The Agronomist - Jean Dominique

Haiti was the first post-colonial black-led independent nation in the world, as well as being the only nation whose independence was gained (in 1804) as part of a successful slave rebellion.

However, since then Haiti has been the site of almost never-ending tumult, particularly due to interventions by the French (to whom Haiti was forced to pay reparations until well into the 20th century) and the USA, who actually occupied Haiti from 1915 until 1934, and who has continued to significantly control the political reality of the country, typically by supporting one despot after another.

Many Haitians believe that there has been a deliberate agenda to make an example of this small country in order to punish it for its remarkably early revolt against both slavery and colonialism.

As a result, Haiti has become, along with Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Sudan, one of the most terrible places in the world to live in at this time.

Despite this fact and a long history of severe repression, there remains in Haiti an indominatable spirit and a long lineage of individuals relentlessly striving for freedom.

One of the most notable of these people was Jean Dominique, who ran Haiti's first independent radio station, Radio-Inter, despite operating within the environment of an extreme police state. Using this vehicle, Dominique fought for human rights, particularly for the downtrodden peasants, for many years until his murder at age 69 in 2000 due to his outspoken views promoting freedom and against corruption.

Jonathan Demme, who directed 'Silence of the Lambs' and 'Philadelphia' among many other films, made an acclaimed documentary about Dominque in 2003 entitled 'The Agronomist' (Dominique was initially an agronomist and became particularly radicalized after being jailed for trying to develop agricultural programs to empower the Haitian peasants).

This film gives a very informative overview of the history of repression in Haiti as well as a close personal look at this very courageous and heroic figure who just wouldn't be quiet, despite repeated threats against him.

For more about Jean Domique and his assassination please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Dominique , http://www.haitiaction.net/News/HP/4_5_0.html , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0_N-YHUO1A , and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fud9lPiisL4 (starting at about the 35th minute).

It is important, in reviewing Dominique's struggles and the horrors experienced by the Haitian people, to appreciate the instrumental role that the USA has played for a very long time in keeping its foot on the throats of those oppressed in Haiti.