Le Dessalinien

About Le Dessalinien

Shamir Joseph isn’t here to play nice or sugar‑coat Haiti’s reality. Off The Boat With Le Joseph is a raw, unapologetic podcast where a Haitian‑born, Queens‑based host dives into everything mainstream media would rather ignore. From exposing why Haiti’s education system stays broke to calling out corruption in the Transitional Presidential Council and ripping apart slogans like “Viv Ansanm” that mask terror as revolution, Shamir keeps it real and bilingual, mixing English with Haitian Creole. He breaks down assassinations like Jovenel Moïse’s death, unpacks U.S. immigration policies and the Haitian diaspora’s struggles, and even drops history gems about figures like Jean‑Jacques Dessalines. Expect strong opinions, deep‑dive analysis, and zero fluff. Whether you’re Haitian, Caribbean, an immigrant, or just curious, this show is your weekly dose of crime, politics, news and diaspora life—all filtered through the lens of someone who’s lived it. Get on board, learn some Creole, and buckle up for Shamir’s unfiltered take on Haiti and the Caribbean diaspora.

Publisher

Shamir Joseph

Category

government · news

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

22 Oct 2024

Latest episode

1 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Feb 2026

   THE HAITIAN NATIONAL POLICE

   In this episode of Off the Boat with Le Joseph, we take a deep, documentary-style examination of the Haitian National Police (Polis Nasyonal d’Haiti – PNH) and the structural failures that have shaped Haiti’s current security crisis. This is not entertainment, gossip, or propaganda. It is an investigation into how an institution created to protect the nation became overwhelmed by political interference, corruption, underfunding, foreign dependency, and organized crime. The episode traces: The controversial creation of the PNH after the disbandment of the Haitian Armed Forces The role of foreign influence in training, leadership selection, and logistics How corruption and impunity weakened internal accountability The impact of chronic underpayment and poor working conditions on officers Gang infiltration and the blurred lines between criminal groups and state authority The human cost of insecurity on civilians and communities This discussion makes a clear distinction between honest officers working under extreme conditions and the systemic failures that have trapped them inside a broken institution. The episode also explores why many Haitians believe that restoring public security requires more than reforms on paper — it requires accountability, institutional courage, and consequences for those who undermine the rule of law. Off the Boat with Le Joseph is a long-form podcast focused on Haitian and Caribbean history, politics, institutions, and social realities, offering context-driven analysis for listeners seeking a deeper understanding of the forces shaping Haiti today.

2. 

   18 Jan 2026

   BLACK EXCELLENCE

   Season 2, Episode 2 — MLK Day: Intertwined Histories of the United States and Haiti In this MLK Day episode of Off The Boat with Le Joseph, we explore Black history across borders—connecting the U.S. civil-rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. with the revolutionary struggle for freedom in Haiti led by Toussaint Louverture. Rather than treating American and Haitian histories as separate narratives, this episode places them side by side, revealing how Black liberation in the Americas has always been interconnected. MLK’s philosophy of non-violent resistance and moral pressure is examined alongside Toussaint Louverture’s armed revolt against slavery and colonial rule in Saint-Domingue. Though their methods differed, both leaders pursued the same goal: freedom, dignity, and full humanity for Black people. The episode traces MLK’s rise—from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the March on Washington, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and his enduring global influence—while also revisiting the Haitian Revolution, which produced the first free Black republic in the world and sent shockwaves through the transatlantic slave system. Beyond history, this episode challenges modern stereotypes by spotlighting Black excellence across professions—showing how MLK’s legacy lives on through action, service, and leadership. Featured figures include: Alexa Canady, the first Black woman neurosurgeon in the United States Regina Benjamin, physician and former U.S. Surgeon General Katherine Johnson, whose calculations powered NASA’s space missions Lonnie Johnson, NASA engineer and inventor Aprille Joy Ericsson, trailblazing engineer at NASA Kenneth Chenault, former Fortune 500 CEO Thurgood Marshall, the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court Barack Obama, the first Black President of the United States Denzel Washington, cultural leader and mentor beyond the screen The episode also speaks directly to accountability—addressing how violence and destructive behavior within Black communities undermine hard-won progress, while affirming that confronting these issues does not excuse systemic racism but strengthens the path forward. This is more than a tribute. It’s a reminder that Black history in the Americas is shared, ongoing, and unfinished. MLK Day is not just about remembrance—it’s about responsibility.

