Rollins Profiles
A sense of community is one of the many characteristics that makes
Rollins College special. Let us introduce you to a few of the
people who make up our community. Meet some of "R-People!"
Linda Tavernier-Almada,
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of
Anthropology
Where were you born or what city do you consider your hometown?
I consider
Berkeley, California, my hometown.
What attracted you to Rollins?
The small classes attracted me. Close and personal
contact with students is by far the most enticing aspect
of teaching at Rollins.
What is your personal educational philosophy?
I teach to nourish the intellectual minds that will
strengthen our society. My pedagogy is rooted in a
contemplative, objective and interdisciplinary approach
to education. I work extensively to help all my students
learn how to demystify intellectual work, explore new
ideas and find productive ways of analyzing the world
around them. Because I have extensive knowledge and
experience working within diversified communities, I am
very committed to addressing the particularly complex
challenges of students traditionally marginalized or
ostracized.
What are your current research interests?
Departing always
from a Gramscian type of organic intellectualism, I
continue my ethnohistorical research into the unique
values of African Diaspora communities. I hope that the
result of my research will shed light on the diversity
of the African Diaspora communities sharing U.S. social
space.
What are some of your favorite books?
A number of my favorites are The
Prophet by Kahlil Gibran; The Wretched of the
Earth by Frantz Fanon; Jihad Vs. MacWorld by
Benjamin Barber; The Black Jacobins by C.L.R.
James; The Little Prince (the French version) by
Antoine de Saint Exupéry; Masters of the Dew (the
French version) by Jaques Roumain; Masses, Classes,
Ideas by Étienne Balibar; and The Social Contract
by Jean Jacques Rousseau.
What is one of your favorite quotations?
"Hail, Caesar! We who are about to die salute
you!"
I think of this quote by Tiberius Claudius Drusus each
time I set out to do something unpopular, but right.
What are your special interests?
My passion is anchored in the well
being of the Haitian populace living here in the U.S. and
in Haiti.
How do you spend your free time or weekends?
I enjoy spending quality time with my 11
year-old-daughter. I love long philosophical discussions
with people of diverse background and intellect. I also
like swimming and boating.
What would be your dream vacation?
My dream vacation would be to spend two weeks in any
extremely remote area by the sea. A lack of electricity,
wide none-constricting garments and the option to go
barefoot are also essential for my fantasy vacation.
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