A Boat A Voyage: A Haitian Refugee Story

Wilkine Brutus
  • 4.9 (16)
  • Society & Culture

A Boat A Voyage, by award-winning journalist Wilkine Brutus, is a 5-episode podcast that delves into his Haitian mother’s refugee story from the 1980s, spanning Miami, Haiti, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. While living as an expat in South Korea, Brutus uncovers her journey and reflects on his own experience as a first-generation Haitian-American. The podcast reveals the emotional weight of leaving her homeland, becoming a U.S. citizen, and captures the complexities of human migration and identity, offering a nuanced—and even humorous—perspective on the refugee experience. Maps and Diaries, LLC

Episodes

  1. 03/30/2025

    Child of the Sea - Haiti to Cuba

    In episode 1 of A Boat A Voyage: A Haitian Refugee Story, created by award-winning journalist Wilkine Brutus, is a 5-episode podcast that delves into his Haitian mother’s refugee story from the1980s, spanning Haiti, Miami, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. While living as an expat in South Korea, Brutus uncovers her journey and reflects on his own experience as a first-generation Haitian-American. This intimate podcast reveals the emotional weight of leaving her homeland and captures the complexities of human migration, family, and identity, offering a nuanced—and even humorous—perspective on the refugee experience. Originally published May 3, 2018 Maps and Diaries, LLC (copyright)

  2. 05/04/2018

    African DNA & Haitian Identity

    In episode 5, the final episode, Wilkine Brutus and Paulette Francois explore fragmented Black and African history, African DNA, Haiti's landmarks, and the influence of the Arawak/Taino indigenous people. Haitian Saying: Bye kou bliye, pote mak sonje (He who strikes the blow forgets; he who bears the scars remembers) Maps and Diaries, LLC

    African DNA & Haitian Identity

  3. 05/04/2018

    Haiti in South Korea

    In episode 4, Paulette Francois was determined to spend Christmas with her son Wilkine Brutus, in Busan, South Korea. During her stay, she explored Buddhist temples, tried different foods, and made new friends, including a Russian and a Honduran immigrant. Haitian Saying: Pitit tig se tig: A tiger's cub is still a tiger Maps and Diaries, LLC

    Haiti in South Korea

  4. 05/04/2018

    "African Booty Scratcher"

    In episode 3, Paulette Francois explained how she positively dealt with inter-ethnic conflict, brought her four kids to Haiti on a family trip, and shared her thoughts on class differences and homeownership. Haitian Saying: Sonje lapli ki leve mayi ou. (Remember the rain that made your corn grow) Maps and Diaries, LLC

    "African Booty Scratcher"

  5. 05/04/2018

    Refugee Asthma Attacks in Puerto Rico

    In Episode 2, Paulette Francois discussed her asthma attacks at the refugee camp in Puerto Rico, described what the "wet foot, dry foot policy" meant to her as a 16-year-old, and explained how she avoided the perils of depression. Haitian Saying: "map degaje mwen ton kon met jean jacques" ("I will handle my self like Jean-Jacques Dessalines") Maps and Diaries, LLC

    Refugee Asthma Attacks in Puerto Rico
  • 5 Episodes

4.9
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

A Boat A Voyage, by award-winning journalist Wilkine Brutus, is a 5-episode podcast that delves into his Haitian mother’s refugee story from the 1980s, spanning Miami, Haiti, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. While living as an expat in South Korea, Brutus uncovers her journey and reflects on his own experience as a first-generation Haitian-American. The podcast reveals the emotional weight of leaving her homeland, becoming a U.S. citizen, and captures the complexities of human migration and identity, offering a nuanced—and even humorous—perspective on the refugee experience. Maps and Diaries, LLC

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