When you hear Haiti, what comes to mind? In order to understand what caused the chaos in Haiti, we must revisit history and understand three key questions; “Where did she come from?” “Who is she?” and “Why now?”
Haiti is a piece of Africa that floated into the western hemisphere with the only connection to the western hemisphere being longitude and latitude. Haiti is Africa in the Americas located only 800 miles off the coast of Florida and within eye-sight view of Cuba.
Haiti’s story is unique as her birth was the result of a slave revolt which led to freedom overnight, becoming the second independent country in the western hemisphere – second to the Unites States. With exceptional bravery Haiti was the spark that opened the gates to freedom for countries in the Americas and Africa.
During the Siege of Savannah on October 9, 1779, free men of African descent from Saint-Domingue (Haiti) traveled to the U.S. as volunteer fighters willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of freedom for the United States. A monument stands in Savannah, Ga. at Franklin Square in honor of this remarkable act.
It was Haiti’s own battle for independence that caused cash-strapped France to sell the Louisiana Purchase consisting of 14 states for a price of 3 cents an acre. This transaction doubled the size of the U.S. with the simple stroke of a pen and it remains one of the largest land deals in history; initiated by Haiti.
In 1804 the black nation of Haiti earned its independence. The United States refused to recognize the country until 60 plus years later.
Acknowledging the independence of Haiti and the role this black country played in fighting for U.S. independence was a frightening concept that slave-holding states were not yet ready to deal with.
This feeling carried over and was all too clear to Frederick Douglas, Consul-General to Haiti from 1889 to 1891 – he resigned in protest to unfair U.S. policies towards Haiti. He later delivered a statement referencing that U.S. leadership resented the black country of Haiti for its independence. For many, these feelings still exist today fueling recent comments such as those made by Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson.
Haiti often gave without expecting in return, a re-occurring theme in this unique story. Haiti formed allies throughout the world as she helped build the freedom constitution for numerous countries.
The fact that Haiti is a founding member of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity (now African Union) and the Organization of American States reminds us of the leadership movement Haiti sparked during her years of glory. High points in the history of Haiti brought recognition to this nation as the creator and co-signatory for the Declaration of Human Rights with the likes of human rights giant Senator Emile Saint-Lôt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Again Haiti gave by providing soldiers, money and ammunition to Simon Bolivar; the liberator of South America. Countries in the Americas and Africa now come to Haiti’s aid as she faces her biggest challenge.
Who Is She? She is a black country with an exceptionally strong spirit who stands alone, has been neglected and treated unfairly. She was never recognized for her accomplishments and was often used as a political football. She is Haiti.
Why Now? It’s time. The world is watching. Today social media provides a front row interactive view of Haiti to the largest global audience ever, and imposes transparency. Until now people had little understanding of the true condition of Haiti.
How could a country so close to the U.S., pivotal to the independence of many countries and at one time the wealthiest of the French colonies find herself today devastated by an earthquake that struck when she was already teetering on the edge? How could a country so rich in spirit, history, culture, land and opportunity be so far down on the poverty scale? The way we treat others says a lot about ourselves. Who are you? Who are we?
In the end the solution lies in our will to come together and be the difference. We all have a responsibility to help the most vulnerable in our society especially when they are neighbors who have given so much, been treated so unfairly and are now in a position of catastrophic need.
The Haitian Diaspora and the African-American communities, rich with expertise in intellectual, structural and humanitarian leadership are destined to come together and forge a sustainable accountable future. We know the history. We know of the changes taking place as we speak. The leadership is shifting and once again freedom rings. This time on what side of history will you be…will we be?
Jean St.Lot-Gervais is President of Le Flambeau Foundation Inc. committed to intellectual infrastructure development for Haiti. Visit www.leflambeau-foundation.org/earthquake for information on the Haiti Earthquake and on how you can be the difference in rebuilding Haiti.
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