American and Haitian History

American and Haitian history, though different in many ways, are frighteningly similar in other ways.

Both the U.S. and Haitian nations were created by violent revolutions and both nations have been plagued by excessive violence ever since.  Unfortunately, neither country was led into freedom non-violently by a Gandhi or a Mandela.

The Haitian Revolution---1804---eliminated French physical slavery.
The American Revolution---1776---did not eliminate American physical slavery; only 84 years later was slavery eliminated by an exceedingly violent Civil War.

Though both Haitian and U.S. citizens loudly celebrate freedom, the freedom gained was shallow because it was not accompanied by justice.

In the U.S., the rich British elite was replaced by a rich American elite.  In Haiti, the French elite was replaced by a rich Haitian elite.

In the U.S., slavery was replaced by segregation, sharecropping, prison gangs, and lynching.  In Haiti, slavery was replaced by debt slavery to the French for over 100 years.

Today, the U.S. is dominated by a Wall Street elite that oppresses poor blacks and whites.  Today, Haiti is dominated by a Haitian political/economic elite that oppress the poor; often the U.S. and Haitian elites cooperate in their oppression.

In neither country does the church preach and practice the kingdom of God as Jubilee justice for the oppressed poor.  In both countries, the church neglects justice and the love of God.