<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
Why is it that Haiti is by far the poorest country in the western hemisphere? They just happen to be the blackest too. I don't think that's a coincidence.
<|assistant|>
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the reasons why are many and complex. Its extreme poverty is often linked to colonialism, poor government infrastructure, political corruption, natural disasters, lack of economic investment, and low literacy rates. 

Adding to this complexity are the impacts of racism, as people of color have long been denied opportunities to accumulate wealth and succeed in many parts of the world. Systemic racism has created an environment in which people of color are excluded, marginalized, and more likely to suffer poverty and other societal ills such as mass incarceration. In Haiti, this has been particularly marked by the historical legacy of slavery and the Duvalier dictatorship which oppressed people of all racial backgrounds, but especially people of color.