Noam Chomsky argues that France and the United States bear significant responsibility for the suffering of Haiti due to their colonial and post-colonial actions. He emphasizes that these countries have benefited from their exploitation of Haiti, which has resulted in a considerable economic disparity. Chomsky suggests that true acknowledgment of past wrongs would require a heartfelt apology and reparations, which are currently lacking.

According to Chomsky, simply expressing regret is insufficient and risks merely alleviating the guilt of the perpetrators without addressing the core issues. He advocates for a more profound recognition of these historical injustices, stating that civilization demands accountability and reparative justice to the Haitian people. Without this recognition and reparation, the path to genuine civilization remains elusive.