Who Stands Up?

Last Saturday marked the anniversary of the founding of the most democratic society of its time.  U.S. history buffs might be puzzled, knowing that the Constitution was ratified in June and the Declaration of Independence before that was signed in July.  But if you are puzzled, then you are almost certainly not a Haitian history buff.  Haitian Independence Day is January 1.

The United States provided hard evidence to European skeptics that democracy was viable and that there could be peaceful transitions of power.  But while American statesmen spoke forcefully about freedom from tyranny in their Declaration of Independence, our legacy long included less than universal suffrage. 

Meanwhile, in 1804, as Haiti became the second republic in the Western Hemisphere,  it was the first in the hemisphere to abolish slavery (60 years before the United States).  Any African escaping the clutches of slavery who made it to Haiti was free. Haitian suffrage extended to constitutionally recognize the rights of indigenous peoples as well. The name “Haiti” (Ayiti) is itself a tribute to indigenous people; coming from the language of the Taíno people.

Recently, as thousands of Haitian emigres were attempting to seek asylum in the U.S., a lot was made of a statement Joe Biden had made back in 1996.  Then Senator Joe Biden suggested in an interview with Charlie Rose that Haiti could sink into the Caribbean and “it wouldn’t matter a whole lot in terms of our interest.”  This statement hasn’t aged well over the last quarter century.  But even if the President’s defenders were right in suggesting that he was just putting Haiti in context with Bosnia and other trouble spots of that time, it could only be reasonable in the narrowest viewing.  Haiti does and has mattered a great deal to U.S. interests.

Though he denied help to the revolutionaries to our south, because of American slaveholder interests and his efforts to end the Quasi war with France, John Adams tried very hard to establish a trading relationship. In the lead up to World War 1, Woodrow Wilson was concerned that the Germans might establish a fueling station on Haiti and preempted that possibility by invading the country, installing Jim Crow overseers and hauling off their treasury to the States.

The impacts are not limited to things that occur on U.S. soil.  It is worth remembering that when the French Emperor Napoleon sent 10,000 troops to secure the Louisiana Territory from the early American to its east.  On the way, the army was to stop off in Haiti and suppress the slave rebellion there.  By the time it was over, the French forces were decimated and incapable of fortifying the North American lands.  Needing cash to support his European war efforts, and short on forces to defend Louisiana anyway, Napoleon decided to sell the land to the United States doubling this young country’s size and inviting the economic boom that followed.

It may seem to the casual observer that Haiti’s challenges are little more than a border headache to us in the States, we would do well to reflect on how truly unique that country is, not only eschewing of slavery, but for its revolutionary solidarity with independence movements elsewhere in the world. When the Venezuelan revolutionary Simón Bolívar was shown a cold shoulder by European powers in his fight against Spanish colonialism, Haiti gave him asylum and Alexandre Pétion, the then-President of South Haiti, arms as well as Haitian sailors and soldiers. True to the democratic vision, Petion’s only condition was that Bolívar free the slaves.  Though it is not often seen this way, Haiti should be considered an important partner to the United States on a number of issues that impact America, from immigration to drug control.

The African diaspora who are cognizant of its rich history, hold a special place in their hearts for Haiti.  As the new year dawns and we all reflect on how we try to be in the months to come, Haitian independence can and should mean something to all of us. 

Bill Heiden teaches American Studies at the University of Hartford and helps to lead the international development organization, Levo International, Inc. working primarily in Haiti. 

Kwaku Aurelien is the son of a Haitian immigrant completing study at the University of Connecticut in English and history.  He works on history curriculum design for Start:Empowerment, a social and environmental justice education non-profit.