Columnist Jamala Rogers
After Haiti was hit with a 7.0 earthquake causing widespread death and destruction, right-wing evangelist Pat Robertson attributed Haiti’s woes to a “pact with the devil.” Between his racist worldview and his senility clouding his thinking, Robertson needs a history lesson.
The fact that should always be remembered about Haiti is that it is the only country that engaged in armed struggle to overthrow slavery. It is the oldest black republic in the world. In 1804, Haiti declared its independence from its French colonizers, and the Haitian people have been catching hell ever since. The U.S. and France have buddied up to ensure the country’s instability and chaos.
When little Napoleon got his butt kicked by organized and determined Haitians led by Toussaint L’Ouverture, his plan to get top dollar for the Louisiana territory was shattered. Napoleon was forced to sell the territory to the U.S. for a pittance.
Haiti’s declaration of independence became a source of panic because the U.S. feared that its slaves would be influenced by the Haitian revolution. The U.S. government began a systematic and insidious series of foreign policies and interventions that would keep Haiti at bay and isolated.
The first blow came with the French-demanded payment of 67 million francs from Haiti in exchange for its recognition as a free and sovereign country. This nearly bankrupted the newly formed government and put them on a course for financial destabilization.
Haiti saw 22 changes of government from 1843 to 1915, with U.S. hands in the mix. Setting up the scenario that Haiti was incapable of ruling itself, the U.S. sent military troops into Haiti, occupying the country for almost two decades. Haiti regained its sovereignty in 1934.
Before they could get their stride going, here comes the Duvalier dictatorship with the support of the U.S. “Papa Doc” and “Baby Doc” reigned with brutal repression, milking the country for all they could before being kicked out.
By this time, U.S. multinationals like Spaulding and garment companies had their feet firmly planted. They maximized their profits by paying pennies a day to workers who often worked seven days a week, 10-12 hours per day. Corruption now permeates Haitian society.
The Haitians elected Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1990. His administration was continually undermined by the U.S. until he was forced into exile. U.S. supported opposition forces, so when it came time to bring some resolution to the conflict Secretary of State Colin Powell demanded that President Aristide concede to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank plan to make the poor country its eternal debtor.
Last year, due to the persistent leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus, Haiti finally received $1.2 billion in debt cancellation.
Even U.S. immigration and policies were hostile to Haiti; some have called these policies racist. We’ve seen the boat people from Cuba be received with open arms, while Haitians are turned away to face the sea’s peril.
Up until last week, about 30,000 Haitians faced deportation. The Obama administration granted Temporary Protected Status to all undocumented Haitians in the U.S. after the earthquake, but warned Haitians now trying to enter this country that they will be turned away or detained. The decision was a hallow act of compassion given the centuries of political, social and economic disruptions caused by the U.S.
The Haitian people are a proud people. Haiti could be a strong, self-sustaining country were it not for the history of meddling by U.S. and France. But even these proud and resilient people must bow down to the current ecological crises. They will need help from sincere and compassionate sources. That’s us.
If you want to know more about Haiti, the current catastrophe and how you can help, come to the St. Louis Project for Haiti fundraiser this Saturday, January 23 at 2 p.m. The event will be held at the St. Mark’s Family Church located 9950 Glen Owen (at Chambers Road). For more information, call Harold Compere at (314) 968-9025.