Colorism and Conflict: A Lesson from Haiti’s History
The conflict between blacks and mulattos in Haiti is an aspect of the revolution which I think must be carefully studied because it demonstrates the how the policy of divide and rule has historically been used against African people.
Vincent Oge was a mixed race man who advocated for the advancement of mulattos in Haiti. He did not speak out for enslaved blacks, but he was tortured to death nonetheless. He did not realize that where the French were concerned, mulattoes were no different than black people. The brutalities which were inflicted on mulattoes forced them into joining the black revolutionaries, but this was an uneasy union which quickly deteriorated. Jean-Jacques Dessalines tried to unite the two groups, but he found little success.
The one-drop rule which states that anyone with a drop of black blood should be regarded as black is unique to the United States. Everywhere else, there was a deliberate attempt to foster division between blacks and mulattoes. Haiti stands out because this divide and conquer policy led to violent confrontation between the two groups over which one was to hold power in Haiti.
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Dwayne is the author of One Caribbean and Other Essays
