The Rev. Pat Robertson needs a history lesson about Haiti.
 
Robertson played the fool again when a disaster occurred. The earthquake that devastated the western side of Hispaniola [Dominican Republic shares the island with Haiti] happened because its citizens of African descent “made a deal with the devil” said the Rev. in order to free themselves from French colonizers. Since 1804, said Robertson, the second republic in the Western Hemisphere has been cursed.
 
Robertson should consider an alternate scenario: The true devilish behavior was two centuries of U.S. foreign policy that affectively punished and impoverished the country.
 
U.S. intentions were clear. Two decades after its successful American Revolution that jettisoned the British, Haitians followed suit and overthrew the French, then proclaimed independence in January 1804.
 
Becoming a neighboring republic of the young United States however presented a problem. The majority of black inhabitants in America were enslaved; others were free but did not have citizen rights. An independent black country off America’s shores could fire up the slaves.
 
During the protracted slave revolt in Haiti [St. Dominigue was its colonial name] Vice President Thomas Jefferson watched warily. The slave owner wrote in 1797, “If something is not done and done soon, we shall be the murderers of our own children.”
 
After 1801, President Jefferson fostered hostile relations with Haiti to keep the young nation weak. The United States did not officially recognize Haitian independence until 1862.
 
Over generations Haiti was invaded or occupied by U.S. forces whenever there was a hint of independent uprising and brutal dictators had to suit American leaders’ approval. Haiti was occupied long term by U.S. forces from 1915 to 1934.
The Haiti that received sympathetic U.S. treatment at the end of the 20th century was a basket case that posed no threat here.
 
While Americans look eastward to wretched Haiti, most don’t appreciate the gift that country indirectly gave the United States during Jefferson’s presidency. As the Haitians dispatched the French, they weakened the European colonizers. The result was one of the greatest going-out-of-business sales in Western history: The Louisiana Purchase, where France sold territory it claimed in what are now the Deep South, Midwest and Pacific Northwest to America for $15 million.
 
Tell Haitians “you’re welcome” American citizens.
 
Haitians have been bullied and abused for generations by their neighbor the United States. They are so impoverished environmental disaster was inevitable. Haitians burn trees to make coal for fuel. The deforestation is responsible for the landslides that have compounded the earthquake damage. Sadly, the natural disaster happened when Haiti was in a period of relative political calm. Now its citizens must cope with new trauma.
 
Haiti needs Americans’ prayers, relief help and expertise, not crackpot statements about “deals with the devil” from that disturbed public figure in Virginia Beach.                     
 
Contributing writer Wayne Dawkins is an assistant professor at Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. Wdawkins4bj@aol.com