Rasanblaj: The Podcast (Formerly Nèg Mawon. All new episodes at rasanblaj.org exclusively.)

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.

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.

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.

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!

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?

((For installments 1 and 2, see episodes #69 and #70, respectively.) ### Comprehensive Sequence of Topics Covered: 1. **Abolitionism and Emancipation Movements** - Gradual vs. immediate emancipation approaches in the U.S. - Contrast between methods of abolition in U.S. and the example set by Haiti - Historical perception of U.S. slavery as less harsh compared to Caribbean slavery. - Ethical issues in comparing degrees of humanitarian crises in slavery paradigms. 2. **Cultural and Historical Narratives** - Influence and circulation of stories like Itanoko in shaping public perception. - The story of Ome and its implications on public views of slavery. - Migration narratives of 1809 to New Orleans and their impact on U.S. slavery laws. 3. **Legal Implications and Political Responses** - Enslaved refugees' roles and their profitability to white refugees. - The Toussaint clause in relation to U.S. and France diplomatic tensions. - Congressional debates and differing views on trade agreements with Haitian leaders. 4. **Historical Documentation and Literature** - Challenges historians face in documenting and quantifying human suffering. - Use of personal narratives and impactful individual stories in historical analysis. - Role of novelizations like "Secret History" in understanding historical perceptions. 5. **Interactions of Law, Economics, and Slavery** - The implications of the federal ban on transatlantic slave trade and enslaved individuals' fate. - Legal and economic responses to the Haitian revolution. - Dr. White's considerations for her book's revised edition concerning these themes. 6. **Educational Approaches and Media Insight** - Assigning novels to undergraduates to provide perspectives on historical events. - The role of media in portraying the brutality of Caribbean versus American slavery. - The contagion trope and its political and historical resonance. 7. **Personal and Public Interactions with Literature** - Organization of bookshelves and the personal touch in managing literature. - Impact of physical books versus digital readings in personal and academic settings. - Discussion on family dynamics in book organization and marking. 8. **Literary Contributions to Historical Perspectives** - Fictional narrative's influence on societal views and historical records. - Discussions on gender and race intersection through historical novels. - Mythmaking in historical events and its effect on legacy and leadership perceptions. The sequence elaborates on the discussions held in the podcast, exploring the multifaceted approach to understanding the complexities of abolitionism, cultural narratives, and the historical impacts of slavery across different geographies and time periods.

Dr. Jeremy Popkin, Jr. is an acclaimed author exploring eyewitness accounts of the Haitian Insurrection. He discusses the overlooked French scholarship on the revolution and the emergence of white colonial captivity narratives. The conversation dives into historical biases, the complexities of personal accounts, and the pivotal role of literacy in maintaining the slave regime. Delving into the psychological trauma of white survivors, Popkin sheds light on power dynamics and the revolutionary figures that shaped this transformative period.

