Here is an excerpt from Brandi Smith’s recent article and interview on Drs. Couti and Sainte-Claire’s symposium “Haiti and the World” which occurred on February 7 – 8.
“Exploring Haiti’s colonial past, its revolution and independence and its contemporary challenges, the symposium “Haiti and the World: Global Encounters of the Past, Present and Future” addressed themes such as migration, political resilience, economic struggles and environmental concerns. Through two days of panel discussions, roundtables and presentations at Rice University, more than 100 participants sought to dismantle stereotypes and celebrate Haiti’s global impact — both in person and virtually.
“Haiti has a particular colonial history and trajectory, and that has impacted the way not only Haitian people see themselves but the way other people see Haiti,” said Jacqueline Couti, Rice’s Laurence H. Favrot Professor of French Studies and chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Literatures and Cultures (MCLC). “Haiti and its people have faced a long history of attack and misrepresentation due to their unique social, historical and economic trajectory.””
If you would like to read the entire article, please follow this link: https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/rice-convenes-experts-examine-history-identity-and-global-impact-haiti