The U.S. and Haiti have had a troublesome relationship but President Obama has a unique opportunity to right some historical wrongs and can do much to mend the history of suspicion between the two countries. We can name a few historical wounds: the U.S. occupation (1915- 1934,) U.S. support of corrupt Haitian leaders, and the imposition of devastating agricultural policies. The U.S. waited until 1862 to recognize Haiti’s independence.
We are asking the United States’ First Black President to visit the world’s First Black Republic. This visit would bring great hope, in particular to Haitian youth, both at home and abroad. As a beneficiary of Toussaint L’Ouverture’s audacity, it behooves Mr. Obama to visit the ancestral home of W.E.B. Dubois to water the roots of Toussaint’s liberty tree.
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