History

In 1804, former African slaves on a French colony in the Caribbean defeated Napoleon, one of the most powerful military leaders of that century. They then formed the world's first black-led republic, calling it, The Repiblik d'Ayiti (Republic of Haiti). It was one of the first independent nations in the Western Hemisphere, second only to the United States. Although the nation had established its independence, Haiti was not immediately recognized as a sovereign republic by leading world powers such as France and the United States.  France did not formally recognize Haiti until 1838, after forcing Haiti to pay 90 million gold francs (about $21 billion today) in exchange for full recognition. The United States granted recognition in 1862, the year President Abraham Lincoln issued the first order of the Emancipation Proclamation, which granted freedom to slaves in the Confederate States.

At its inception, the wealthy and powerful nations of that time which benefited from the economics of slavery and racism viewed Haiti as a global “threat” . Haiti inevitably suffered economic oppression, hostility, and harassment at the turn of the century in the international world for daring to prove that all men, women and children, regardless of hue, are indeed created equal. Haiti continued to lead the struggle against colonial domination throughout the world in helping nations such as Mexico, Venezuela, Greece, Belgium, and even the United States gain their independence. Haiti sought to protect human rights in a myriad of ways - from leading the fight to abolish slavery in the Caribbean, to providing asylum for Jews escaping Nazi persecution.

Despite Haiti’s invaluable contribution to the world and its glorious tradition of defending the most basic principles of human rights from liberty to equality, dire economic and socio-political strife have ravaged Haiti from both within and without as it continues a seemingly endless fight for unchallenged dignity and sovereignty. It is this clichéd aspect of Haiti that the outsider is most familiar with, and upon mention of the country, the labels “poorest country in the Western Hemisphere,” “violent,” “politically unstable,” and “AIDS epidemic” will inevitably come up. However, for those who call Haiti lakay (home), these labels are reflective of a misunderstood nation whose vibrant culture, unique history and resilient spirit are often overshadowed by these problems.