Stuart Hall's documentary series episode on Haiti is, of course, too short, but a good introduction to Haiti from the great Caribbean scholar. The documentary also challenges the stereotypes of Henri Christophe's rule and the interviewed Haitian scholar alludes to Baron de Vastey's allusions to African architectural genius and grandeur resurfacing in the monuments of Christophe's Haiti. Unfortunately, the film tries to fit Haiti into a transplanted Africa in the Americas that was isolated from the rest of the world. Watch the second part of the video here, which discusses Haitian art.
Interesting series, thank you for sharing. I have to agree with you when you mention that "unfortunately, the film tries to fit Haiti into a transplanted Africa in the Americas that was isolated from the rest of the world." This is a position that I see taken all too often in the English speaking world. I find it problematic not only because it is usually very ideologically driven but, also since it fails to capture the nature of the complex set of relationships Haiti has forged with her neighbours North and South.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm a little surprised that Stuart Hall narrated an episode like that that minimized cultural diversity in Haiti. I still want to read more of his work though.
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