Explanation in upcoming book Sofi's Load 2 )

BS: Do you think they pre-judged you?

FS: Yes. I think my foster parents pre-judged me because they assumed that I needed their help only because " Haiti is a poor country" and that they were doing my father a favor by allowing me into their home to get some "good American education." but that was far from my situation. My foster parents had no clue why God sent me to them. Well, I gave them that answer 20 years later. I respectfully delivered my book, Sofi's Load to their door. I lived in their home for years but they did not know I was carrying such a heavy load.

BS: Do you stay in contact with your foster parents?

FS: My foster mother called and asked to see me before they retired to the South. I met with them. It was a pleasant meeting. I was happy to see them.

BS: What is your Educational background?

FS: My education is infinite. I am constantly in school.from elementary in Haiti and in New Jersey to High school in Hillside, New Jersey to College in New York , but my true "instruction" come from the school of LIFE . Life is the institution where I get what I merit.

BS: What long and winding road led you to your current position?

FS: The long winding road that led me to my current position is "The Road of Life." [Thinking] Yes. That is the best way I can describe it: Sometimes I turn back the clock (in my mind) to my "yester-years" and I begin to count the rocky roads I've traveled... I smile as I gather my memory stones.

Here's a sketch.
[Thinking]
Like the time I craved my parents love
Like the time I begged for my sister's smile
Like the time he violently danced on me
Like the time I became a zombie
Like the time I was mute
Like the time I died.

Like the time I crossed the ocean
Like the time I dwelled among strangers
Like the time they called me "Alien"
Like the time they jumped me

Like the time I met the rotten apple
Like the time the bullet met my flesh
Like the time I tried suicide
Like the time I met death in front of that train
Like the time the car in the snow boxed me
Like the time racism took my job

Like the time I slept hungry
Like the time I woke up hungry
Like the time they promised to feed me
Like the time they planned to used me
Like the time my throat was thirsty
Like the time my spirit got weary
Like the time I was alone and lonely
Like the time my Christian landlord got nasty
Like the time I became homeless and dirty

Like the time my new cousin appeared
Like the time my new cousin stabbed me
Like the time she left with my money
Like the time she stained my name
Like the time they thought they won
Like the time she took my picture
Like the time she gave it to Mr. Hougan
Like the time they tried to trap me
Like the time Mr. Hougan apologized to me

Like the time I identifies my fake friends
Like the time I wrote that drowning song
Like the time their paycheck bounced
Like the time they called me their concubine
Like the time they feted and never invited me
Like the time they gathered against me
Like the time I stood alone
Like the time I believed their lies
Like the time I had doubts
Like the time I thought they would win

Like the time I met black discrimination
Like the time teachers turned their back
Like the time they laughed at my birthright
Like the time that institution refused to uplift me
Like the time I veiled my pride
Like the time he confessed not to love me
Like the time he disappeared Like
Like the time they cried a river
Like the time I died

Like the time I met E.T
Like the time I hoped he would save me
Like the time it rained inside of me
Like the time I died

As I analyze my traveling life
I remember meeting disappointment and strife
Like a dead person, I was trapped under earth's own steam
In Darkness, I was dwelling

but there was something else
Something mystical and selfless
It cheered me on
And I pressed on
And I pressed on
I ironed the wrinkles of my life
And I pressed on
Until
I was resurrected

And now I am happy
Happy and free
For
"Whomever He sets free
is Free INDEED!"

This is the road that led me here

Continue with Fania's interview...