Nèg Mawon Podcast Patrick Jean-Baptiste

1. Did you know that... Dr. Marlene Daut was initially urged to avoid publishing her work about the literature of the Haitian Revolution due to market concerns?

2. Did you know that... institutional biases often impede authors from diverse backgrounds in the publishing world?

3. Did you know that... Dr. Daut prioritizes publishing in spaces that allow for true expression over merely prestigious places?

4. Did you know that... Dr. Daut advocates for dismantling large-scale institutional power rather than striving to obtain it?

5. Did you know that... pregnancy in academia is still met with stigma, as noted by Dr. Daut based on her personal experiences?

6. Did you know that... Dr. Daut advises new academics to be cautious with social academic settings, particularly those involving alcohol and late-night discussions?

7. Did you know that... debates on job security in academia persist, affecting even full professors, especially those who are black?

8. Did you know that... Dr. Daut has faced significant challenges and microaggressions in academia but continues to pursue her passion for Haitian literature and history?

9. Did you know that... Dr. Daut operates onscientiously as a gatekeeper in academic publishing to amplify diverse voices and perspectives?

10. Did you know that... Dr. Daut emphasizes the importance of more dedicated centers and departments for Haitian studies within academia to overcome marginalization?


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Hey there, friends! Welcome back to the Nèg Mawon Podcast. You're just in time for the second slice of our riveting book review of Michel-Rolph Trouillot's "Haiti: State Against Nation. The Origins and Legacy of Duvalierism." In today's episode, we're diving deeper with our reviewer, Dr. Greg Beckett as he unravels the complex weave of Haiti's urban and rural fabric.
If you thought Part 1 had you hooked, just wait till you hear what we've got today.

So sit back, grab a cup of that Dondon coffee, and let's journey together through the pages of our story that challenges, inspires, and captivates. Alright, enough from me—let's roll Episode 75, part 2/2!

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We're joined today by the esteemed Dr. Greg Beckett, a cultural anthropologist with deep insights into Haitian studies.

In today's conversation, we will unpack the complexities outlined in Michel-Rolph Trouillot's pivotal book “Haiti: State Against Nation. The Origins and Legacy of Duvalierism” and connect its themes to the ongoing political turmoil in Haiti.

Dr. Beckett will guide us through the importance of anthropology's tools—deep listening, relationship building, and grasping local languages and cultures—to authentically interpret terms like "blackout" in the Haitian context.

Dr. Beckett brings us a distilled essence of Michel-Rolph Trouillot book with just five words: "the state, history, crisis, dictatorship, and nation." He then navigates us through Trouillot's Marxist analysis of the Haitian state, revealing how power dynamics and historical legacies have paved the way for enduring crises and the shadow of the Duvalier dictatorship.

As we translate theories across languages and audiences, we'll see how the French and English versions of Trouillot's work diverge, each speaking to different readers with varying political contexts.



At the heart of this episode is the intersection of culture, power, and history, and how they have shaped the Haitian nation and identity.

Join us as we explore the critical role of the Haitian elite, the cultural translation of Marxist critique, and the three pivotal conditions that solidify Duvalierism's hold on Haiti.

This is a journey to uncover the roots of Haiti's challenges and the intricate web of social, economic, and cultural elements that support them.

Stay with us for this enlightening session on the enduring effects of totalitarianism and the fight for democracy in Haiti.


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Outro: Nèg Pa Bondyé
[Introduction]
Join an enthralling convo with Dr. Andrew Maginn, offering a profound exploration of Haitian migration history and identity. We delve into the remarkable life of Pierre Toussaint, tracing his path from slavery to near-millionaire status in 1833 New York.
Haitian kinship networks loom large for post-independence transnational Haitians.
[Timestamped Overview]
00:00 First podcast discusses global migration and citizenship.
08:56 Haitian cultural retention through recipes and writings.
11:03 Social survival and kinship ties in families.
20:43 Ongoing impact of the Haitian Revolution discussed.
21:49 Discussion on Haiti's historical perspective and inaccuracies.
30:24 Education leads to mobility and familial reliance.
34:42 Problem of mislabeling in genealogy research archives.
40:01 Learning investment; New York City growth.
47:48 Pierre Toussaint's correspondences were mainly in French.
50:57 A man explores interracial relationships in Montreal.
54:42 Baltimore and Saint Domingue important during Haitian Revolution.
01:00:39 Haitian slavers' family's varied success and community.
01:09:22 Madras headdress was symbolic of social mobility.
01:13:12 Okra's growth after Haitian migration, gumbo's significance.
01:16:31 West African items and traditions used in slavery.
01:23:55 Oblate's sister sacrifices life caring for bishop.
01:27:01 Inequality in black experience and unmarked graves.
01:37:40 Complicated narrative of African American experience.
01:38:53 The Haitian diaspora experience involves constant movement.
00:00 Discussion on timely migration issues and historical events, emphasizing re-categorization of migration moments and current challenges faced by Haitians.
08:56 Haitian cultural retention in diaspora.
11:03 In diverse cultures, kinship ties provide support and joy, extending beyond biological relationships.
20:43 The Haitian Revolution's ongoing impact, discussed by scholars.
21:49 Discussion about Haiti's history and misunderstanding regarding its revolution start.
30:24 He is educated in reading, writing, for family errands and future success in New York.
34:42 Focus on correcting Haiti genealogy records mislabeling.
40:01 Learning investment, real estate, New York growth, infrastructure development in 1800s.
47:48 Most letters found are in formal French, reflecting education backgrounds from Haitian Revolution. Toussaint may have spoken Creole, but likely did not write it in correspondences.
50:57 Interracial couple leaves NYC for Montreal, exploring Haitian-Canadian connections and living in the Americas.
54:42 Baltimore flour trade with Saint Domingue during Haitian Revolution.
01:00:39 Haitian family's migration to New York and Baltimore, success in various careers, and impact in the Haitian Catholic community.
01:09:22 White madras headwear symbolized status and mobility for Haitians, especially women, before and during the Haitian Revolution. It was utilitarian but hard to keep clean, requiring maintenance. Fanny in Baltimore noticed the scarcity of this symbol within the community.
01:13:12 Okra's historical cultivation, impact on post-Haitian Revolution migration, and use in gumbo.
01:16:31 West African items and traditions used as rebellion in slavery, including okra for abortions on plantations.
01:23:55 Nursing sister dies from cholera while caring for the bishop. 1832 cholera outbreak hits the black community hard. Similarities to current disproportionate impact on people of African descent during COVID.
01:27:01 Discussion on inequality in black experience, unmarked graves in Baltimore, and the need for memorials to honor black individuals.
01:37:40 The speaker discusses a complex narrative beyond solely African American experience, focusing on the international element of Pierre Toussaint's story and his role in the Haitian diaspora.
01:38:53 Haitian diaspora experience involves constant movement and uncertainty, unlike other migration experiences.

