The Moody Republic and the Men in Her Life: François Duvalier, African-Americans, and Haitian Exiles

Abstract

This chapter explores the complex relations between African Americans, Haitian exiles, and the Haitian state during the early period of the Duvalier regime in Haiti.¹ It examines how competing visions of Haitian development, Pan-Americanism and US-Haitian relations were debated and shaped within and between these communities in response to Duvalier’s rule. While the Haitian exile groups were invariably anti-Duvalierist and pursued a vigorous campaign against the Haitian leader within the United States, African American responses to Duvalier were not so clear-cut. Indeed, in the early years of his rule, many within African American media, business and intellectual circles expressed public support for Duvalier and, by extension, criticism for those Haitian exiles who sought his downfall. Although some members of the black press were among the first to “raise the red flag” (Pamphile, 2001, p. 168) on state tyranny in Haiti, other significant voices defended the Duvalier administration as “the brightest hope for the future” of the country (Chicago Defender 1959). These competing viewpoints were often played out in the pages of the black press as the various interests sought to promote their particular political agendas and to influence the shape of US policy toward the Haitian state.

The Republic of Haiti is a beautiful woman waiting to be wooed. Unfortunately, her political behavior tends to scare away potential sweethearts, and on this fact alone rests the tale of the republic’s chronic economic woes

Evans, 1959a, p. 9