Wednesday, February 28, 7 – 9 p.m., in the Columbia Library, 624 S. Michigan, 3rd floor north
When it comes to the Haitian spiritual practice, Vodou, most people probably conjure up an image of a shamanistic figure sticking pins in “voodoo dolls.” In her landmark book, Migration and Vodou, Dr. Karen Richman explores how misinformation about Haitian culture is deeply rooted in American imperialism and racism, serving to justify the United States’ long history of occupation and exploitation of Haiti. Dr. Richman, who serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies at Notre Dame’s Institute of Latino Studies, reveals Vodou to be an extraordinary religion that not only inspired hope and resistance to colonialism, but profoundly shaped Haitian arts and culture throughout the diaspora.
Dr. Richman, who is an anthropologist, spent the better part of two decades researching Haitian migrant communities in Virginia and South Florida. Her book, and accompanying compact disc, documents how Vodou spiritual practices migrated to the U.S. and became the connective tissue for successive generations of Haitian families living abroad. Particularly noteworthy, is the innovative role that audio and video tapes played in sustaining ritual and aesthetic practices for Haitians living in the U.S. These tapes included sacred songs, and narration of prayers, sacrifices, and offerings, and reminded Haitians of their obligations to their families back home.
Josh DeWind, Director of International Migration Program, Social Science Research Council, called Dr. Richman’s work, “The most ambitious, insightful, and interesting account of the nature and centrality of religion for transnational migrants yet written… a path-breaking study.”
Dr. Richman will read and sell copies of her book, Migration and Vodou on Wednesday, February 28, 7 – 9 p.m. in the Columbia Library, 624 S. Michigan Ave., 3rd floor North Reading Room. Dr. Richman, who is also a board member for the Haitian American Museum of Chicago, will bring Haitian artworks which represent the idea of Haitian “spiritualities.” Following the presentation, there will be Q&A session and book signing. The program is co-sponsored by the Columbia Library, and Illinois Latino Voice, a local social media organization focused on Latina/o/x community affairs.
Dr. Richman is a guest speaker in Jesus Macarena-Avila’s class Caribbean Art, Literature, and Music. History, Humanities and Social Sciences Instructor Macarena-Avila designed the course to bring prominent individuals and scholars on Caribbean, Latin American and Latina/o/x art history, and cultural anthropology to Columbia.
On April 25, 7 – 9 p.m., in the Columbia Library, the class features Rey Andujar: Exploring Dominican Poetry. Andujar, a Chicago performance artist, poet, and scholar, will discuss and read from his book, Saturnalia.