3. 

   12 Jan 2026

   222 YEARS

   Off the Boat with Le Joseph — Season 2, Episode 1 “222 Years: The Birth, Shockwaves, and Legacy of Haiti (1804–2026)” On January 1, 1804, Haiti changed the world forever. In this Season 2 premiere, Off the Boat with Le Joseph dives deep into the Haitian Revolution and the 222-year legacy of the first free Black republic in human history. Born from the most successful slave revolt ever recorded, Haiti didn’t just win its independence — it shattered the global order built on slavery, colonialism, and racial hierarchy. This episode traces Haiti’s journey from the brutal plantations of Saint-Domingue to independence, and examines the global shockwaves that followed: fear among slaveholding societies, inspiration for liberation movements across the Americas, the reshaping of world politics, and even the Louisiana Purchase. We break down how Haiti was punished for its freedom through diplomatic isolation, economic warfare, and France’s devastating indemnity — consequences that still echo today. 222 years later, Haiti’s story remains unfinished. It is a story of triumph, sacrifice, resistance, and resilience — not just Haitian history, but world history.

4. 

   8 Dec 2025

   VOODOO

   Host Le Joseph explores Haitian Vodou's origins, its influence on Haiti's independence, and its modern-day practice, revealing its blend with other religions and its impact on Haitian society.

5. 

   1 Dec 2025

   NEIGHBORS (HAITI/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

   Host Le Joseph explores the history of anti-Haitian violence in the Dominican Republic, highlighting key events and systemic issues, seeking truth and justice in this interview episode.

6. 

   24 Nov 2025

   GWO CHABRAK

   Historian LE JOSEPH discusses the under-explored history of Middle Eastern and European migration to Haiti and its impact on the country's modern elite, revealing how these families shaped Haiti's economy and politics in this interview.

7. 

   16 Nov 2025

   CHOLERA

   Le Joseph examines the devastating cholera outbreak in Haiti, detailing its origins, spread, and resurgence due to infrastructure failures and regional challenges, offering insight into public health and Caribbean history.

8. 

   16 Nov 2025

   HURRICANE SEASON (HAITI & JAMAICA)

   Le Joseph analyzes the contrasting post-hurricane recovery efforts in Haiti and Jamaica, urging Haitian leaders to learn from Jamaica's resilience and address corruption, in this reflective episode.

9. 

   3 Nov 2025

   JACQUES PREMIER

   Le Joseph analyzes an 1809 British article to reveal early foreign portrayals of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Haiti's founding father, exploring the contrast between legend and colonial perception.

10. 

    27 Oct 2025

    IMPUNITY

    Le Joseph examines impunity in the United States and Haiti, exploring how power impacts justice, accountability, and corruption across borders, and its effects on migration and democracy.

11. 

    3 Aug 2025

    FNE MISEDUCATION

    This episode of Le Dessalinien examines Haiti's education spending, asserting that insufficient investment fuels widespread ignorance.

12. 

    27 Jul 2025

    CORRUPTION RING (TPC)

    This episode analyzes Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council and its potential impact on corruption.

13. 

    21 Jul 2025

    Viv Ansanm

    This episode of "Le Dessalinien" explores the controversial claim that Viv Ansanm is terrorism, not a revolution.

14. 

    17 Jul 2025

    JOVENEL MOÏSE

    This episode discusses the death of Jovenel Moïse, former President of Haiti.

15. 

    16 Jul 2025

    HAITIAN IMMIGRATION

    This episode explores the impact of Trump's policies and the ongoing challenges in Haiti that contribute to Haitian immigration.

16. 

    22 Oct 2024

    Character and Anecdotes of Jean-Jacques Dessalines

    In this episode, we uncover a rare and fascinating article about Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the hero of the Haitian Revolution. The article reveals little-known details about his character and leadership, offering a fresh perspective on one of Haiti's most significant figures. Tune in to explore these historical insights and learn more about Dessalines’ legacy. Source: John Hatchard. Christian Observer. (January, 1809). Memoranda respecting Hayti. Christian Observer: Vol. 8 (Issue 2) Conducted by Members of the Established Church.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 1 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

1

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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