A Historical Perspective on "The Future of the World in Haiti"

The Haitian Blogger has re-posted a piece by Melanie Newton, a Barbadian and an Associate Professor of History at the University of Toronto, which looks at the current post-disaster situation within the framework of the historical, political problems of Haiti.  While the piece may not be of interest to all of our readers, we are providing a link to the article for those who wish to read a condensed explanation of the complex and troubled past of Haitian government and the relevance of past failures the current crisis. 

As a soon to be history major graduate of Rice University, I am taking a course on Caribbean Natural Disasters (it actually began one week before the earthquake in January!), and I find this perspective important to those who wish to understand the deeper problems, difficulties, and politics of recovery, relief, and international involvement during this crisis.  In attempting to improve the lives of the children at St. Vincent and Haitians in general, we with the WTN Haiti Partnership and in the United States must be aware of the past in Haiti, both its rich cultural history and its troubled political and economic legacy.

Stephen Nelson