Contents contributed and discussions participated by Paul Allison - 2010 Haiti Earthquake

Under French rule, Haiti's abundant sugar plantations made it perhaps the richest colony of the Caribbean. The slave rebellion began about 1790 and a leader soon emerged: Toussaint L'Overture. After years of fierce fighting, L'Overture was captured by Napoleon's forces and died in France.The rebellion lived on, and Napoleon's mighty forces were defeated. Haiti declared itself a nation on Jan. 1, 1804. For years to come, however, Haiti would pay reparations to France.The loss of Haiti's riches and strategic location was part of Napoleon's decision to sell the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States.In America, where blacks were still seeking freedom, there was pride and wonder that Haitians had seized their destiny. This left an indelible imprint on African-American culture.
- Paul Allison on 18 Jan 10
  
  The history that is suggested here is very important. There's a lot of "looking the other way" racism in the U.S. response to the revolution that isn't mentioned here, too.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">The history that is suggested here is very important. There's a lot of "looking the other way" racism in the U.S. response to the revolution that isn't mentioned here, too.</div>
  
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America occupied Haiti from 1915 until 1934, then supported a series of dictators until 1990. Today, Haitian refugees are treated differently than those from other nations, which many believe is partially due to race.
- Paul Allison on 18 Jan 10
  
  I've been reading this wondering when America's more active role in Haiti would be mentioned. I pretty sure that the CIA was involved in the 1994 coup and that our Marines were involved in Aristede's kidnapping in 2004.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I've been reading this wondering when America's more active role in Haiti would be mentioned. I pretty sure that the CIA was involved in the 1994 coup and that our Marines were involved in Aristede's kidnapping in 2004.</div>
  
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Click Snapshot for: Haiti's tradition of curious tyrants, by Robert Dewar. Contemporary... - 0 views

find.galegroup.com/...retrieve.do Haiti earthquake 2010 history opposing viewpoints

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Why Haiti Matters | Print Article | Newsweek.com - 0 views

www.newsweek.com/...print Haiti earthquake 2010 history newsweek.com

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Devestation Puts Spotlight on Haiti's History, Trouble - 0 views

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Don't count Haiti out - latimes.com - 1 views

www.latimes.com/...tz15-2010jan15,0,2404187.story Haiti earthquake 2010 history latimes.com

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Paul Allison on 18 Jan 10

What an inspiring and historically grounded commentary: "The tragedy is tremendous and the threats to life ongoing in a situation in which the ground is still trembling and disease likely. But the capacity of this people for survival and, indeed, for greatness in the worst of conditions has been demonstrated for more than two centuries. These are the descendants of people who overthrew an indecent, inhuman, overpowering slave system. Many of those still alive grew up under a vicious dynasty and rose up to oust it. It's entirely likely, therefore, that Haitians once again will put together a national coumbite. With a huge humanitarian effort from their friends, they will rebuild the country -- for the better. The will must be there for the world to come to Haiti's aid and work with the millions of surviving Haitians to rebuild this valuable country. So many Haitians, including the president, have nowhere to sleep, but they will sleep and get up again tomorrow to face the troubles. "

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">What an inspiring and historically grounded commentary: "The tragedy is tremendous and the threats to life ongoing in a situation in which the ground is still trembling and disease likely. But the capacity of this people for survival and, indeed, for greatness in the worst of conditions has been demonstrated for more than two centuries. These are the descendants of people who overthrew an indecent, inhuman, overpowering slave system. Many of those still alive grew up under a vicious dynasty and rose up to oust it. It's entirely likely, therefore, that Haitians once again will put together a national coumbite. With a huge humanitarian effort from their friends, they will rebuild the country -- for the better. The will must be there for the world to come to Haiti's aid and work with the millions of surviving Haitians to rebuild this valuable country. So many Haitians, including the president, have nowhere to sleep, but they will sleep and get up again tomorrow to face the troubles. "</div>

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Haiti's Unnatural Disaster - 2 views

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A brief primer on the present Haiti/IMF relationship « Mississippi Learning - 0 views

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But it’s also time to stop having a conversation about charity and start having a conversation about justice–about recovery, responsibility and fairness. What the world should be pondering instead is: What is Haiti owed? Haiti’s vulnerability to natural disasters, its food shortages, poverty, deforestation and lack of infrastructure, are not accidental. To say that it is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere is to miss the point; Haiti was made poor–by France, the United States, Great Britain, other Western powers and by the IMF and the World Bank.
- Paul Allison on 18 Jan 10
  
  These are exactly some of the things that I've been thinking. I'm especially curious about how often the poverty of Haiti is talked about in the passive voice. I like the naming-names here.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">These are exactly some of the things that I've been thinking. I'm especially curious about how often the poverty of Haiti is talked about in the passive voice. I like the naming-names here.</div>
  
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On The Haiti Earthquake - Francis Duggan - 0 views

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