Régine Michelle Jean-Charles

Romance Languages and Literatures and African and African Diaspora Studies Program

Classes taught: RL 454 Francophone Women Writers; RL 473 Haiti Chérie: Haitian Literature & Culture;  RL 307 Masterpieces of Francophone Literature; RL 476 Francophone African Cinema;  RL 465 Francophone African & Caribbean Literature

BK 241:  Beyond Barack & Hillary:  Black Feminism in Politics, Literature & Culture; BK 357 Haiti & Globalization; BK 600 Theorizing the African Diaspora; BK 236 Narratives of Violence in Africa and the Diaspora

Questions

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

This is my fifth year as an assistant professor here at BC.  I became a professor because I loved to read, write, teach, talk and travel—a career in academia allows me to do all of these and to impact future generations to be inspired to change the world.  My area of specialty is French-speaking Africa and the Caribbean as well as gender, feminism and sexuality in Africa and the diaspora.  I am currently completing my first book, “Conflict Bodies:  The Politics of Rape Representation in the Francophone Imaginary.”  I am very passionate about my Haitian culture—Haiti has some of the best music, art and food in the world not to mention an extraordinary and exciting history.  I am married and I have two little boys ages 5 and 3. 

2. What are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about ending rape and domestic violence.  I sit on the board of a non-profit, A Long Walk Home, an organization that uses the arts to end violence against women and girls.  I started working with ALWH as a graduate student when I had the opportunity to perform in the multi-media arts show “Story of A Rape Survivor”. Today I am a lecturer, performer and board member for the group.  One of my favorite programs that we have is the Girl/Friends Leadership Institute, a program for high school girls who go on to become change agents on their communities by using the arts as tools for social change and healing, create strong sexual and dating violence policies and prevention programs at their schools, and have the resources and skills to teach, mentor, and advocate for other girls in their schools and communities.

3. How do you define “feminism”?

My favorite definition comes from Gloria Steinem: “feminism is the radical notion that women are human.” 

4. Why do you identify yourself as a feminist?

Because I believe in equity; also as a black feminist I am painfully aware of the intersection of different oppressions.  I also believe in the idea of feminism as a collective movement that requires everyone’s participation.  As bell hooks put it “feminism is for everyone.” Finally, when I was in college I attended a lecture in which the speaker said “as a woman if you are not a feminist you are a masochist” so really to me the question is why not identify as a feminist?

5. Who or what inspires you?

My faith—whether it is the challenge to love God with all my heart soul, strength and mind, to love my neighbor, care for the least of these, my faith walk motivates, guides and inspires me daily.