I view history as a sacred and moral enterprise. History is not just a record of events, but a theological resource that plays a redemptive and liberating role in the lives of oppressed people. My philosophy of history integrates elements of liberation theology, postcolonial critique, and Afro-diasporic memory.

Below, I articulate my key ideas about history and its goal in human development:

1. History as Memory and Moral Witness

I see history as a sacred act of remembrance. It honors the ancestors, martyrs, and revolutionaries who struggled for freedom and dignity. To remember is to resist amnesia and to reject the erasure of Black and colonized peoples from historical narratives. Memory is both ethical and spiritual: it calls people to responsibility, solidarity, and justice.

“The act of remembering the past is itself a liberating act; it disrupts systems of erasure and compels moral action.”

2. History as Liberation

For me, history is not neutral; unfortunately, it is often written by colonizers and elites. I advocate for a liberative retelling of history that centers the oppressed. For example, I see Haitian revolutionary history (e.g., Louverture, Dessalines, Makandal) as a model for how historical memory can inspire present-day struggles for emancipation. The goal of history, then, is not only to understand the past, but to transform the future.

3. Theological History from Below

I believe history should be written or told from the underside, that is, from the perspective of slaves, colonized peoples, racialized communities, the marginalized, and the poor. My view of theological history is aligned with thinkers like Howard Thurman, James Cone, and Anténor Firmin, who highlight the spiritual dimension of Black suffering and hope. In my view, God is active in history, and not just in the church or in scripture, but in the struggles of people for justice and dignity.

4. History as a Resource for Identity Formation

I believe that History plays a vital role in shaping collective identity, particularly for African diasporic and Haitian peoples. I view historical consciousness as a foundation for Black dignity, cultural resistance, and theological self-definition. Understanding one’s past, especially the trauma and triumph of enslavement, revolution, and colonization, is necessary for personal and national healing.

5. The Ethical Goal of History: Justice and Human Flourishing

The ultimate goal of engaging with history is human flourishing and the common good. I associate the concept of human flourishing with human dignity, care, justice, compassion, and the affirmation of all people. Historical study must lead to ethical action, not simply academic understanding. In this sense, history is prophetic: it critiques the present and opens the possibility for a better future.

Summary Table

History as Memory

Sacred remembrance that honors the ancestors and resists historical erasure.

History as Liberation

A retelling of the past that empowers the oppressed and inspires justice.

History from Below

Centering marginalized voices in historical narratives.

History and Identity

History shapes cultural and theological self-understanding in the African diaspora.

History’s Goal

Justice, dignity, ethical action, and the liberation of humanity.