Andrew Hertzberg
In a meeting on immigration last week, President Trump allegedly referred to multiple places around the world as “shithole countries.”
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One those countries was Haiti, where according to people who were at the meeting, the President said: “Why do we need more Haitians? Take them out.”
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Multiple Illinois Democrats quickly reacted, specifically Senator Dick Durbin who called the president’s comments “vile,” “hate-filled,” and “racist.”
In addition to the obvious issues with the comments, Chicagoans might have taken even more of a problem with them, as the city was founded by a man from Haiti.
Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable is known for being the first resident of what we refer to as present day Chicago. While some parts of his life have been lost to history, a WBEZ story from a few years ago explored du Sable’s life and legacy.
He was born in Haiti (then still French colony Santa Domingo) around 1745, his father a French sailor and his mother a slave.
He moved to New Orleans in 1764 and made his way to the Eschecagou region around 1770. He built a trading post near where the Tribune Tower stands today.
He sold his property in 1800, although it’s not entirely known why. He moved to a farm in Peoria and eventually Missouri where he passed away in 1818.
The City of Chicago didn’t officially recognize du Sable until 1912 when a plaque made commemorating where his trading post had stood. In 2009, a bronze bust was created to further memorialize his legacy.
More and more places around the city eventually paid tribute to him, including the Du Sable Museum of African American History on Hyde Park.
Today, in light of Trump’s comments about Haiti, Chicagoans and others have found a renewed pride in the city’s connection to Haiti.
Grateful for Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable, “Founder of Chicago”—and Haitian immigrant. We are a nation of immigrants, who have made America great. We continue to be enriched by the gifts they bring to our shores.
— Cardinal Cupich (@CardinalBCupich) January 12, 2018
"Founder of Chicago" Jean Baptiste Point du Sable of Haitian descent was the first permanent resident of what became Chicago, Illinois. Born in Saint-Marc, Haiti in 1745 he settled in Chicago and built a Fort circa. 1790 where your Trump Tower is today. 😲#HaitianHistory pic.twitter.com/jbT0KxEUrw
— James YepEnuffSayd (@JamesSayd) January 15, 2018
Haiti stood with the U.S. in the Revolutionary War. Haitian immigrant Jean Baptiste Point du Sable is considered the first non-indigenous permanent resident of Chicago. The only hole I see here is in some people's knowledge and memory. pic.twitter.com/rt9jPHoDtX
— Maureen O'Donnell (@suntimesobits) January 12, 2018
.@realDonaldTrump meet Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, founder of the City of Chicago.
Born in the “shithole”the rest of us call HAITI! pic.twitter.com/3LOC3Lh0lu
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) January 13, 2018
Even Mayor Rahm Emanuel, during a speech last Friday at the 32nd Annual MLK Interfaith Breakfast, spoke of the legacy of du Sable.
As we reflect on the message and the life of Dr. King, we honor our shared history as a city—founded by a Haitian immigrant—and as a nation that welcomes people who believe that tomorrow can be better than today. #ChicagoisOne #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/rzBOK6qQO2
— Archive: Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@MayorRahm) January 12, 2018
