Two Centuries Later: Haiti Seeks Justice and Reparations for France's Historic Heist

A 1825 French engraving illustrates King Charles X granting freedom to a Black man in chains, representing Haiti's complex history. In 2002, former Haitian president Aristide demanded $22 billion from France for an indemnity imposed in exchange for independence. As the bicentennial approaches, calls for reparations intensify, notably from figures like Naomi Osaka. Scholars like Marlene L. Daut emphasize the devastating economic impacts Haiti faced due to this extortionate debt, advocating for recognition and reparations as a necessary step towards justice.