2010 Black History Month

An estimated 200,000 people have died after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the island nation of Haiti on Jan. 12. One million people are homeless, according to the U.N. and untold numbers of children are now orphaned.

This natural disaster is rooted in the economic and military intervention by those who hate to see Black people free.

As abolitionist Frederick Douglass, a U.S. Minister to Haiti said once, the "revolutionary spirit of Haiti is her curse, her crime, her greatest calamity and the explanation of the limited condition of her civilization."

Although the U.S. was in the infancy of its own freedom, slaveholders feared the revolutionary spirit would infect the slaves of its own shores. In fact, uprisings led by enslaved Africans increased following 1791, the beginning of the Haitian Revolution. Evidence shows that freedom fighter Denmark Vessey even expected forces from Haiti to back his slave revolt.

When Haiti won its independence from France in 1804, it became first Black Republic in the world and second republic in the western hemisphere, after the U.S.

France refused to recognize the Republic governed by its former slaves, and forced it into debt by making Haiti pay reparations. Freedom really isn't free.

Britain, France and the United States imposed an economic embargo until Haiti paid the same country that it previously provided free labor for. Instead of thanking Haiti for opening the doors for the Louisiana Purchase, the U.S. sided with its former colonial British masters to economically enslave Haiti. Still, Haiti survived.

And after nearly a century of stability, the U.S. intervened in Haitian affairs both economically and militarily. Soon after the taking control of Haiti's central bank, the U.S. began its first military occupation of Haiti under President Woodrow Wilson.

The U.S. later withdrew, but has had a love-hate relationship with Haitian dictators-those who supported neo-slavery of the Haitian people.

The urban area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, had a poor infrastructure before the ground shook. Millions recently had migrated to the capital for jobs in sweatshops.

In 2004, U.S. Marines kidnapped Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide due to his plans for reform.

Haiti was already a tragedy before the earthquake. Instead of sending aid, the U.S. sent troops with guns.

The media rexaggerated claims of violence and looting, when people were just hungry. The portrayal attempts to reduce sympathy for Haiti and justifies the militarized response as necessary to keep the "savages" in line.

It also sets the groundwork for the continued occupation of Haiti. It is reported that Haiti is the "most impoverish nation" in the hemisphere, yet the country is rich with gold, silver, bauxite and uranium. And Bloomberg News Service recently reported that the earthquake has uncovered petroleum reserves.

The Haitian people must be in charge of their own relief and recovery efforts. Haiti must have sovereignty and self-determination. Venezuela recently forgave Haiti's debt. The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the U.S. should do the same. The U.S. has a historical obligation to allow Haiti to lead and benefit from rebuilding efforts. If they don't have food, water or medical training, U.S. troops need to leave Haiti now.

Douglass once said, "Haiti is black, and we have not yet forgiven Haiti for being black."

We don't have to forgive Haiti for its beautiful Blackness. Give reverence and continue to give relief (even after the cameras leave).

But don't hate Haiti because it's Black.