OPINION: Why is city honoring Haiti’s blood-stained emperor?
With a notable lack of thought and discussion, the New York City Council voted on Wednesday to co-name a Brooklyn street in honor of Jean Jacques Dessalines, a controversial Haitian hero.
Dessalines became emperor of Haiti after the successful war for independence against the French Army in 1804. He is also credited with the massacre of thousands of French men, women and children in an act of bloodthirsty revenge.
At a time when Virginia, North Carolina, and other southern states are caught up in a debate about what to do about monuments honoring Confederate war heroes, it is regrettable that the Council is dashing headfirst into honoring a man accused of mass slaughter.