Who will defend the Haitian people? | Opinion

On Jan. 1, 1804, Haiti entered world history as the first independent Black republic. This triumph over slavery and colonial oppression was more than a political victory—it was a human revolution, a reclamation of dignity. Yet two centuries later, Haitians find themselves defenseless, unprotected and voiceless on the global stage.

From its inception, our nation was shackled by an “independence debt,” extorted by France as the price of recognition. This historical blackmail drained our economy and stunted social progress for more than a century. Even today, that invisible burden lingers, haunting our present.

Over time, the Haitian state has unraveled. Institutions are fragile. Leaders, weak or corrupt. National priorities disregarded. Our diplomacy has withered into silence—unable to defend Haitian rights abroad or to assert a foreign policy rooted in our sovereignty.

Those who seek respect must first earn it. Haitians, at home and abroad, cannot rely on pity or charity. We must collectively reclaim our destiny. This begins with education. A truly Haitian education—centered on our culture, history, language and lived realities—must serve as the foundation for a new civic consciousness. A people without a robust national education are defenseless in the face of adversity.

Today, Haitians are hunted, expelled, banned and rejected—often in the name of “security” and “sovereignty” by those who profit from our suffering. Rigid migration policies block our exodus even as we flee poverty, violence, corruption and exclusion. Once a symbol of strength and determination, Haitians are becoming a wandering people—driven from everywhere.

But who will defend us?

Who will reassert the truth of our glorious past, confront our complex present and envision our possible future?

When will we decide to seize our destiny, demanding respect without waiting for validation from foreign powers—powers too often complicit in our despair?

In today’s globalized world, reciprocity and fair exchange are non-negotiable. Haitians must not beg for respect; we must demand it. History remembers our sacrifices—Haitians shedding blood for the freedom of others in South America, Savannah and Africa. Our solidarity was real. Respect must be too.

Yet the international community remains ambiguous—generous in rhetoric, destructive in action. We must break with the hypocrisy of “friendly” nations that peddle ineffective, even toxic solutions without considering Haiti’s political, economic, social and anthropological realities.

We need allies, not masters. Solidarity, not interference. Cooperation, not domination.

The Haitian people deserve better. We deserve respect, dignity, justice and an equal place among nations. But for that to happen, we must rise, unite, know ourselves and recognize our worth.

Who will defend the Haitian people, if not ourselves?

Because no one else will save us.

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