MANNO CHARLEMAGNE LIVE - RETRO

By Celucien L. Joseph, PhD

Haiti has lost one of its most important human rights advocates, freedom fighters, public intellectuals, and anti-dictator and American empire thinkers in the second half of the 20th century: Emmanuel “Manno” Charlemagne.

Emmanuel Charlemagne (1948-2017), also known as “Manno,” was a political activist and gifted musician who boldly sang about the resilience and hope of the Haitian people in the midst of political tragedy,despair, cultural alienation, and imperial interruptions.

As a young man growing up in Haiti, I learned about America’s hegemony in the world and the danger of the American empire and global capitalism through Manno’s musical lyrics.I learned about the corruption, the abuses, and the false promises of the Haitian government. Manno also taught me about the long suffering and courage of the Haitian people.

Through his lyrics, I became aware of the importance of democracy,justice, the ethics of individual responsibility, the collective mobilization toward human flourishing, and the common good in the Haitian society.