This piece originally aired July 2011.
The radio show was in Miami last year recording . As the show travels around the country, producers invite locals to write letters to their city. Haitian-born author was selected to pen an ode to the Magic City. Although others might have praised Miami鈥檚 weather, golden beaches and word-class hotels, Danticat focused her letter on a 15-year-old boy鈥揕ukeson Lemorin鈥搘ho was . His mother was in jail and his father was deported to Haiti after being acquitted of a crime.
Although Miami is usually glamorized in TV shows like or serves as a backdrop in , Danticat notes there are real stories about real people to be told. Miami is still the city of dreams for refugees. After all, 60% of its residents are foreign born.
Danticat is the author of and , selected by Oprah Winfrey as a featured title in her book club. She has also written short story collections and a young adult novel. She was the recipient of the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation 鈥淕enius Award.鈥�
