With the Haitian Flay Day celebrations having recently ended here in the Turks and Caicos Islands and worldwide, it has made me reflect on the Haitian Revolution and what could be learnt from it for us here in the TCI today. First, let me state that I have the utmost respect for the spirit and pride of the people of Haiti and their heritage. What they have done in the history of the western hemisphere, what they have gone and what they continue to go through is unparalleled. Think about it, the first Black Republic of the world! The United States of America as a nation is only a couple of decades older than Haiti. Haiti won its independence in an armed struggle from the colonial power of France during a time period of imperial power when monarchs and emperors ruled. The main difference between the USA and Haitian Revolutions is who led it.
So Haiti wins independence from France on the battlefield and rather than being embraced by the new republic to the north, the U.S.A. colluded with France and other European powers to isolate Haiti for over 20 years, with France eventually imposing a 150 million gold francs debt on Haiti for the cost of land, livestock, and value of lost slaves in exchange for French recognition of its independence. As a young nation, Haiti now had to find ways to pay France back, though it was just trying to find its way as a new country. Does this seem familiar? Had they not agreed to the pay back the debt, the worldwide trade embargo on Haitian goods would have continued and they would not be recognized as a Republic, resulting in stagnant economic growth. To boot, one of its’ greatest leaders, Toussaint L’Ouverture, was deceived by the French towards the end of the revolution and later killed while in prison at Fort-de-Joux in the Jura region of France. Still with me? Again, systematic obstacles put in their way. Remember the old adage, strike the Sheppard and the sheep will scatter. Does this not sound rather familiar?
Some might argue, well, that happened over 200 years ago and the world has changed so much. To this I say, the world may have become more globalized, however, history is in an all-time state of repeating itself in obvious and less-than obvious ways. That said, if we look at Caribbean countries’ independence history, you will see the influence of geo-political interference in our affairs pre and post-independence. England and the USA backed Forbes Burnham the capitalist, over Cheddi Jagan the communist, in Guyana and ensured that Burnham would be the first Prime Minister of Guyana. US President Ronald Reagan sent troops into Grenada to squash the revolution lead by Maurice Bishop who favored communism. Reagan again backed the Capitalist Edward Seaga over the sitting Prime Minister Michael Manley who professed Democratic Socialism as the best way towards equality in Jamaica. One can surmise that this was too close to communism for Reagan’s liking. Also take note of Cuba and Fidel Castro. I am not even going to discuss the countless African Leaders like Patrice Lamumba and many others who have tried to move their countries towards independence but were killed over the philosophies and ideologies they held and or shared. Some say the same has happened to our only national hero, JAGS McCartney; that he died in vain trying to free our people with a view of making the TCI a great nation. Nevertheless, the main difference today is that the character of our leaders is assassinated. A person cannot lead if they do not have the trust of the people whom they wish to lead. It is improbable.
So what are the lessons from that brief history lesson? One, Haiti was systematically targeted to fail. They took over 100 plus years to pay off the debt. Also, they had to be made to be seen as a failure so that other colonies did not try to rebel on mass. This for the most part – largely worked owing to the fact that other colonial countries did not start seeking to gain their independence until over 150 years later. I can’t think about a worst time for a country to go into independence with the conditions Haiti had to endure. So a desire for independence in the TCI is more real and viable than many think. Some may say but what we have gone through in the TCI cannot compare to what Haiti has gone through. To that I say that is the whole point. I am sure that the fore fathers on the Haitian Nation would still take their chances with independence even if they knew ahead of time what was in their future. So if they would, why not us? Why not learn from the mistakes of the countries around us and do better? We merely have to have that resolute determination and spirit to plan and fight for it. And the burning desire and belief that it will be ours. At the very least any national conversation should start with us at a minimum striving to have the level of autonomy as Bermuda.
Remember the older adage ‘he who pays the piper calls the tunes’; let us imagine what Haiti could have been without being isolated and saddled with such a debt from the very outset. The equivalent of $150 million gold francs in 1825 would be in the neighborhood of several hundred billion dollars if not more today. Imagine what the TCI will be once we remove this British Loan Guarantee and are able to chart our own economic course once more. Also, we must be mindful that the Haitian Revolution was a 13-year struggle and not an overnight affair.
The moral to this story is that great feats can be accomplished by a people who have an unbreakable spirit. With all that the people of Haiti have endured over two centuries, it is hard to find a prouder people in the Caribbean Diaspora, if not the world. I’m sure Jamaicans may have something to say about this, but I digress. The point is not to confuse lack of pride with doing whatever it takes to survive and make a way for you and your family. This includes going to another “Man’s” country and doing jobs that he would not himself do.
None of this is to down play the roles of Bad Caribbean Leaders over the years, but to say you may be a Queen in your game of Chess but just a Pawn in someone else’s.
Stay Blessed,
Jamell Robinson
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