By: Anja VanderZee
This week I will be discussing inequality and nationalism in Haiti. The problem of income inequality in Haiti is very prevalent and has had devastating effects on many. One of the most severe and noticeable gaps is between urban and rural areas, “Almost 70% of rural households are considered chronically poor, against a little over 20% in cities.” (The World Bank, 2014). This number means that many of the residents in the countryside are lacking access to essential resources and are living below the poverty line. While those in the cities have more access to essential goods, there are improvements in the metropolitan areas. Additionally, the severe threat of natural disasters affects these communities greatly “In turn, the destruction of buildings and crops, a major source of income for Haitians, cost the country greatly” (Olivia Booth, 2018). While these communities are already impoverished, these storms can create incredible setbacks in terms of money and devastation for the Haitian people.
In terms of nationalism, Haiti has a very interesting history that involves many different countries and revolutions. “Haiti, whose population is almost entirely descended from African slaves, won independence from France in 1804, making it the second country in the Americas, after the United States, to free itself from colonial rule.” (Britannica, 2022). In the decades following after, Haiti would face many economic and social problems that would contribute to the inequality. There is much upset regarding the governing factors in Haiti and there are frequent protests and movements against them.
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/haiti