Writing revolutions:1 From Haiti to MIT to Palestine through the lenses of linguistics and history for decolonization and liberation
Name
RCUI_A_2607673_O.pdf
Size
2.18 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
2042e86f143245cf838523141a0c36fa
Author(s)
DeGraff, Michel
Journal
Curriculum Inquiry
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Citation
DeGraff, M. (2026). Writing revolutions:1 From Haiti to MIT to Palestine through the lenses of linguistics and history for decolonization and liberation. Curriculum Inquiry, 1–42.
Version
Final published version
Abstract
In this reflexive essay, I explore, through historical and linguistic lenses, the similarities between the freedom struggles of Haitians and Palestinians. One of my goals is to uncover certain pervasive mechanisms of oppression and resistance. As I do so, I reflect on my personal and professional journey as a Haitian scholar–activist at MIT, highlighting the political repression I have faced after proposing an elective “Special Topics” seminar on language and linguistics for decolonization and liberation in Haiti, Palestine and Israel. Employing distinct yet complementary analytical approaches, I dissect the complex interplay between language and history in the Haitian and Palestinian struggles. By integrating historical perspectives with linguistic analysis, I illustrate how these elements collectively contribute to forging paths toward decolonization and liberation, at both the individual and collective levels.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1080/03626784.2025.2607673
