Haiti
Haitian inspiration: On the bicentenary of Haiti’s independence
First published in Radical Philosophy, and hacked by Abahlali baseMjondolo, this short essay explores the power and meaning of the Haitian Revolution for us now.
Two hundred years ago this month (January 2004), the French colony of Saint-Domingue on the island of Hispaniola became the independent nation of Haiti. Few transformations in world history have been more momentous, few required more sacrifice or promised more hope.
Haiti's deadly class divide
Driving into Cite Soley on January 8th, the day Haitians were supposed to go to the polls in a presidential election, there is no mistaking the fact that we are entering an occupied zone.
The streets are almost deserted, the atmosphere tense, and UN armored personnel carriers patrol the streets.
Haiti: UN commander commits suicide amid controversy
Amid tremendous controversy over Haiti's security situation and the on-again, off-again elections, the military commander of UN forces in this beleaguered nation apparently took his own life early Saturday morning.
After having assumed command of the UN military mission less then four months ago, the body of Brazilian officer Lt. Gen. Urano Teixeira da Matta Bacellar was found sprawled out on the balcony of the Hotel Montana, the apparent victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
