Haiti is not a charitable project.
We are human beings.
We have dignity.
We share a common humanity with all people.

We love Haiti 🇭🇹 & the United States 🇺🇸.
We love democracy.
We work hard.
We pay taxes.
We are a hopeful & resilient people.
We contribute to the success of USA.
Haitian lives matter.

“A Few Writing Project Updates”

Please allow me to brag a little bit about a few recent achievements!!!
I’ve been quite productive this summer. So far, I’m satisfied with the progress I made:

1. I submitted my review of a manuscript for a University press; the forthcoming book discusses works of fiction about the Haitian Revolution. This is the second phase of the peer review process. The author made all the corrections that I suggested in the first round. I’m pleased with the outcome. Can’t wait to see the publication of this fantastic text in early spring 2027 or late fall 2026.
2. I am done writing the book chapter for the forthcoming book Bertin Louis, Lewis Clorméus, and I are coediting on Haitian Protestantism for the University Press of Florida. I wrote on the interesting topic constructing a “Christian vision” of Haiti in nineteenth-century Haitian poetry. I still need to work on the corrections suggested by my peers.
3. I just submitted an academic article to a journal on how twentieth-century Haitian writers, mostly Haitian poets, constructed what I phrase a “Vodouist poetic narrative.” They also developed a poetic theology of Vodou in Haitian literature.
4. I submitted a book proposal to a university press on the afterlives of Dessalines, particularly how different generations, diverse communities, and various traditions—from the early nineteenth-century to the present—across Haiti, the Caribbean, the United States, France, and Western Europe remembered, characterized, represented, mythologized, and contested Jean-Jacques Dessalines—the founder of the Haitian nation. This is not a historical biography; rather, it’s a book about the global memory of Dessalines after his death.
5. I submitted the book review I was asked to do for the Journal of Haitian Studies.
6. I submitted today an opinion piece to a Haitian journal on the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court granting the Trump administration the legal right to revoke the temporary status of some 350,000 TPS (Haitian) holders.
7. Finally, I will get done with my summer class next Thursday: July 2nd.

I need a vacation now. Don’t I deserve to take one, good people? 😊

When I was a doctoral student at UT Dallas in the early 2000s, I took a seminar on American Intellectual History, and one of the books assigned in the course was James T. Kloppenger’s excellent text, “The Virtues of Liberalism” (Oxford University Press, 2000). I remember vividly that my professor who himself an intellectual historian (he received his PhD from Yale) defended American liberalism with passion, enthusiasm, and intellectual energy. I was hooked and persuaded by his brilliant and coherent argument! lol

If I recall correctly other books we read in the course included Joyce Oldham Appleby’s superb text “Liberalism and Republicanism in the Historical Imagination” (we may have read another book she wrote, “Telling the Truth About History”), “The Metaphysical Club : A Story of Ideas in America” by Louis Menand, the two volume texts, “The American Intellectual Tradition,” edited by David A. Hollinger and Charles Capper, and many other texts that I don’t recall at the moment.

Anyway, I was impressed by Kloppenger’s balanced argument in the defense of American Liberalism tradition. I have gained great insights from his series of essay on the subject matter and I always find myself return to that book.

As I begin working on a new writing project, I ordered his magnum opus, the monumental intellectual history of democracy in the United States and Europe entitled “Toward Democracy: The Struggle for Self-Rule in European and American Thought” (2016), also published by Oxford UP.

I received the book today. The book is only 892 pages, and I love reading BIG books 📕 😊

I am pleased to share the first endorsement of my forthcoming book from Vanderbilt University Press.

“This is a monumental and much-needed intellectual biography that will stand as a major contribution to Haitian studies and Black Atlantic thought.”
—Linsey Sainte-Claire, assistant professor of Francophone Studies at Rice University

I sincerely thank Dr. Saint-Claire for writing this blurb. More endorsements to come….

https://www.vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/9780826500601/for-the-sake-of-black-people-and-the-common-good/

“Du Bois the ‘Haitian,’ Haiti, and the New Documentary on Du Bois: ‘W. E. B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause’”

Whenever you see a scholar displays books online, it could mean he’s or she’s working on a research project. Here’s my small collection on W.E. B. Du Bois.

By the way, I was a little disappointed about the new PBS documentary on Du Bois: “W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause.” There was no representative scholar in Haitian Studies or no scholar of Haitian descent commenting on Du Bois’s complex life and intellectual itineraries. I am quite aware that one documentary cannot do justice to such a magnitude and influential figure like Du Bois; however, Haiti occupied a major strategic and political role in his rich pan-African career and unapologetic activism, especially Du Bois’s war against capitalism, militarism, and anti-Black racism.

