Recalling History, Reframing Haiti

I spotted this quote on the Web. I found it interesting that Mr. Wendell, a well-off Harvard man of the 1800s would say this about Haiti. It seems so ultra, ultra-progressive. Nonetheless, here’s my attempt at changing the conversation. God if you’re listening, how about a moratorium on natural disasters for us (meaning black people, or any people) for a little while. Many of us are still grieving Katrina…

“Some doubt the courage of the Negro.Go to Haiti and stand on those fifty thousand graves of the best soldiers France ever had, and ask them what they think of the Negro’s sword.”

-Phillips Wendell
Address on Toussaint L’Ouverture, referring to theWar of Haitian Independence, 1804.