Silence is a double-edged sword in Haiti. It is encouraged in school when it involves disciplinary actions, but it is non-existent when politics comes into play. Academics-wise, in the local schools of the city and countryside, children are often severely punished if and when they aren’t quiet. The education system doesn’t encourage kids to work their voices, but urges them to study, memorize, and pass exams. Students who don’t speak up are considered role models for those who do try to give their opinions and articulate their truths. This culture, developed during childhood, negatively affects those involved in their adulthood. Although these principles of respect have lessened throughout the years, children (and women) used to be chastised in different ways if they spoke out of turn or even looked at an adult in the eye while holding a “conversation." Obedience and silence are well-regarded in Haiti but are often overly obsessed about. This oppressive lifestyle has caused many to age without learning how to debate and communicate with one another.

On the contrary, when it comes to politics, it appears as though peace and silence were never an option. Dating back to the time when Haitians were in slavery, many leaders either used the means of negotiation or violence to show their contempt towards the situation that they experienced. Manifestations have always been a part of the Haitian culture whenever things don’t go how the citizens expected them to. When consulting my mother on this subject, she suggested that once those constrained children grow older, they explode with violence for the unspoken opinions that they could never convey while in school, and turn to bloodshed to express themselves more. Of course, not every person turns out that way, but most inhabitants in the different communities have been part of or experienced these occurrences. These actions have both been the liberation and downfall of the Haitian community — and residents continue to suffer the consequences every day.