Calhoun versus Touissant

Calhoun can mediate the black with the free whites because he shares characteristics of both. He knows what it is like to be a slave, to be poor, and also looked down upon but at the same time he knows what it is like to be free, and he was never treated as poorly as the Alamusserai. Now that he is free he has made money and a better life for himself. Because he can relate to both groups in some way or another, he can be a crucial and persuasive person. Because each group can relate to him, they use him to communicate with the other, knowing the other group knowing they may listen to him, someone they can connect with, than a person who they can not connect with at all.

Touissant is also a mediator between two opposing groups in very similar ways to Calhoun. He can relate to the French because he considers himself French and he is free , but he also was a slave for a long period of time, so he can relate to them as well. He has been placed in and faced with the challenges of being enslaved, and then becoming free. He can relate to both groups therefore he can be a middle groups for communication between the two groups. 

Both Calhoun and Touissant become leaders, whether it be by choice like Touissant, or more by chance, like Calhoun. They also are both similar because they do not see themselves as African. Calhoun sees himself as an American, while Touissant sees himself as French. This is an important distinction in both men's actions and leadership. Despite Touissant trying to help the slaves and people he was once like, he does not see himself as one of them. By not seeing themselves as African or like the people they are helping, they set themselves apart from them, and perhaps therefore do not act and lead to their fullest, because whether they win or lose their battles, it does not effect them as much as it does the slaves.