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2. Douglass's keen observations on Haiti's many firsts, failings
- Collection:
- Black Caribbean Literature (BCL)
- Contributers:
- Ibokette,Yolette (Author)
- Format:
- Newspaper Article
- Publication Date:
- Aug 2007
- Published:
- Dorchester, MA
- Location:
- African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Journal Title:
- Boston Haitian Reporter
- Journal Title Details:
- 8 : 7
- Notes:
- In this issue, we'll see why [Frederick Douglass] believed Haiti not only worried but scared slave-holding Americans. We'll also discuss why he believed Haiti is a country of "firsts" and his answers to critics that the country is doomed due to its roots in voodo. His actual words will be in italics. While slavery existed amongst us, Haiti's example was a sharp thorn in our side and a source of alarm and terror.
3. Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellion
- Collection:
- Black Caribbean Literature (BCL)
- Contributers:
- Rodriguez,Junius P. (Author)
- Format:
- Monograph
- Publication Date:
- 2007
- Published:
- Westport, CT: Greenwood Press
- Location:
- African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Notes:
- 2 vols
4. Frederick Douglass offered keen insights into Haiti's strengths, weaknesses
- Collection:
- Black Caribbean Literature (BCL)
- Contributers:
- Yolette Ibokette (Author)
- Format:
- Newspaper Article
- Publication Date:
- May 2007
- Published:
- Dorchester, MA
- Location:
- African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Journal Title:
- Boston Haitian Reporter
- Journal Title Details:
- 5 : 9
- Notes:
- [Frederick Douglass] lamented the fact that the U.S. continues to shun Haiti although it has enriched American merchants, farmers and the country overall. He acknowledged a common complaint of Americans at the time that Haiti was more friendly to France and other European countries than the U.S. However, he partly blamed the US for not reaching out to Haiti with respect and friendship. He also cited Haiti's many institutional and cultural connections to France - language, literature, laws and government - as reasons for its friendship with France. Still, Douglass asserted that the main reason for the United States' ambiguous attitude towards Haiti was racial. In discussing Haiti's geography, Douglass lavishly praises its climate; lofty mountains; strikingly beautiful valleys, lakes, rivers and plains; blue waters and the exquisite Bay of Portau-Prince and Mole St. Nicolas. Douglass noted that the U.S. wanted the Mole for a naval station in order to dominate the area's commercial market before and after the then anticipated Nicaragua Canal was completed. The U.S. was also considering taking the Mole by force, if necessary. However, Douglass warned them that Haiti would not peacefully give up the harbor and that it would cost too much to take it by force.
5. Haiti's role in abolition movement all but forgotten
- Collection:
- Black Caribbean Literature (BCL)
- Contributers:
- Concannon,Brian (Author)
- Format:
- Newspaper Article
- Publication Date:
- Aug 2007
- Published:
- Dorchester, MA
- Location:
- African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Journal Title:
- Boston Haitian Reporter
- Journal Title Details:
- 8 : 6
- Notes:
- Denying Haiti credit where credit is due is an established tradition. In 1893, at the end of the century that started with Haitian Independence and the Slave Trade Act, the orator, statesman and emancipated slave Frederick Douglass told an audience at the Chicago World's Fair how Haiti "taught the world the danger of slavery and the value of liberty." He pointed out that: The world had a chance to recognize Haiti three years ago, during the celebration of Haiti's bicentennial. But once again, Haiti was penalized. On the big day, January 1, 2004, Thabo Mbeki, President of the most powerful African nation, South Africa, came to celebrate. But the former slaveholding nations, led by the United States, boycotted the events, and forced the less powerful countries of Africa and the Caribbean to stay away. Instead of sending congratulations to the Haitian people's elected representatives, the United States sent guns and money to those trying to overthrow the government. When the international spotlight came to Haiti in 2004, it was to witness the return to dictatorship rather than to celebrate freedom from slavery.