| Sumario: | Language oppression is harmful as a deliberate act that discourages the use of a nation's language, hindering knowledge production. An activist working with silviculturists in Papaye, Haiti, highlighted this harm, stating, "If we could learn, create, work, and trade in our own language, maybe our children would not have to perish at sea trying to live." This reflective essay examines the impact of linguistic struggles in Haiti, where French dominates education and Kreyòl faces opposition despite decades of activism. Drawing from my own experiences with linguistic insecurity and trauma, I emphasize the need for Kreyòl literacy as a tool against oppression and a model for future generations. This testimony aims to inspire Haitians and allies to support reading and writing in Kreyòl and offer new perspectives on the global impact of language oppression.
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