1. Du Bois’s father was Haitian and born in Haiti. Du Bois discussed his Haitian background in his autobiographies.
2. Du Bois wrote his doctoral dissertation at Harvard (1895) and discussed the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) at great length, and he highlighted how the Haitian Revolution led to the abolition of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, the Louisiana Purchase (1803), and the Southern states, including South Carolina—passed stricter slave codes and laws (1800)— restricting the movement and assembly of enslaved people for religious worship or purposes.
3. As chief editor of “The Crisis” magazine and public intellectual, Du Bois used his influence and editorial activism to push back against the American military occupation in Haiti(1915-1934), and eventually Du Bois and his team of Black activists played an instrumental role in ending American imperialism in Haiti.
4. Du Bois visited Haiti a couple of times and discussed his Haitian family and background—including his great cousin, the esteemed Haitian educator and intellectual Élie Du Bois—in his writings
5. Du Bois was well-versed in Haitian history and talked about his father’s land prolifically in his writings.
6. As a pan-Africanist, Du Bois planned to hold one of the Pan-African conferences in the 1920s in Haiti and exchanged correspondence with the well-regarded Haitian diplomat and cultural philosopher Dantès Bellegarde to help organize it there.
7. Throughout the twentieth-century, especially the first half, Du Bois was actively writing to his Haitian friends, including Bellegarde, Jean Price-Mars, Sylvain, etc., and even wrote commentaries and book reviews on books published in Haiti—both in French and English.

Representation is important in scholarship, in the curriculum, in politics, education, and in Black Studies. There’s power and joy in representation, especially if and when it’s done with care, consideration, and collaboration.

Happy Sunday, Good People!!!

“Understanding the Doctoral Process: What It Really Takes to Earn the Title ‘Dr.’”

I have been following the ongoing conversation surrounding the controversy over whether popular internet life coach “Dr.” Cheyenne Bryant actually holds a doctoral degree. Many individuals have questioned her academic credentials and qualifications, including inquiries about the title of her dissertation, the date of her dissertation defense, and transcripts of her doctoral coursework to substantiate her claim of holding a doctorate.

In this post, I would like to explain to the public how the doctoral process works and the tremendous amount of work required to earn a doctoral degree. First, it is important to understand that not all doctoral degrees are the same. There are professional doctorates, which differ from the PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), traditionally regarded as the highest academic degree in most disciplines.

Based on my experience as a former doctoral student and now as the holder of two PhD degrees—my first from the University of Texas at Dallas (PhD in Literary Studies) and my second from the University of Pretoria (PhD in Systematic Theology and Ethics)—I hope to shed light on this important matter and clarify some common misconceptions about the doctoral process.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive examination of doctoral education; rather, it is an overview of the essential stages and requirements typically involved in earning a doctorate or the PhD degree.

Preface

First of all, earning a doctoral degree requires discipline, dedication, determination, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to completing the process from beginning to end. It is an extraordinarily rigorous, demanding, and intellectually intense journey that often requires years of sacrifice, resilience, and sustained focus. It is more difficult if you have small children or have to work a full time job while working on your doctorate.

While many individuals have successfully completed this academic path, others, unfortunately, have not been able to finish for a variety of personal, financial, academic, or professional reasons. However, if you did not complete your doctoral degree because of personal circumstances or life challenges, that does not make you a failure. Quite simply, the doctoral process is not for everyone, nor does everyone desire to endure the level of pressure, sacrifice, and dedication it demands.

My reflection in this post considers the doctoral system in the United States.

1. Degree Requirements

In most cases, a master’s degree is required for admission into a doctoral program, although some programs admit exceptionally qualified students directly from a bachelor’s degree.

2. Entrance Examinations

Many doctoral programs in the Humanities and Social Sciences require applicants to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). Other disciplines may require different graduate entrance exams.

Other entrance exams to Graduate or Professional schools might include the following:
—GMAT for Business school admission or MBA programs
—LSAT for Law school admission
—MCAT for Medical school admission
—DAT for Dental school admission

3. Grade Point Average (GPA)

Most PhD programs require a competitive GPA, often a minimum of 3.5, for admission consideration. Admission to a doctoral program is often a competitive process.

4. Statement of Purpose

Applicants are generally required to submit a statement of purpose explaining their academic interests, research goals, and reasons for pursuing doctoral study in a specific field such as Medicine, English, History, Biology, Physics, or Theology.

