On the Road to Citizenship: The Complex Paths toward the Integration of Free People of Colour in the Two Capitals of Saint-Domingue
From TLP
Citation
Rogers, Dominique, Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, Martinique. "On the Road to Citizenship: The Complex Paths toward the Integration of Free People of Colour in the Two Capitals of Saint-Domingue." The Haitian Revolution: Viewed 200 Years After, an International Scholarly Conference. John Carter Brown Library, Providence, RI. June 18, 2004.
Notes
Following are rough notes of Rogers' speech, taken by Stuart Maxwell on June 18, 2004.
- In the ancien regime, only the elite imperial class could claim responsibility for shaping society - this was not the concern of the citizens. The citizens were merely to enjoy the benefits and responsibilities of society.
- Rogers describes the inequities between the blancs and the libertés de savanne. Punishments against the latter were much harsher. Especially after the Mackandal revolutions, the free blacks were ever more feared and repressed.
In response to questions:
- There were African-born free blacks, too, who managed to acquire wealth and status and pressured for equal treatment.
- There was no segregation in Saint-Domingue society. All races lived close together. In fact, the houses were square with a central well and oven. Many races were therefore living together and sharing facilities.
