I am currently working on an article that offers a critical analysis of Dézafi (1975), the first novel written in Haitian Kreyòl by Nobel Prize nominee and literary icon Frankétienne. This essay examines the production of moral evil as constructed violence within the twin settings of the novel, the villages of Ravin Sèch and Bouanèf.

While many critics have interpreted Dézafi as “a potent commentary on a country haunted by a history of slavery” or as an allegory for the zombification of the Haitian people under the Duvalier regime, my analysis challenges these dominant readings. Instead, I argue for a twofold approach: first, that the concept of zombi/zombification in the novel should be read “at face value,” without allegorical or metaphorical interpretation; and second, that Dézafi serves as Frankétienne’s critical assessment of zombification as a form of moral evil and constructed violence within Haitian Vodou. To support this argument, I explore the novel’s reliance on Haitian oral traditions—particularly proverbs and witty (and “pithy”) sayings—which function as moral frameworks for evaluating religious sensibilities, beliefs, social relations, and human behavior.

The tentative title of the article is “Moral Evil as Constructed Violence: Zombification and the Critique of Vodou in Frankétienne’s Dézafi.”

The classic critical work on Frankétienne’s major works in French.

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My new poem is called “A Love’s Gentle Passage & Memory.” It does have an unusual structure, as it pertains to its poetic content and meaning. There are four speakers assigned different roles.

At the sound of the first musical beat—a piano—, the first speaker, a young woman who mourns the love she once enjoyed, opens up the poem with an existential question—bearing an emotive quality.

The second speaker, a young man who also mourns the memory of a triumphant love, asks a series of questions which he hopes will console his heart. This stanza is accompanied by the sound of a different musical instrument, preferably a violin.

The final speakers are a couple who just begin their love journey, an experiment they hope will bring greater joy and excitement. This final stanza is accompanied by the rhythmic sound of a French horn, as these new lovers sing the poetic lines in unison.

“A Love’s Gentle Passage & Memory”

Speaker 1

What happens when romantic love dies?
Where does it go?
What will it become?
How much could we hold on to it?
How much could we hope without it?

Does a love that fades away become a ghost in the night?
Does a love that we mourn become only a whisper at dawn?
Does it stop our heart beating?
Can hope still blossom amid love’s ashes?

Speaker 2

What happens when lovers exhale their final breath?
Where does their breeze finds its rest?
Can the vision of a dying love rekindle its passion?
How much warmth still remains from its fire?

Speaker 3

Love does not die; it only transforms.
Love becomes a ghost in echoes, a silent kiss in the wind.
It fades to ember, dissipates like fog.
It touches our memory’s marrow, shaping lovers’ hearts long after the summertime of the soul.
Romantic love stains the spirit, pressing into silence.

“Held by the Wind”

The moon is beautiful, yet far away,
But you stay near, beating in my heart.
Every road I take to forget you
Leads me back to where you are.
Birds have feathers so they can fly—
Yet yours keep my mind from drifting away.

I just found out two days ago that San Jacinto College posted this picture of me on its LinkedIn page during the celebration of Black History Month.

I am grateful for the nomination and the opportunity to continue serving our students, the English Department faculty and staff, and the San Jacinto College. Thank you, San Jac Family!

Here’s my new poem:

“Where my Love Lives and Grows”

At dawn’s first light, your memory rises with the sun in my heart.
I hide you deeper than the secrets of my inner being.
You are a steady light in my darkness.
When the weight of this world bears down, you pick me up and lift me higher.
No distance too far, no road too hard, to be at my reach.

You’re my laughter in the storm, the gentle touch that makes me whole.
You’re the love song played in my piano, the only sound that calms my soul.
You’re the only one I’m singing to marvel.
Your eyes, so pure, so sublime, are the first light of my mornings.

You’re my last thought before I close my eyes, the steady force that rebuilds me.
Your hands are the only ones I want to hold.
You’re the dream I never want to lose.
You’re the sculptor that reshapes my shattered pieces.
You are etched into my heart, a love so sincere, a love too deep for time to erase.