5. Admission Process

After submitting the application packet, a graduate admissions committee evaluates the applicant’s credentials and determines whether to grant or deny admission. Successful applicants receive an official letter of acceptance.

6. Coursework

Traditional PhD programs usually require two to three years of advanced coursework in the student’s chosen discipline. It’s quite a phenomenal process and journey.

7. Comprehensive Examinations

Doctoral students must complete comprehensive or qualifying examinations in several areas of specialization, and in most disciplines, it is three areas of specialization/academic interest. Some universities also require an oral defense component of the field exams.

8. The Doctoral Committee

The doctoral student assembles a committee of scholars and experts who guide the dissertation process. The committee is led by a doctoral supervisor or advisor who oversees the research project from beginning to completion. The relationship between the student and advisor is extremely important because the advisor serves as the primary mentor and specialist in the student’s research area.

9. Prospectus or Dissertation Proposal

After successfully passing comprehensive exams in one’s academic discipline or area of study, the student advances to the dissertation proposal stage. This involves writing a detailed academic document explaining the research topic, methodology, theoretical framework, and significance of the proposed study.

The prospectus is one of the most important documents in the doctoral journey. In some institutions, students must orally defend the proposal before receiving approval to proceed with dissertation research and writing.

Once the prospectus is approved by both the supervisor and committee members, the student is granted permission to begin full dissertation research.

10. Dissertation Research and Writing

I believe this stage is often the most intellectually rewarding aspect of doctoral study for several reasons:

1. The student researches a topic about which he or she is deeply passionate.
2. The student seeks to make an original contribution to knowledge in a particular field or discipline (English, Medicine, Chemistry, Engineering, etc.)
3. The dissertation, as a peer-review and academic document, is written under the supervision and evaluation of qualified scholars and experts: one’s doctoral committee.

The dissertation represents years of research, critical thinking, writing, revision, and scholarly engagement. It’s quite a journey!

11. Dissertation Defense

After the dissertation is completed and approved by the supervisor and committee, the Office of Graduate School or your university schedules the oral defense. Traditionally, this is a formal academic event lasting approximately two hours.

During the defense:

a. The student/doctoral candidate presents and explains the dissertation.
b. Committee members ask questions and evaluate the research and its presentation by the doctoral candidate.
c. The committee deliberates privately.
d. The doctoral candidate is informed whether he or she passed or failed the dissertation.

It is at this stage (“this very moment”) that the title “Doctor” is formally earned academically, and it is publicly announced by your doctoral advisor and affirmed by all the members of your committee.

However, the journey does not end with the defense. Several final administrative and institutional requirements still remain.

12. Official Sign-Off Documents

The advisor and committee members must sign official certification documents confirming that the student has successfully completed and defended the dissertation. These documents are submitted to the Graduate School or Graduate Office for final approval. There is, however, one important document that is usually placed as the first or second page of your dissertation and it is signed in ink by all members of the dissertation committee.

13. Archiving the Dissertation

Once approved by the academic Dean and the Graduate Office of one’s institution, the dissertation is archived in the university library and frequently uploaded to ProQuest, the major international database for doctoral dissertations and theses.

14. Publication and Personal Copies

After the dissertation is successfully submitted to ProQuest, graduates may order bound copies for themselves, family members, or professional use.

15. Graduation and Hooding Ceremony

The final step in the doctoral process is participation in the graduation or hooding ceremony, during which the doctoral advisor publicly confers the doctoral hood upon the graduate.

**This is voluntary. For example, I did not have the opportunity to attend my doctoral graduation ceremony at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

Any individual who legitimately holds a doctoral degree will almost certainly possess records of that achievement, including transcripts, dissertation copies, defense documentation, or archived institutional records. Even if personal copies are unavailable, such records are typically preserved within university archives, libraries, ProQuest databases, or official institutional repositories.

***For example, I have bound copies of both my PhD dissertations and maintain both official and unofficial copies of transcripts for both degrees and in all my previous academic degrees.

The purpose of this post is not to attack any individual personally, but rather to educate the public about the rigor, structure, and academic integrity traditionally associated with earning a doctoral degree.

Hope that helps!

“Work & Ideas in Progress”

My next and third intellectual biography on a major Haitian, Caribbean, and Black Atlantic thinker is on Joseph Antenor Firmin, “Apostle of Human Equality: An Intellectual Biography of Firmin” (SUNY Press). Projected publication date: 2028

My first one was on Jacques Roumain, “Thinking in Public: Faith, Secular Humanism, and Development in Jacques Roumain” (2017).

My second one on Price-Mars, “For the Sake of Black People and the Common Good: A Biography of Jean Price-Mars” (forthcoming, Vanderbilt University Press, 2026).

