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Monique Clesca is the author of two books, both in French: the novel La Confession and Mosaïques, an essay collection about women affected by human rights issues. She holds an MS in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and a BA in philosophy from Howard University. She is also an international development expert, now retired, and has received recognition for her advocacy work in children’s and women’s rights in Africa. A national of Haiti, she lives in Miami and Haiti.

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The Departure

A Memoir Excerpt

by Monique Clesca
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I didn’t pick up a suitcase of my own free will to move to the United States of America fifty years ago. My mother, whom I had not known very well despite having spent most of my life with her, decided that. I resented her greatly for quite a long time for forcing me to leave my country on June 27, 1965.

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