I was posting this in another discussion today and thought others might also enjoy it.

This is easily the most informative – and moving – piece I have ever read on Haiti. It began as a journalist’s attempt to tally the actual numbers involved in all the money that has left Haiti over the centuries in unjust “reparations” to France – essentially, having the slaves that freed themselves repay the value of their own bodies and labor to France – and ended up being a great deal more.

This article also explores how it wasn’t just the loss of Haiti’s cash to France that has vastly impoverished Haiti and prevented its growth at the same rate as its Caribbean neighbors, but the parallel loss of not having any of that cash invested in its own people, commerce, or society: it was a crippling double blow that has gone on for centuries.

While this is a very long read, it is a deep and accurate dive into the French history, endless threats of war and repayments, and then the US coming into take whatever was left in the 20th century. And the pictures and illustrations are also incredibly good, especially the ruins of La Citadelle in the fog having just read exactly what it was there for.

If you’re interested in Haiti and the chaos that is going on there right now, this is an invaluable read.