Skip to main content

The dark history of bananas - John Soluri

2,990,249 Views

13,689 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In December 1910, the exiled former leader Manuel Bonilla boarded a borrowed yacht and set sail for Honduras in hopes of reclaiming power by whatever means necessary. Bonilla had a powerful backer: the notorious organization known throughout Latin America as “El Pulpo.” It was a U.S. corporation trafficking in, of all things, bananas. John Soluri investigates the United Fruit Company.

The owners and bosses of the United Fruit Company were mostly white men. How could this story be told differently to highlight the importance of other members of society, including Black people or women?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator John Soluri
  • Director Sofia Pashaei
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Sound Designer André Aires
  • Music André Aires
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

More from The World's People and Places