Debt, Coups & Colonialism in Haiti: France & U.S. Urged to Pay Reparations for Destroying Nation

We look in depth at “The Ransom,” a new series in The New York Times that details how France devastated Haiti’s economy by forcing Haiti to pay massive reparations for the loss of slave labor after enslaved Haitians rebelled, founding the world’s first Black republic in 1804. We speak with historians Westenley Alcenat and Gerald Horne on the story of Haiti’s finances and how Haitian demands for reparations have been repeatedly shut down. Alcenat says the series “exposes the rest of the world to a knowledge that actually has existed for over a hundred years,” and while he welcomes the series, he demands The New York Times apologize for publishing racist Haitian stereotypes in 2010 by columnist David Brooks. Horne also requests The New York Times make the revelatory documents that the series cites accessible to other historians. He says the series will “hopefully cause us to reexamine the history of this country and move away from the propaganda point that somehow the United States was an abolitionist republic when actually it was the foremost slaveholder’s republic.”

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[Bisquick]

_"These countries aren't underdeveloped they're overexploited."_ - Michael Parenti

[diallo]

As a Haitian American I thank you for reporting on this. Amy has always been an ally and when no other media were talking about Haiti, Democracy Now did. Thank you Amy and Juan!

[guerliebazile-anglade]

I have been living in darkness for years regarding why my beloved country name Haiti is impoverished. Thank so much for the enlightenment.

[DatWay]

This is great finally people hearing the Haitian people!! I’m Pakistani Asian American and I know the history of how bad the Haitian people and the land has been treat .. such beautiful people!! Strong people ! People that never gave up!! Stand up for Haiti !!!

[kholeka]

Haiti has always been the torch for the oppressed and enslaved of the world, I stand with the revolution!

[artemmandrob]

I have visited Haiti. Never have I met so many good, brave and beautiful people struggling against so many difficult problems. This episode reveals what many have known for years: Haiti has been undermined and attacked since it first gained it's freedom. The Haitians met President "all men are created equal" Jefferson and were turned away. We owe the Louisiana Purchase in many ways to the successful Haitian Revolution. France gave up on its hope of a "New" world empire and sold its North American holding to the US. Have we ever thanked the Haitians? No, but we did loan them money (US banks) to pay reparations to the French. Exploitation more than human rights.

[pearlinerobinson]

Thank you Haiti for leading the way and inspiring your brother, sisters and cousins in other regions to fight for their freedom. We will overcome ...from 🇯🇲

[wtzfekk]

Indeed, the recent market downturn serves as evidence that a vast majority of individuals lacked a sufficient understanding of the underlying financial dynamics at play.

[righteousness]

Lies travel faster than the truth, but the truth has more endurance.

[nats]

Free Haiti!! I’m a 47 yo female from Jamaica and all my life I’ve seen the Haitian people tried many times to have their own government and it hasn’t happened as yet!
Understanding colonization can be depressing!

[azeclecticdog]

France needs to refund with interest their extortion of Haiti.

[yopyop]

This exposes the game. Keep working. Thank you.

[garysaintil]

"Haiti History " is our proud Heritage that inspire all Haitians today.

[houseofallena]

I stand in Solidarity with my Haitian brothers and sisters 🇭🇹 🇹🇹 ✊🏾🙏🏾

[hrsdarwish]

Absolutely heartbreaking. This adds an extra layer of obscenity to the way the US is dealing with Haitian asylum seekers.

[Amywazwaz]

Oh gosh. There is so much harm our country has done to other nations in our name. I have not heard of so much of it. I feel so ashamed of how our government has been treating these refugees. Thank you for helping to open my eyes.

We really need a whole new way of governing. Wrong is wrong. The rich do not get to keep making money off of slavery. What the heck!

[PoliticalFuturism]

This was a great discussion. Haiti hardly receives the credit and attention it deserves. Well done Amy and Juan!

[stephenhardy]

Every generation needs to learn about the Transatlantic Slave Trade. A valuable lesson and a WARNING from history

[carolineduvier]

Solidarity with the people of Haiti, solidarity with all oppressed peoples.

[coreys.]

It’s time for Haitians and Black Americans stand together and demand reparations from all of these countries. Furthermore, it’s time for Haiti to unite and stop the fighting and corruption