This conversation with Dr. Sophie Maríñez is less an interview than a reckoning for me, an excavation of Haitian and Dominican ghosts, of histories silenced and distorted, the way the past never quite stays in the past–“The past is never dead. It’s not even past”. She walks us through the troubled narratives of Haiti and the Dominican Republic—not as distant, separate nations, but as entangled siblings, bound by history, betrayal, and resistance.At the heart of her book (and this discussion), Spirals in the Caribbean: Representing Violence and Connection in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, is the idea that history is not linear. Instead, it circles back on itself, shifts, adapts, repeats but never in quite the same way. This is Spiralism, a framework born from Haitian literature that seeks to make sense of the cycles of oppression, revolution, and return. The Haitian Revolution, the Parsley Massacre, the decimation of the island’s Indigenous people—these are not separate moments in time but echoes, reverberating through centuries.Frankètienne, one of the fathers of the framework, said that Spiralism “…defines life at the level of relations (colors, odors, sounds, signs, words) and historical connections (positionings in space and time). Not in a closed circuit but tracing the path of a spiral. So rich that each new curve, wider and higher than the one before, expands the arc of one’s vision.” (From: Ready to Burst.)Dr. Maríñez dismantles the neat, binary notions of identity and conflict. Hispaniola? That’s a colonizer’s name. Kiskeya? A myth born from a European chronicler who never set foot on the island. Haiti/Ayiti? One. the true Indigenous name, the other, rendered politically fraught by the weight of nationhood. She insists that there is no singular name, no singular story, only a mouthful: “the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic.”Dominicanidad, she argues, is no less complex. It is a construct, an essentialist shape-shifter, used and abused by political forces to serve shifting agendas. What does it mean to be Dominican, when the definition shifts by geography, race, class, and time? What does it mean to be from a place that has been “ghosted,” rendered illegible by the very scholars and institutions that claim to study the Caribbean? Ouch.Let’s stay with the ghosts:The massacre of 1937 was not just an act of violence but an act of memory, or rather, forced forgetting. The rhetoric of the “peaceful invasion” of Haitians into the Dominican Republic is not about immigration but about erasure, a convenient distraction from the economic and political structures that extract Haitian labor while denying Haitian humanity. The elite, the state, and the power brokers of both nations collude in this, enforcing borders not just of land but of belonging. And yet, the past lingers, history an apparition, unresolved, unatoned for, demanding reckoning.Maríñez sees spiralism as a decolonized way out of the binary nightmare imposed by the Global North–a more liberating way to understand the history of the island occupied by Haiti and the DR, not as a series of conflicts between two nations, but as a struggle between those who hold power and those who resist it. It is the repetition of violence, but also the repetition of rebellion, of solidarity, of culture that refuses to be erased.She calls for deeper connections, for a rejection of the cliches and stereotypes that keep Haiti and the Dominican Republic estranged. “We need to get to know each other,” she says. “Not just the stories we’ve been told, but the truths that lie beneath.”And perhaps that is the real challenge she leaves us with in her book and this interview—to reject the easy narratives, to sit with discomfort, to see the spirals, and to break them.Kenbe la / Aguanta ahi

Like my guest today, I’ve never found it particularly useful to cast François Duvalier as some frothing, otherworldly monster. That story is too easy. It offers too little. Once you wrap him in the veil of pathology, the conversation dies. You’ve exiled him to a place beyond history, beyond explanation, beyond us. But what haunts me still—what lives in the marrow of Belleau’s work—is not the spectacle of evil, but its intimacy. The way Duvalier wrapped the Haitian state around himself like a second skin. The way repression was not distant, not sterile, but close. Whisper-close.This week on the Nèg Mawon Podcast, I sat with anthropologist Jean-Philippe Belleau, and we waded deep into the dark waters of the Duvalier regime—not for the thrill of horror, but to understand the anatomy of power when it is warm, personal, and woven through the lives of the very people it crushes. Here are three strands we pulled from that knot:1. Power in the First PersonBelleau unearths a truth many prefer buried: that Duvalier’s rule was not built in cold, bureaucratic chambers, but in bedrooms, churches, courtyards. It lived in nods and whispers, in godfather promises and godson debts. This was not Orwell’s 1984—this was something older, more Haitian, more intimate. The regime was not an iron wall; it was a web, spun from relationships and obligations, holding the country not at gunpoint, but by the soul.2. Who Gets to Be a Victim?There is a comfort in believing the elite escaped unscathed, that they watched from balconies while the poor bled. But Belleau complicates that myth. His research pulls us toward a difficult truth: the violence had no clean class lines. Elites, too, were crushed, sometimes precisely because they presumed immunity. Belleau invites us to reconsider how history renders victims—how it decides who gets remembered as broken, and who gets blamed for surviving.3. The Ties That Bind (Even in Hell)And still—amid the surveillance, the fear, the Tonton Macoutes—Haitians clung to each other. Kinship, friendship, neighborhood, lakou… these weren’t just sentimental relics. They were lifelines. Belleau shows us that even in the shadow of dictatorship, the social fabric didn’t unravel. It tensed, stretched, contorted—but it held. And in that, there is something both tragic and profoundly human.To understand Duvalier is not to exorcise a demon, but to study a mirror. We cannot afford to look away—not when the terror came wearing a neighbor’s face, a cousin’s smile. Not when history walks so close to home.

Today, we're chatting with the brilliant Dr. Laurent Dubois about his early years, his journey into Haitian studies, and everything in between. Drink some kremas with ice while you’re listening!