Conversation with writer historian expert Michael Deibert
Here is Episode 20 of The Fading Causes Podcast asking, “What is tormenting Haiti?”
How did the first Black republic in the world, born from a successful slave revolution in 1804, become the dreadfully poor, fiendishly violent, and most corrupted country in the Americas?
The question puzzled me following my previous visits during some of Haiti’s darkest moments. So I ask Michael Deibert, award-winning historian and journalist, who loves the place and has written extensively about it. What does he find fascinating about somewhere that is a byword for distress and despair?
His thoughtful reflections on Haiti’s long descent from once being the West’s richest colony don’t just provide some keys to the riddle. They reveal, even more, the deep failures of global power and foreign interventions (including UN missions), aid and governance prescriptions. This can’t all be explained by fashionable critiques of colonialism. One wonders if Haiti ‘s geographical location, tucked into the groin of the United States has been a blessing or curse?
But beneath the uniquely Haitian chaos including its gangs and misunderstood Voodoo lies a vibrant culture and art, humour, resilience, and a deep-rooted identity shaped by African, French, and American influences. Haitians are not just victims, especially of latter-day abusive humanitarian and political efforts. Haiti’s art, music, and community spirit are powerfully creative forces for struggle and change.
Michael Deibert reminds us that what Haiti really needs is countering prevalent impunity and strengthening its basic institutions, not just exercising military might or injecting financial aid. The question remains: does Haiti’s future depend on more enlightened external salvation, or can Haitians be trusted and allowed to find their own way?
We could ask the same question of other messy contexts around the world where we know what is wrong but fail repeatedly to make it right. This is worth thinking about as you watch or listen to this gripping episode of Fading Causes.
