Day 8, last day in Haiti
We had a very special day. We got to visit the National Museum of Haiti. Here they shared with us their history. I found myself feeling a great sense of respect for this people after I learned just some of what they've been through.
In 1492, Columbus landed in Haiti. They found 4 million Tinos (native people) living on the Island. Columbus was an Italian who was being supported by Spain. When they arrived they spent the next 50 years torturing and mutilating all the Tinos. Not one survived. They would cut off their arms and noses and blind them with knives. They would then leave them to bleed to death. Because the bodies were so numerous they brought dogs over from Spain (Haiti did not have dogs) and let the dogs eat the bodies of the Natives. To this day Haitians do not like dogs. You will see "pirate dogs" as I call them, who are descended from these spanish dogs roaming the streets but people do not have them as pets. The present day Haitians are descendants from the South African slaves that were brought in to replace the Tinos. There were approximately 15 million slaves over 400 years brought over from Africa. Women would have abortions just to keep their children from having to be slaves. However, as punishment for having an abortion, the woman would have to carry a 50# metal weight on her head.
In 1957 when the dictator, DuValier, came into power, he had the history books rewritten to eliminate this part of their history. It was not until the internet became common place that the truth of the heritage has been revealed. He was a brutal, wicked man who has been likened to Hitler. It is said that the torture and experiments he performed on the people may even surpass the cruelty to the Jews. He was nicknamed "Papa Doc" because of his human experiments. His son, who took over after his fathers death, was nicknamed "Baby Doc" as he was equally as cruel.
In 1986 there was a huge revolution in Haiti and the people rose up and killed those who were loyal to the government. Baby Doc was exiled to France.
Haiti was also financially indebted to France until 1976. After 1824 France came and told Haiti if they would pay 150 million Francs (roughly 3 billion in today's money) they would recognize them as an independent nation. The president, without asking the people, agreed. France had Haiti pay it to their bank plus interest. In 1862 President Lincoln recognized Haiti's independence. They are considered the first black county to gain independence.
America:
You probably have heard of American sending aide to Haiti. These are some of the examples of how that "aide" worked. When the Clintons were in power they put a restriction on the sale of rice in America. However, they didn't want it to go to waste so they decided to send it to Haiti. Haiti has very few crops, one being brown rice. The US decided to send their white rice to Haiti and undercut the price thinking this was going to be a big help. Not only is white rice less nutritious, but now there is no rice industry in Haiti. Noone would pay for the brown rice because it was more expensive. To this day the bags of rice have an American Flag on the front of it and everyone eats white rice.
Obama decided the best way to help was to send 7 school buses to Haiti. If you'll remember, the kids don't get to go to school and it certainly does not help feed their belly's. The US has sent Marines into Haiti on occasion. Each instance has resulted in cruelty to the people there. Numerous pictures showing our Marines beheading and torturing the people as a way of forcing them to do what we want them to do.
A lot of this was very disturbing to me. But if you research the information it is all correct. What a tragedy we've been a part of . I asked our group leader why we celebrate Columbus when he literally committed genocide. She said there are many factions who are trying to rescind the tradition of honoring him in light of actions in Haiti.
This was a very difficult trip, both physically and emotionally. Just surviving the heat and humidity and lack of "normal conveniences" was hard-and to think these people do this every single day on a much more difficult scale. I'm hopeful that by providing this insight will help us gain a greater understanding of our own actions and an appreciation every day for the blessings of this promised land.
In 1492, Columbus landed in Haiti. They found 4 million Tinos (native people) living on the Island. Columbus was an Italian who was being supported by Spain. When they arrived they spent the next 50 years torturing and mutilating all the Tinos. Not one survived. They would cut off their arms and noses and blind them with knives. They would then leave them to bleed to death. Because the bodies were so numerous they brought dogs over from Spain (Haiti did not have dogs) and let the dogs eat the bodies of the Natives. To this day Haitians do not like dogs. You will see "pirate dogs" as I call them, who are descended from these spanish dogs roaming the streets but people do not have them as pets. The present day Haitians are descendants from the South African slaves that were brought in to replace the Tinos. There were approximately 15 million slaves over 400 years brought over from Africa. Women would have abortions just to keep their children from having to be slaves. However, as punishment for having an abortion, the woman would have to carry a 50# metal weight on her head.
In 1957 when the dictator, DuValier, came into power, he had the history books rewritten to eliminate this part of their history. It was not until the internet became common place that the truth of the heritage has been revealed. He was a brutal, wicked man who has been likened to Hitler. It is said that the torture and experiments he performed on the people may even surpass the cruelty to the Jews. He was nicknamed "Papa Doc" because of his human experiments. His son, who took over after his fathers death, was nicknamed "Baby Doc" as he was equally as cruel.
In 1986 there was a huge revolution in Haiti and the people rose up and killed those who were loyal to the government. Baby Doc was exiled to France.
Haiti was also financially indebted to France until 1976. After 1824 France came and told Haiti if they would pay 150 million Francs (roughly 3 billion in today's money) they would recognize them as an independent nation. The president, without asking the people, agreed. France had Haiti pay it to their bank plus interest. In 1862 President Lincoln recognized Haiti's independence. They are considered the first black county to gain independence.
America:
You probably have heard of American sending aide to Haiti. These are some of the examples of how that "aide" worked. When the Clintons were in power they put a restriction on the sale of rice in America. However, they didn't want it to go to waste so they decided to send it to Haiti. Haiti has very few crops, one being brown rice. The US decided to send their white rice to Haiti and undercut the price thinking this was going to be a big help. Not only is white rice less nutritious, but now there is no rice industry in Haiti. Noone would pay for the brown rice because it was more expensive. To this day the bags of rice have an American Flag on the front of it and everyone eats white rice.
Obama decided the best way to help was to send 7 school buses to Haiti. If you'll remember, the kids don't get to go to school and it certainly does not help feed their belly's. The US has sent Marines into Haiti on occasion. Each instance has resulted in cruelty to the people there. Numerous pictures showing our Marines beheading and torturing the people as a way of forcing them to do what we want them to do.
A lot of this was very disturbing to me. But if you research the information it is all correct. What a tragedy we've been a part of . I asked our group leader why we celebrate Columbus when he literally committed genocide. She said there are many factions who are trying to rescind the tradition of honoring him in light of actions in Haiti.
This was a very difficult trip, both physically and emotionally. Just surviving the heat and humidity and lack of "normal conveniences" was hard-and to think these people do this every single day on a much more difficult scale. I'm hopeful that by providing this insight will help us gain a greater understanding of our own actions and an appreciation every day for the blessings of this promised land.
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