Dyaspora By Donne Hyppolite

As the perspicacious Pierre Berton once said, “Racism is a refuge for the ignorant. It seeks to divide and to destroy. It is the enemy of freedom, and deserves to be met head-on and stamped out.” Joanne Hyppolite, the author of the story “Dyaspora,” faces racism first-hand as she grows up Haitian American. Using second-person point of view, she encourages the reader to put themselves in the author’s shoes. Consequently, the author’s repetitive use of the word “you” helps the reader to assimilate the idea that the author is trying to pertain. Moreover, the author includes sensory language in her essay, which allows the reader to imagine the native foods and cultures that Hyppolite mentions. The author’s use of stylistic elements ameliorates the reader’s ability to comprehend what it was like growing up with racism.
When using this perspective, the author is allowing the reader to step into her shoes and empathize towards the Haitian Americans. Additionally, using this perspective stimulates the reader to imagine themselves living her life, and experiencing the tragedies that she did. Nevertheless, the author’s choice of perspective is part of what made this story so metamorphic. The repetitive use of the word “you” bolsters the reader to step into Hyppolite’s shoes. When imagining having to live a life like her’s, the reader’s empathy towards immigrants in the U.S. increases immeasurably. Hyppolite’s repetitive use of the word “you” also emboldens the reader to really pause and wonder how unusual life would be if they had to grow up being different. It makes the reader ask themselves the question, “If I was harassed for being of a different culture, how would I