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Bob's avatar

Yes, an episode about Haiti (and maybe all of Hispañola) would be most welcome!

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Ben Tumin's avatar

Thanks, Bob! Good point about all of Hispañola—I'm curious to learn more, too. I'll add the whole island to my list of future topics to explore.

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Beth B's avatar

Yes, I WOULD be interested in learning more about this in a episode of SH! Thank you!

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Ben Tumin's avatar

Your wish is my command, Beth! Thanks for your curiosity :)

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Kate O'Neill's avatar

Most of this is news to me. When did the Dominican Republic enter the story? Why is it a divided island?

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Ben Tumin's avatar

Lots of it was news to me, too! And your questions seem like a good entry point into an episode of SH (ie I am curious to learn more, too.) But I know the Spanish and French divided the island into two in the late 1600s, the US occupation of Haiti that began in 1915 soon extended into the DR (and lasted until 1924), and that Rafael Trujillo, who ruled the DR with an iron fist from 1930 to 1961, received early training from the Marines as a member of the "Constabulary Guard" 😬

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Kate O'Neill's avatar

So many ugly histories caused by us. It's a shonda!

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