What if the world’s first Black emperor wasn’t seen as a hero — but as a mystery? In this episode, Le Joseph digs deep into an 1809 British article from The Christian Observer titled “Memoranda Respecting Hayti” — one of the earliest foreign portrayals of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the founding father of Haiti.

Through translation, commentary, and reflection, this episode takes you beyond the myths and monuments to explore how Dessalines looked through the eyes of those who feared him, misunderstood him, and yet couldn’t ignore him.

We’ll read the original 19th-century text, translate it into Haitian Creole, and break down what it says — and what it hides — about Haiti’s independence, freedom, and the man who made it possible.

🎙 Topics in this episode:

• Dessali ...