The Truth About Haiti

First of all, it is good to take a swift glance at the historical and cultural background of the Haitian people. In order to fully understand present and actual conditions, it is necessary to be familiar with the fact that the Haitian people have a glorious history behind them. Haiti was the first of the American Republics, after the United States, to gain its independence and the richest black colony during that time. The story of the war for Haitian independence is one of the most thrilling chapters in the history of the world. If one reads only what alien historians have written, he gains the idea that the Haitian struggle was nothing more than the massacre of outnumbered whites by hordes of semi-savage blacks. There was massacre and savagery but it was on both sides. But the war itself was one which suffers very little in magnitude by comparison with the American Revolution. There were times when the French troops and the Haitian troops engaged, aggregated more than 80,000 men. The French troops were the best that Napoleon could send. The Haitian troops were not a band of lawless guerrillas but were well drilled and well officered. There were battles in which these troops compelled the admiration of the French for their valor, and their commanders, for their military ability and gallantry.

It should also be borne in mind that the Haitian Revolution was not merely a political revolution. It was also a social revolution. There was a complete overturn of both the political and social organization of the country. The man who had been the chattel became the ruler.

Haiti gained her independence 205 years ago and maintained her complete sovereignty down to 1915, the year of American intervention. None of the Latin-American Republics had the difficulties in maintaining their independence that Haiti encountered. The Black Republic did not receive from the United States the support which it had a right to expect. Haiti had fought France, England and Spain, but the United States was the last of all the strong nations to recognize her independence, when, indeed, she should have been the first.

From day one of becoming the first black country in the world to gain its freedom, Haiti was faced with an embargo. More than 200 years later, Haiti is still facing the same fate. While it is easy for some to look at haiti and see poverty, Haiti remains a country with great potential and opportunities.

Diasponitiative is a call to action to Haitians all across the globe. From East to West, North to South, you are called upon to join the Diasponitiative in an effort to rebuild Haiti and regain our sense of pride. It is our responsibility to restore the legacy that our forefathers have fought so hard to establish. So lets get to it.

Remember this: “ In killing me, they have cut down the tree of liberty of the blacks. It will grow back because the roots are many and deep." - Toussaint Louverture