Haitians are still feeling the backlash for the successful revolution their ancestors initiated in 1791. Before their self-liberation, this French colony was the world's most lucrative sugar and coffee producer. As a result, many white people resented their victory. Even more than the economic loss, the Haitian Revolution frightened many enslavers, as it represented an example of Black people successfully overthrowing their oppressors. To justify slavery, French colonists argued Africans in Haiti were barbaric. Sadly, we're seeing the same racist, xenophobic rhetoric espoused by some modern-day American politicians. To garner support for anti-immigration policies, for instance, J.D. Vance, the Republican Vice President nominee, parroted a debunked myth about Haitian immigrants, suggesting "people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country." Former President Donald Trump also parroted this talking point in his debate against Kamala Harris, claiming, "They're eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what's happening in our country. And it's a shame." We should consider the impact of such statements and where they come from.
The myth about Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets began at a Springfield City Commission Meeting, where Nathanial Higgers, a member of a Neo-Nazi group, Blood Pride, and head of the anti-Haitian immigration march in Ohio, first perpetuated the rumor. There, he laid the foundation, suggesting "crime and savagery will only increase with every Haitian you bring in," referring to the group of migrants as "violent and unruly outsiders." This stereotyping is common among white supremacists who seek to justify their degradation of Black people and is doubly so when applied to Haitians because of their foreign-born status. Despite Haitians having a low asylum approval rate, some suggest, without evidence, that their numbers are rapidly increasing and that Americans should be frightened by demographic changes. However, there is no evidence that Haitians are systematically harming Americans. Or their pets.
Far too often, the foreign-born status and racial identity of Haitian immigrants are used as a precursor to deprive them of basic human rights and diminish support for allocating resources for their community. While many dismiss such rhetoric as extremist and not representative of broader American attitudes, we should keep in mind that Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, the Republicans vying for the top two seats of power in this country, are openly parroting these racist stereotypes. Millions of Americans support their campaign and their attitudes toward immigrants and Black people. However, othering a group of people is a recipe for disaster in a diverse nation. Falsely accusing immigrants of stealing people's pets and eating them is an effort to exploit what Americans don't know about Haitians to fill that void.
"When there is a lack of contact between racial groups, people tend to rely on media stereotypes to formulate ideas about people outside of their own race," wrote N. W. Yuen. "Now, imagine the harm of perpetuating that myth among millions of white Americans — it's an effort to promote fear and harden negative racist, xenophobic attitudes that can ultimately harm the Haitian community. We must consider the impact of politicians normalizing such rhetoric and its origin.
White supremacists have long utilized this presumption that Black people are uncivilized to justify perpetuating harm against various ethnic groups, such as those enslaved in America. However, in terms of Haitians, the disrespect seems to reflect their anger over their liberated status. Thus, diminishing them publicly is a way to belittle their gains, and repeating falsehoods about them helps to manufacture public support for anti-immigration policies. Consider what French military leader Napolean Bonaparte noted during the war with Haiti, saying, "My decision to destroy the authority of the Blacks in Saint Domingue is not so much based on consideration for commerce and money…as on the need to block forever the forward march of Blacks in the world."
"Black insurgents formed the first independent nation of ex-slaves in the Americas, which they renamed Haiti," wrote Paul F. Lachance. Since then, this nation has always been associated with revolution throughout the international community. Thus, people's attitudes regarding black liberation often reveal their feelings toward Haiti. For instance, William Claiborne, governor of the Territory of Orleans, wrote in 1810, months before the 1811 German Coast Uprising, the largest in American history, expressing fear of the turmoil Haitians and Cubans would bring to the French colony. "I must confess I am not without apprehensions that disorders and disturbances may arise," complaining that "free men of color, in and near New Orleans," were "capable of bearing arms," lamenting that "in a country like this, where the negro population is considerable, they should be carefully watched." White plantation owners feared the migration of thousands of Haitians to Louisiana. Initially, enslaved Haitians were "detained on ships" because of a law banning foreign slaves. However, political pressure on Claiborne finally allowed Black "refugees to disembark." Thomas Jefferson, the third president, sought to "isolate Haiti diplomatically and strangle it economically, fearing that the success" could "inspire slave revolts back home."
Despite the predictable nature of the anti-Haitian narrative, we can't afford to ignore racism targeting Haitian immigrants. Doing so only serves to normalize the perpetuation of stereotypes in our daily discourse. J.D. Vance claimed his office received numerous inquiries from Springfield residents "who've said their neighbor's pet or local wildlife were abducted by Haitian migrants," saying that it's possible "these rumors turn out to be false." Still, he claimed the rise of their immigration is associated with the rise of "communicable diseases — like TB and HIV," continuing to spread misinformation in a viral post.
Promoting misinformation is not harmless; it's exceedingly harmful, as it poisons the well of racial discourse. It shows that race, not just country of origin, impacts the experiences of immigrants. Haiti is controversial today for the same reason it caused pearl-clutching after the revolution: it represents black liberation. Despite the turmoil the nation has and continues to face, Haitians' pursuit of independence is admirable. The international community should not set out to isolate the country or alienate its citizens. Efforts to dehumanize those seeking asylum can only be described as barbaric, which is rather ironic given the accusations thrown at them.
This post originally appeared on Medium and is edited and republished with author's permission. Read more of Allison Gaines' work on Medium.