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Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Nèg Mawon Podcast, your go-to platform for in-depth discussions that unearth the complexities of Haitian history, culture, and contemporary challenges. I'm your host, Patrick Jean-Baptiste, and today we're diving deep into a topic that is fundamental to understanding Haiti's present by exploring its past.



This episode is about the Haitian people, not their early leaders, some of whom we’ve literally turned into gods. This episode is about the moun endeyo and what remains of their legacy.



In the cacophony of hardship that reverberates through Haitian history, we find the silent echoes of their resistance—they’re the Army of Sufferers who shaped the nation in anonymity and struggle. In this episode, titled "The Struggle for Soil: Haitian Peasantry and the Seeds of Rebellion," I am immensely privileged to welcome Dr. Mimi Sheller, a beacon of scholarship and the Dean of the Global School at WPI. We're here to unravel the threads of Haitian fortitude and democratization embodied in the resistance of the moun endeyo, whose efforts and processes are seldom reflected in mainstream historical narratives.



Our conversation traverses the deep economic desperation that has led to waves of outmigration that we see today on our screens, the assertion of the gangs, filling the security vacuum  in response to the absence of the state, and the disruptions in the rural economy that have torn the fabric of traditional living that existed for hundreds of years. Haiti’s story, it seems, is likened to a war, not of arms, but of power and provision and the endless fight for positive developmental opportunities in the shadow of military might coupled with domestic and foreign interests.



Untold generations of our ancestors are buried in unvisited tombs and silenced in the historical records. But thanks to the efforts of imminent scholars like Dr. Mimi Sheller, some of them escaped the colonial archives.  Dr. Sheller takes us through the everyday lives of 19th century Haitians, revealing the voices of the Haitian peasantry manifested through resistance. We reflect on the phrase, "You Signed My Name, but Not My Feet” as Dr. Sheller dissects the layers of democratization and the struggles inherent in Haiti's fight against slavery and external powers.



We revisited the Piquet  Rebellion, spearheaded by the enigmatic, barefoot Jean Jacques Acau, who carried the mantle of the common people against the forces of the ruling class. We explore the deep roots of resistance, the African-derived collective ownership traditions, and the intricate bureaucracy entwined with land distribution, all within the context of Haiti’s revolutionary legacy—a legacy that redefined democracy and stirred the Atlantic world yet remains on the periphery of historiographical recognition.



So, sit back, tune in, and journey through time as we delve into "The Struggle for Soil: Haitian Peasantry and the Seeds of Rebellion," with the inimitable Dr. Mimi Sheller on the Nèg Mawon Podcast.


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Bonjou, and welcome to another riveting episode of the Nèg Mawon Podcast, where we dive deep into the heart of Haitian politics, society, and the continuous struggles that shape our nation. I'm your host, Patrick Jean-Baptiste, and today, you're tuning in to the new series for 2024, 'Yon Zouti Koupe-Ep.#71.'

In this episode, we're grappling with the intense and complex currents ripping through our beloved Haiti. The youth, the beating heart of our country, are rallying behind a figure of change—a mysterious entity known as Guy Phillipe, yet many don't quite grasp the full breadth of his historical roots or ultimate agenda.

Amid rampant inflation, suffocating insecurity, and the scourge of gang violence leading to widespread displacement, a cry for revolution echoes again through the streets. However, Guy's plan and power base remain enigmatic, adding layers of uncertainty to an already volatile mix.

The government stares down a formidable challenge not just from Guy's armed supporters, but a myriad of factions and unforeseen possibilities that loom on the horizon.

And in an unusual twist, discussions of potential Kenyan intervention stir the pot further, but doubts loom over the viability and legality of such a mission, given the complexity of our country's gang situation.

But at the heart of this lies a deeper issue—the achingly pervasive poverty and limited rungs of social mobility that fuel gang affiliations. To truly combat this, we must address the socioeconomic roots and offer our youth alternative pathways, while at the same time using trusted force of arms to eliminate the pervasive presence of the gangs.

Joining me today to peel back the layers of this multifaceted crisis is Haiti's greatest political scientist, Dr. Robert Fatton, who'll share his insights into the dire state of our national police force, the evolving autonomy of Haitian gangs, and the economic paralysis gripping our society.

We'll also explore the duality of nostalgia for past dictatorships against the backdrop of the ongoing violence and the persistent dream of economic stability.

So stay tuned as we confront these pressing issues and more—right here on Nèg Mawon Podcast.


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