THE IRRITATED GENIE BY DR. JACOB CARRUTHERS

​Something about our victories ...
tastes like the sweetness of the sunrise.
​
In "The Irritated Genie" by Dr. Jacob Carruthers, every hue of liberty shines brilliantly from each page. Expect to enjoy an intellectually scrumptious and savory feast. I am drawn to books like these. After getting an overdose of deception and deceit from history classes, it is like a breath of fresh air to read a comprehensive book that shares the glory and grit of gaining independence in Haiti.

​In the introduction, Dr. Carruthers tells us that he first heard about the topic from his 8th grade music teacher. He said he thought it was a "fairy story" of how Blacks destroyed an army and became free "way back in olden days." This story captivated his attention to the point that decades later he wrote about it. This serves as evidence of the empowering nature born out of exploring all aspects of history. What a boost to cultural identity and confidence to know that in the face of the most adverse conditions, we didn't lay down and die. We didn't accept our position. We didn't view ourselves as better off because of enslavement.

Ohh, if my history books read like this one I would've devoured them all. Dr. Carruthers vividly illustrates the oppressive climate that preceded the decimation of European, French, and Spanish troops, much like a painter meticulously crafts a canvas. He describes free Black community strategies along with the uprisings on the plantations as being a complex combination of offensives. He gives an insiders view of the events leading up to war to the point that you may feel like you have a front row seat to all the plans.
The crowning glory of this work is in revealing the prayer uttered in Black creole the night before August 22, 1791. Carruthers seems to stop time to lay out the details in expert storytelling griot fashion. I was glued to my seat in reading through this part. It felt like a reenactment of "not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse" in my personal space as I read and re-read this part.

Now, may I just insert a little word of caution to those curious enough to pick up a copy; bring the most open and receptive mind you can muster. Try to consider the heart and soul of what freedom is and what it requires. It is the main character in this story.

I was so pleased to find two speeches by Jean Jacques Dessaline in the appendix. The one called, "Proclamation for a solemn abjuration of the French Nation" says, "We have dared to be free - let us continue free by ourselves." There is such profundity and simplicity in these words.
Ohhh, I do hope you follow your curiosity down this literary rabbit hole. There's so much more. This was not our only victory, there were many and I will share more about our triumphs through our trials in upcoming posts.

If you've gotten to this point dear reader, and you're still wondering what or who "The Genie" is, I do hope you'll pick up a copy to find out how kidnapping, being worked to death, murder, maiming, humiliation, and tyranny would create it. Carruthers says,
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"The irritated Genie of Haiti prospered for only a brief moment of world history but the white world, during that moment, trembled because it knew that on that little speck in the Caribbean Sea, being Black was not a crime and that portion of the Black race had vindicated itself. This is the legacy to the Black world..."
You already know where to go to find out more... have you read this? What were your thoughts after reading it?

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As always, I appreciate that you have read through this blog post.  I hope that you’ve become curious to find out more about "The Irritated Genie."  Do your own research.  We ask that you consider purchasing your books from our Black owned business, Afriware Books, Co.  If there is a title you’d like to purchase that is not mentioned here, or could not be found on the website, feel free to email us at:  [email protected]