Televangelist invoked tale saying natives made deal with slaves for freedom from France . Scholar : `` This is a longstanding trope of anti-Haitian venom , '' Kate Ramsey , a researcher at the University of Miami , told CNN . This is ` ` longstanding tradition of anti - Haitian venom '' meant to cause revolt , Vodou . It stems from belief that slaves could not have pulled off revolt alone , ' Ramsey says . Ramsey denies that said quake was God 's wrath , says he is praying for Haiti .
Televangelist invoked tale saying natives made deal with slaves for freedom from France . Scholar : This is ` ` longstanding tradition of anti - Haitian venom '' meant to cause revolt , Vodou . It stems from belief that slaves could not have pulled off revolt alone , ' Ramsey says . Ramsey denies that said quake was God 's wrath , says he is praying for Haiti .