Healing in the Homeland -Haitian Vodou Tradition
The portrait on the cover is by artist Ulrick Jean-Pierre
Margaret Mitchell Armand presents a cutting edge interdisciplinary terrain inside an indigenous exploration of her homeland. Her contribution to the historiography of Haïtian Vodou demonstrates the struggle for its recognition in Haïti’s post-independence phase as well as its continued misunderstanding. Through a methodological, original study of the colonial culture of slavery and its dehumanization, Healing in the Homeland: Haitian Vodou Traditions examines the socio-cultural and economic oppression stemming from the local and international derived politics and religious economic oppression.
While concentrating the narratives on stories of indigenous elites educated in the western traditions, Armand moves pass the variables of race to locate the historical conjuncture at the root of the persistent Haïtian national division. Supported by scholarships of indigenous studies and current analysis, she elucidates how a false consciousness can be overcome to reclaim cultural identity and pride, and include a socio-cultural, national educational program and political platform that embraces traditional needs in a global context of mutual respect. While shredding the western adages, and within an indigenous model of understanding, this book purposefully brings forth the struggle of the African people in Haïti.
Dr. Margaret Mitchell Armand BIO
Dr. Margaret Mitchell Armand is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University where she earned a Ph.D. in conflict analysis and resolution, a MA and license in mental health counseling; and a BA in Psychology from University of Texas-Pan American and a Florida Supreme court certified family mediator. Born and raised in Haïti, she worked in the field of education and provided training in conflict transformation. In the United States, she worked in the Broward County, Florida school system and spearheaded a series of diversity workshops. She is a sought after presenter at national and international conferences. A visiting professor at national university, in culture, education and development, she is an active researcher and author with an interest in indigenous studies and decolonization as applied to education and peacebuilding. She has travelled extensively throughout indigenous communities around the world, including, Africa, India and the Caribbean. A recipient of numerous awards for her leadership and community organization skills; some are United States Department of Justice for work with refugees, The Spirit of Justice Award for community activism, the Nosside Mondial Poetry Award, Artist recognition Award and special recognition at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. She is recognized on the Rosa Parks Wall of Tolerance in Montgomery, Alabama, where her name is engraved. She has authored many articles and poems on personal transformation. She is featured in numerous newspapers locally and internationally. Margaret currently sit on the board of the Broward Cultural Council (www.broward.org/arts)
