“Remembering Jacques Stéphen Alexis: A Centenary Celebration” is an exhibition that commemorates the centennial anniversary of the birth of Jacques Stéphen Alexis (1922–1961), renowned Haitian novelist, essayist, activist, and neurologist born in Gonaïve, Haiti. Alexis’ lineage stretches back to the birth of the nation as a descendent of General Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who was one of the primary leaders of the battle for independence culminating in the establishment of the first Black republic in 1804. Alexis followed in the footsteps of family members who were known for their intellectual and political engagement, as well as their fiery advocacy for the equal flourishing of all the people of their native land regardless of their station in life. He wrote the 1957 essay, “La Belle Amour Humaine,” or “The Beautiful Human Love,” as a New Year’s dedication to all those who strive to rebuild the human heart.

Heureuse année à mon ami l’Homme!

Heureuse année à ceux qui se cherchent et ne se trouvent pas encore.

Heureuse année aussi à ceux qui ont trébuché dans le chemin difficile.

Heureuse année quand même à ceux qui ne croient à rien même pas à eux-mêmes.

Heureuse année, bien sûre, à tous ceux qui souffrent, buttent, espèrent et croient toujours.

Heureuse année à tous mes frères, mes amis, à tous mes compagnons du spirituel qui combattent pour trouver la joie, la paix du cœur et le sentiment du devoir accompli.

Happy new year to my friend Humankind!

Happy new year to seekers of the true self who have not yet encountered themselves.

Happy new year to all those who have stumbled on the difficult path.

Happy new year nevertheless to all those who believe in nothing not even in themselves.

Happy new year, of course, to all those who suffer, fall, hope, and still believe.

Happy new year to all my brothers, my friends, to all my spiritual companions who fight to find joy, peace of heart and the sentiment of accomplished duty.

Jacques Stéphen Alexis’ life and literary works were intimately bound to freedom and to the struggles of the working class. In 1946 he led a successful student strike—soon joined by workers, civil servants, and businesses—against the government of then Haitian president, Elie Lescot.

Alexis wrote four novels, “Compère Général Soleil” / “General Sun, My Brother” (1955), “Les arbres musiciens” / “The Musician Trees” (1957), “L’Espace d’un cillement” / “In the Flicker of an Eyelid” (1959), and “Romancero aux étoiles” / “The Romance With Stars” (1960). Throughout these, a rich set of characters incarnate the political and social struggles of land expropriation of farmers producing food crops, the indifference and failures of the national elites and foreign occupation, and the perilous migration to other countries. The literary pieces are anchored in the reality of the common people striving for agency over their own lives.

The works on display are a testimony not only to the linguistic genius of Jacques Stéphen Alexis, but also to his profound understanding of the complexities of human nature and the experiences of marginalized people.

“Lumières Noires”
Bob Swaim
2006

In September 1956 at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, the First Congress of Black Writers and Artists was held for three days. Aimé Césaire, Alioune Diop, Léopold Sédar Senghor, Richard Wright, and Frantz Fanon notably rubbed shoulders with Jean-Paul Sartre, Claude Lévi-Strauss, René Depestre, Édouard Glissant, and James Baldwin.

In this documentary, American director Bob Swaim looks back on the circumstances of holding the conference and explains why the powers of the time did everything they could to disrupt it, denigrate its conclusions, and stifle its impact.