After I am done with Firmin, I’d like to turn my attention to the writings & ideas of the brilliant sociologist & public intellectual Madeleine Sylvain-Bouchereau. Projected publication date: 2030

Folks: I would need lots of prayers, mental strength, and intellectual & physical energy.

Happy Wednesday, Good People!

My forthcoming book with Vanderbilt University Press is now available for pre-order. 388 pp.

“For the Sake of Black People and the Common Good A Biography of Jean Price-Mars”

Let me know what you think about the cover!

Book Details

“On Violence, War, Hostility, and the Radical Call to be Peacemakers”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
—Matthew 5:9

In the biblical tradition, the word peace is intimately associated with the character of Yahweh/God. Peace is a divine attribute of Yahweh. God is called the God of peace, and peace is what he does and who he is. Peace is a natural expression of Yahweh’s power, dominion, and sovereignty. It also communicates how Yahweh rules the world, works with people, and facilitates the affairs of the nations.

In this verse, peace is related to the Hebraic idea of shalom. The latter means harmony, flourishing, wholeness, and to cultivate a right relationship with God and others.

A peacemaker is one who serves as an active agent of reconciliation. In this verse, the term does not simply refer to a peacekeeper or a lover of peace; rather, it describes someone intentionally engaged in the hard work of (1) resolving conflict and tension, (2) restoring broken and fragmented relationships among individuals, nations, ethnic groups, and races, (3) promoting justice, unity, and reconciliation, and (4) resisting evil, violence, alienation, and division. At the same time, a peacemaker possesses a deep disposition toward peace—valuing and cultivating it both within local communities and on a broader national and global scale.

For Jesus Christ to call his disciples to be “peacemakers” in the Sermon on the Mount is to issue a clear and compelling summons for his followers to become active agents of peace, reflecting God’s commitment to all peoples and all nations. In this sense, the peacemaker is called a child of God because he or she both belongs to God and embodies God’s character. As the King of peace, God is continually initiating and sustaining peace in his governance of the nations; therefore, those who are called children of God participate in this redemptive work of peacemaking: restoring, promoting, and maintaining peace for the flourishing of humanity in the world.

Thus, in practice, those who claim to know God, belong to Him, and live in communion with Him are called to reject war, violence, and any political—whether legal or illegal—actions that do not contribute to shalom and the flourishing of humanity among the nations. This radical humility is also an intentional effort to prevent human suffering, degradation, and destruction; it’s a deliberate commitment to human dignity and sanctity of life.

To be called a peacemaker by Jesus Christ is to live as one. It is a radical calling and identity: one that seeks to transform culture, politics, law, public policy, and all forms of human relationship. By identifying the children of God as peacemakers, Jesus makes clear that they are not to be passive observers or neutral agents in the face of what is broken in society and the world. Rather, this is a call to action: to lead, to persuade, and to unify in a world often marked by intimidation, threats, injustice, aggression, retaliation, power struggles, and violence—where tensions persist between powerful and marginalized nations, and between the Global North and the Global South. Those whom Jesus calls peacemakers are charged with interrupting cycles of violence and working to end conflict, mediating disputes rather than fueling them, and pursuing unity and reconciliation even when it is unpopular. They labor intentionally toward true justice and harmony, seeking both communal and global healing even when such work is costly and sacrificial.

“Living the Jesus Way vs the Way of the Nations“

Violence is not associated with the Jesus Way. The Prince of peace does not conquer the world with force or lead with a sword.

Oppression contradicts the message of Christ.
It stands in defiance of the Christ who proclaims good news to the poor and sets the oppressed free. Anywhere people are in chain,
Christ is betrayed and crucified again.

War is not the language of Jesus, the crucified lamb. He still calls his followers to a higher aim of life, an obedience marked by an ethic of care and relationality, not conquest and retaliation.

Dehumanization is a threat to the biblical idea of human dignity and to the God who declares all life is sacred. Every person is a human being who bears the imprint of divine breath and beauty.

Xenophobia opposes God’s commitment of inclusive embrace of all peoples and nations, races and ethnicities. The purpose of God is to gather nations, not alienate them, and to guide and unite them as one people in grace and mercy.

The desire to dominate, conquer, and control other peoples and their nations and cultures betrays the shared values and the clarion call to love one’s neighbor and practice hospitality.
Power without love is tyranny and oppression; strength without compassion is corruption and selfishness.

If love is not the driven motive to engage others, the outcome will not bring honor to the God of peace ad love. The Jesus Way is marked by the narrow road of humility, justice, and radical love.