NAAHP Blog

Rachel Cantave
PhD Student
Department of Anthropology
American University Graduate School of Arts & Science

What is your occupation and academic background and how did you come to work in this field?

I am a PhD candidate of Anthropology at American University. My research is focused on Latin America and the Caribbean, with a particular interest in the African jaspora (diaspora). My dissertation will be a study of religion, morality, and race relations in Northeastern Brazil. I am also a research assistant and teaching assistant at American University.

As a child, I was never satisfied with the paragraph on Haitian history in American textbooks. I wanted to understand where I came from, so I got my undergraduate degree at NYU, studying history and postcolonialism in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was my experience at NYU and exposure to such inspirational works by academics like bell hooks, Frantz Fanon, Gina Athena Ulysses, Gayatri Spivak and Zora Neal Hurston that inspired me to dedicate my life to academia and teaching.

What is the biggest challenge of your work?

The biggest challenge for me is the relentless pressure within academia to balance (and excel at) multiple tasks at once. For example: in just one semester, I am teaching, studying, constantly reading, writing conference papers and proposals and then writing grants to fund my conference papers and research—and this is all happening before, during, and after finals! However, everything worthwhile is a challenge, right!

Identify one or two of your proudest achievements?

Every grant I’ve received and funding for my PhD is a great achievement for me. I don’t have the financial freedom to travel and study without some kind of support or grant. Receiving a Fulbright to do my dissertation fieldwork, conference grants and a Tinker Field for preliminary research is more than just money; it is also validation that my work is significant and that someone (besides my bel fanmi) believes in my potential enough to fund me/ make it rain. That is a wonderful achievement.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? 

Teaching, traveling and writing. Perhaps even living half my year abroad and then returning in the spring semester to teach at an American college or university.

What would be your advice to young students who want their careers and lives to have impact?

Be disciplined, work hard, and believe in yourself. Read everything, question everything and take notes! And most importantly, never shut yourself off from criticism. Take critiques (even the harsh ones) and make yourself better. There is ALWAYS room to grow, and grow confidently.

Would you recommend NAHP to Haitian students and professionals? Why? 

Haiti is undergoing pretty critical changes these days. A forum like NAHP that allows Haitian and Haitian-American students and professionals to network, and provides space for our dialogue is a crucial first step to making sure the future of our nation reflects the interests of its people.