I was just trying to state a few propositions on the relationship between music and religion in Haiti and the imperative for interreligious dialogue—Rice University, “Haiti and the World International Symposium.”

On February 7-8, the Department of Modern and Classical Literatures and Culture at Rice University organized a two-day international Symposium on “Haiti and the World.” I was invited to present a paper on my academic interests, and the two keynote speakers were Haitianist historian Laurent Dubois (Friday) and  the well-known Haitian novelist Myriam J.A. Chancy (Saturday). The conference organizers were Jacqueline Couti and Linsey Saint-Claire.

I took some random photos of the events, which I am pleased to share with you below:

For more details about the event, click on the links below:

https://events.rice.edu/event/396469-haiti-and-the-world-global-encounters-of-the-past

Program

This was published two weeks ago. https://www.sanjac.edu/about/news/2025/joseph-nominated-for-the-minnie-stevens-piper-award



“Dr. Celucien Joseph nominated by San Jacinto College for the Minnie Stevens Piper Award
Jan 30, 2025
Jacquelynn Conger

Joseph nominated by San Jacinto College for the Minnie Stevens Piper Award
Dr. Celucien Joseph nominated by San Jacinto College for the Minnie Stevens Piper Award
Jan 30, 2025
Jacquelynn Conger
Dr. Celucien Joseph
Dr. Celucien Joseph

Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards announced

Pasadena, Texas – San Jacinto College announced its 2025 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award nominee and the Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards recipients.

Dr. Celucien Joseph, San Jacinto College Central Campus English department chair, is the College’s 2024-25 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award nominee. Joseph has been teaching at San Jac for two years, with 20 years’ experience at the collegiate level.

“Dr. Joseph joined San Jacinto College with a vision to enhance the academic experience for both students and faculty and has made significant contributions,” said Van Wigginton, Central Campus provost. “One of his most noteworthy achievements is the creation of a new Technical Writing 1302 course specifically tailored for students in our Process Technology program. The course does not merely fulfill the curriculum requirements but significantly enriches the students’ learning experience by integrating practical applications relevant to their field of study and creates a classroom experience that aligns with real-world industry requirements.”


Dr. Celucien Joseph
Joseph has lent his expertise to a variety of committees and student organizations, including the San Jac Online academic support services work group; Mosaic, which supports San Jac students through mentorship; and Accents: The Student Literary Magazine.

Since 1958, The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation has recognized outstanding professors from two- and four-year Texas colleges and universities, both public and private. As a non-profit, charitable corporation, one of its biggest programs is the Piper Professor Program. Ten awards of $5,000 are distributed annually to college professors for superior teaching based on submissions by each college or university.

San Jacinto College Faculty Excellence Award recipients include Dr. Albert Talley, department chair, bachelor of education; Dr. Nicole Bradley, biotechnology; Amber Tyler, welding technology; and Estrellita Coronado, pharmacy technician.

Staff Excellence Award recipients include Hollis Auzenne, senior administrative assistant, dean of instructional services office; Maria Dabrowski, advisor, campus financial aid service; Natalia Mendez, advisor, campus financial aid service; and Jeanie Wright, coordinator, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

The Administrator Excellence Award went to Shelley Rinehart, assistant vice chancellor, instructional and support program efficacy; and Rezaur Rahman, director of sustainability/energy management, facilities energy management.

“San Jacinto College is proud to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and administrator Excellence Award recipients,” said Dr. Laurel Williamson, deputy chancellor and College president. “These individuals embody the values and mission of our institution, consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication to our students, colleagues, and community. Their ability to inspire, innovate, and collaborate reflects the highest standards of excellence, and their contributions have had a profound impact on the success and well-being of our College.”

Criteria for the College’s Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards nominations include addressing the nominee’s last two years of work and service in the following areas: ability to serve as a role model and work collaboratively with others; possessions of exemplary attributes or qualifications; contributions to addressing or meeting the needs of our students and/or our employees; and dedications, service, and involvement in the College community.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, serving approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s, and Aa2 by Moody’s.,”

For more information about San Jacinto College visit sanjac.edu.