Editor's Introduction

With this issue, The Americas is experimenting with a new format: that of a Forum. In many Social Science journals there is a tradition of including opposing opinions alongside new, cutting-edge research. In this issue, we have opted to present a central article that offers a new take on an important issue, namely the role of peoples with origins in the Congo in the Haitian Revolution. It is accompanied by critiques of the featured essay by scholars in the field. The work of each of these scholars features prominently in the thesis of the central article. each of the authors was given the opportunity to critique the central article. Then we have extended to the featured author the opportunity to offer a final rebuttal. The overview of the discussion and introduction to the debate is provided by yet another scholar of the field. Taken as a whole, the Editorial Board of The Americas strongly supports this type of open debate about contested issues in the fields that we study. Moreover, we look forward to presenting more, similar debates in coming issues and years.