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| The Great Heritage of Haiti |
Jean Jacques Dessalines continued the revolution after Toussaint’s death and became the first emperor of
Haiti.Henri Christophe became president and later king of north Haiti in 1811 after Dessanlines’ death. The
twelve-year-old drummer boy statue in the Haitian monument is that of Henri Christophe who also built the
world famous Citadelle, which is the largest stone structure in the western hemisphere. It is an 8th wonder of
the world sitting atop a 3,500 foot mountain overlooking Cap Haitien. The castle was constructed in the form of
a ship.
The world now turns its eyes on Haiti, and many wonder why the country was so poor even before this latest
catastrophe. International trade embargos were placed on Haiti that kept the country isolated and struggling, all
while being continually drained of its natural resources. The country’s physical link to the long prosperous
Dominican Republic has had little to no bearing on its state of affairs. The Dominican is historically a largely
mulatto (mixed race) populated country that has always had a cultural, political, and economic disconnect from
Haiti.
Haiti.Henri Christophe became president and later king of north Haiti in 1811 after Dessanlines’ death. The
twelve-year-old drummer boy statue in the Haitian monument is that of Henri Christophe who also built the
world famous Citadelle, which is the largest stone structure in the western hemisphere. It is an 8th wonder of
the world sitting atop a 3,500 foot mountain overlooking Cap Haitien. The castle was constructed in the form of
a ship.
The world now turns its eyes on Haiti, and many wonder why the country was so poor even before this latest
catastrophe. International trade embargos were placed on Haiti that kept the country isolated and struggling, all
while being continually drained of its natural resources. The country’s physical link to the long prosperous
Dominican Republic has had little to no bearing on its state of affairs. The Dominican is historically a largely
mulatto (mixed race) populated country that has always had a cultural, political, and economic disconnect from
Haiti.
Too little is appreciated or
known of the amazing history
of Haiti, to which Savannah
has a unique connection. The
Haitian Monument (Chasseurs-
Volontaires) in Franklin Square
downtown represents the 750
black French volunteers who
helped fight for America’s
freedom during the
known of the amazing history
of Haiti, to which Savannah
has a unique connection. The
Haitian Monument (Chasseurs-
Volontaires) in Franklin Square
downtown represents the 750
black French volunteers who
helped fight for America’s
freedom during the
Revolutionary War.Three of
the statues from the
monument are of Toussaint
L’Overture, Jean Jacques
Dessalines, and Henri
Christophe. Toussaint L’
Overture later led the
Haitian Revolution in 1791.
Haiti’s fierce militia defeated
the French, Spanish, and
British armies.
the statues from the
monument are of Toussaint
L’Overture, Jean Jacques
Dessalines, and Henri
Christophe. Toussaint L’
Overture later led the
Haitian Revolution in 1791.
Haiti’s fierce militia defeated
the French, Spanish, and
British armies.
As a condition of
independence, Haiti had to
agree to repay France for lost
slave revenue. Furthermore,
many of the region’s
ineffective, harmful rulers were
actually directed by leaders of
numerous developed
countries. Haiti posed the
greatest threat to rich nations
that possessed majority
populations of slaves or
oppressed peoples. After all
Haiti’s suffering at the hands
independence, Haiti had to
agree to repay France for lost
slave revenue. Furthermore,
many of the region’s
ineffective, harmful rulers were
actually directed by leaders of
numerous developed
countries. Haiti posed the
greatest threat to rich nations
that possessed majority
populations of slaves or
oppressed peoples. After all
Haiti’s suffering at the hands
of France and the U.S., they
maintained their humanity and
indomitable spirit of the ancient
Africans and Native Tainos. How
would America or any other
European culture fair under such
uneven, treacherous
circumstances without an
infrastructure built on centuries
of slavery, international trade,
and support? Haitians don’t
need our pity. Compassion and
reverence are what they're owed.
maintained their humanity and
indomitable spirit of the ancient
Africans and Native Tainos. How
would America or any other
European culture fair under such
uneven, treacherous
circumstances without an
infrastructure built on centuries
of slavery, international trade,
and support? Haitians don’t
need our pity. Compassion and
reverence are what they're owed.
| To donate to Haiti contact Pastor Hebron at the Christian Revival Center 912-233-3545 |
January 2010
by Brenda Walker
SOUTHERN SCENE MAGAZINE