Abstract

Over 200 years ago, the first independent Black Republic emerged from a small island in the Antilles. Enslaved peoples revolted against their foreign oppressors and allowed their new diverse culture to flourish freely. This culture showed references to the native Tiano’s who first encountered Columbus at the dawn of western colonization and found pride in its African lineage that for so long was kept away from them. The United States and Europe would continue to grow their sphere of influence through imperialism and the once thriving nation was now embroiled in economic and political conflicts. As a result, the relationship between the US and Haiti is complex and very little research exists examining this relationship and the emergence of the Haitian American identity. My research documents my Grandmother’s oral history characterizing her identity as a Haitian American and compiles a historical timeline illustrating the development of Haitian American culture.