Rest in peace, Chavez. I hope the "Bolivarian Revolution" continues under Maduro, despite all its faults. This man of African and indigenous ancestry knew about Venezuela's debts to Haiti very well and was far more interested in promoting solidarity and providing cheap petrol to poor Caribbean and Latin American countries. Alas, if only Bolivar and the white creoles of revolutionary Venezuela and Colombia stood by Haiti when it mattered, then perhaps the history of the circum-Caribbean would look very different. The people of Haiti and Latin America more broadly must stand together against imperialism and neoliberalism. Without a doubt in my mind, Chavez was a better force for good in the region than what we see now.
"Alas, if only Bolivar and the white creoles of revolutionary Venezuela and Colombia stood by Haiti when it mattered, then perhaps the history of the circum-Caribbean would look very different." Really? Do you realize that you are saying that they should have stopped being themselves? Say why don't you do some research on the Haitian volunteers who fought under Bolivar? I read about one who became a big shot and sent his brother in Haiti a printing press, unfortunately I don't recall his name.
ReplyDeleteHmm. That would be 'virgin' ground for the most part and very interesting. I'll look into it (though without access to university databases, libraries, etc. it will be difficult).
DeleteYes, I know, white creoles have always used blacks and non-whites as mules in Latin America, but people can and do change! I think Betances was genuine and different from, say, Bolivar or Miranda.
Betances was different because the man could have been classified as not white. He must have reflected on his status and found it absurd since he would have been the same person regardless of his classification.
DeleteTrue, although to me he looks 'white.'
DeleteGreat. Nice to see that you are coming to my point of view on that issue, i.e. if he or she looks Asian/Black/White or whatever, than that's what he or she is. Use of any special terminology should be reserved for those you know better and don't wish to offend.
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