Haiti The Aftershocks of History by Laurent Dubois

I knew very little about Haiti before reading this book. I found myself increasingly dismayed by the civil wars, violence, poverty, and most of all, the interference of countries like the United States who has so often in Haiti's history tried to control what they didn't truly understand. 

Haiti was colonized by France. It was a slave nation, harvesting sugar cane on plantations using slaves from Africa. Haiti's slave revolt is the only successful slave revolt in the history of the world. So why, after throwing off the constraints of slavery, no one in the world believed that the Haitian people were intelligent enough to govern themselves, is difficult to fathom. People were mired in the belief that people of color were a lower life form - needing white people to make their decisions, run their country, their government, and their army. Even the Haitians themselves! Even the Haitians respected the lighter skinned Haitians over those with darker skin.

I was incredibly discouraged by the US and their 20 year occupation of Haiti. Such violence and corruption! This book - and Haiti's history - really shows a negative view of America and their greed. It shows the ignorance of several American presidents who gave aid to a country full of corruption - who did nothing to help the people of Haiti despite repeated requests. It would have been helpful to Haiti if the US had supported their desire for autonomy and independence, rather than deny them because of the color of their skin - and the US's desire to turn a profit at the expense of the Haitian people.

Of course the Haitians have actually not done well governing themselves, since every president of Haiti demonstrated an abuse of power once they were "in office", by whatever means it took to get there. Even the men who seemed to have the rural Haitians in mind when trying to reform Haiti, were quickly consumed by greed of power and control over the nation.

So, things were not going well before the earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, which further advanced those living in poverty.  They still don't seem to have a clear understanding of how to become a thriving democratic society. Haiti doesn't want to be governed or controlled by foreign powers, yet they also can't govern themselves democratically. Very sad situation. 

This book was not a quick read. It's very political in nature - and it covers over 200 years. I am glad I read it before going to Haiti myself though. I am wondering why the Haitians would even want groups of Americans in their country though! The US has treated them horribly. (Not just America, of course! There are plenty of other countries that are profiting off Haiti). I have heard though that the Haitian people are very kind to mission teams. I will find out myself in January! Really looking forward to my trip, despite my misgivings about their history with America.

Wendy's Rating: ****