Kelli Dunham

Kelli Dunham first visited Port au Prince in 1987, which means her ongoing relationship with the country of Haiti is more than seven times as long as any of her other intimate relationships.

This multimedia story-sharing work in progress traces the overlaps, missteps, and joys of someone who wants to do some good in a place where many have done well, pretty awful.

Stories may well include:
The night Kelli ripped her pants (floral jams, c 1988) in front of several thousand people at a downtown Port au Prince Mardi Gras celebration.
Kelli’s conversion to Catholicism while working in Haiti in 1990 and her subsequent years as a Roman Catholic nun.
Celebrating the election of Jean -Betrand Aristide in the streets of Carrefour Fe.
What happens when you mix up the words for “spit” and “listen” when working with a large group of slightly smart alecky kids.
As well as stories from Kelli’s most recent trip to do medical relief work in post earthquake Haiti, shared in a spirit of “sa je pa we, ke pa tounen” (what the eye doesn’t see doesn’t turn the heart)

The presentation will absolutely NOT answer important questions like:

Can a white person trying to make a positive difference in Haiti transcend the hundred years old legacy of colonialism and racism?

Why did Kelli never learn how to pronounce the numbers after 50, despite being pretty darn proficient in Haitian Kreyol?

Do human beings ever help each other or do they just trade guilt for exhaustion?

With title song by Haitian American singer/songwriter Cassendre Xavier.

The workshop debut of Pou Kisa W Gwo Com Sa (Why Are You Fat Like That, White Person) will take place April 25 in Collect Pond, Brooklyn. Kelli shared an excerpt from the show on April 3 as part of Queer Memoir. You can see the video here.