All across our televisions we are watching horrific scenes of devastation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The loss of life is sure to be in the ten thousands if not hundreds of thousands, as of press time the official toll was at 50,000. Although many people will understandably sympathize for the Haitian people, we cannot ignore the fact that this restless island has been abandoned by much of the world for much of its existence.

The United States has a peculiar history with Haiti. Much of US policy towards Haiti is purely based on US self-interest. Over the course of Haiti’s history, the United States saw the bloodshed, destitution and disease, but failed to act. Only when US interests were affected did it intervene.

Similar to US motivations in occupying present day Iraq, the US also occupied Haiti from 1915 to 1934. In 1910, the US government worked with American investors to create the Banque National d'Haïti. It was the nation's only commercial bank and served as the government's treasury. Unfortunately, the bank was not created for the Haitian people, it was established as a profitable opportunity for the US. Five years later, in a bloody revolt, Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam established a dictatorship and took over the country. He massacred 167 political prisoners, all of whom were from influential families. While this bloodshed tore the island apart, the US stood still. Later when Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam threatened American business interests, specifically the newly established bank, the US was finally motivated to get involved. In response, US President Woodrow Wilson sent 330 U.S. Marines to Port-au-Prince on July 28, 1915. Their mandate was to "protect American and foreign" interests.

Fearing public backlash, the US labeled the invasion as a mission to “re-establish peace and order”. Yet, the real goal was to preserve continuing American economic dominance over Haiti. The United States is just one country in a long line of others that took advantage of the small island nation.
Like the US invasion of 1915, the most recent challenges facing Haiti are part of a continuum. Its history is lined with issues of corrupt political systems; lack of a social infrastructure, inadequate roads, poor water systems, sewerage issues, inferior medical services and high unemployment.

As recently as 2004, former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's departed Haiti under a coup attempt and left behind a country in chaos. Before Aristide, Haiti was unofficially governed largely by groups of military rebels.

As early as the 1800’s, Haiti's history is tainted with poverty, fear and chaos. Since it’s independence in 1804, this small island country has seen 33 coups.

Yet, given this tragic past, the majority of the Haitian people are the sweetest, most hardworking, spiritual and industrious people you will ever meet.