What the World Can Learn from Haiti
As one of the oldest republics in the region, Haiti is the cradle of revolution and resistance.
Reflecting on the 216th anniversary of the Haitian Independence on January 1, I think about how a single story often defines Haiti and her inhabitants — that Haiti is an impoverished, disaster beaten country that struggles with deep rooted political instability. This single story misses the reality: Haitians contribute a great deal to the global community. Haiti should be considered a beacon of revolution and resistance where it’s people are born with the unwillingness to accept anything less than freedom and equality. From prolific military tactician and a founding father of Haiti, Toussaint L’Ouverture, to Haitian-American political campaign organizer under Obama from 2008–2012, Karine Jean-Pierre, Haitians have an inherent thirst for change and fighting spirit that grows with each new generation.
I’m a first-generation Haitian American and I want deeply for the US to actively raise up the contributions and achievements of my ancestral home. With that said, the question remains — what can the U.S. and other global communities learn from Haiti?
Pitit Tig, Se Tig, A Baby Tiger is Still a Tiger
In the year following the catastrophic earthquake of 2010 that damaged Haiti’s agricultural backbone, Monsanto, an American, multi-billion dollar argi-business company, gifted a $4 million donation of hybrid seeds to Haitian farmers, alleging to support reconstruction efforts. What seemed to be a gesture of good will was, in reality, an endeavor that would eventually disrupt Haiti’s fragile agricultural economy and ultimately create dependency on Monsanto’s seeds. In the U.S.,Monsanto is known for their wide range of chemical products like Miracle Gro and Roundup Weedkiller. However, studies prove that the company produces dangerous and harmful products, select Monsanto products cause cancer, and illegally spreads toxic pesticides over Maui, Hawaii. Grassroots organizations like Haiti’s Papaye Peasant Movement (MPP) ), the oldest and largest farmers organization in the country, responded in kind by organizing a protest with over 10,000 farmers to protect the livelihoods of thousands of Haitian farmers and committed to destroying and burning the hybrid seeds if it reached them. The movement continues to take back the power of Haitian farmers and dismantling a narrative of dependency and helplessness.
L’Union Fait La Force, There is Strength in Unity
Haitian folklore tells us about the creation of the country’s flag. Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the first leader of a newly independent Haiti, created the flag with the help of his niece, Catherine Flon to symbolize the union of black Haitians and free people of color (mixed-race descendants of slaves) to shake off caste systems of old colonial structures and structural colorism. Uprising against exploitive governments is nothing new to Haitians. Today, Haitians are embroiled in widespread pro-democracy protests dating back to when President Jovenel Moïse was seated in early 2017. Haitians are incredibly united against rampant corruption to the point that even the normally neutral Catholic Church engaged in demonstrations and staged peaceful protests calling for a change in the US-backed government.
Across the country, Haitians are calling for accountability of elected officials, transparency of public funds, and less foreign intervention similar to the American political environment. The difference here is that Haitiian citizens have consistently criticized dictatorships and authoritarian leaders while making an effort to have more say in their government. Foreign intervention prevents progress to an inclusive democracy but Haitians counter by continuing to raise concerns at the world stage.
Cinematography/Editor/Writer: Alex Horner
Haitian people have the grit to fight powerful adversaries and the resiliency to deal with the repercussions of it. On this Haitian Independence Day, it’s time that Haiti and her people are not only defined by their struggle but also by their ingenuity, their resolve and their courage. As one of the oldest republics in the region, Haiti is the cradle of revolution and resistance.
Posted at Demos.org on JANUARY 6, 2020.
