Caribbean Nations Seek Reparations for Slavery and Native Genocide

[Igel]

5. Don't ignore the last 120 years.

Yes, deforestation happened because of reparations payment in timber. For that, we can blame imperialism. However, I've been around clear-cut land that's just used for timber and nothing else--and 10, 15, 20 years after it's clearcut you know what's there? Trees.

Yes, deforestation happened because of monoculture. Some before breaking with France, but a lot of it after breaking with France. For that we can blame some small landowners but also large land holders.

Yes, deforestation happened *and accelerated* in the 20th century because Haitians used a lot of charcoal, and that comes from wood. For that we can blame commoners.

After that, we can blame ecological degradation that helps keep woodlands and shrublands from recovering.

Blaming imperialism doesn't explain the current state of affairs nor does it explain why it's not improving. It's an answer that prevents a solution.