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Kanga
Mundele: Our mission to live free or die trying
Another
Haitian Independence Day under occupation by Èzili Dantò
Ours has been a long struggle. It started in 1503 when the first
kidnapped African captive set his enchained foot on what is now
known as Haitian soil.
Back on Jan. 1, 1804, European/ U.S. barbarity and savagery received
its greatest blow in the Western Hemisphere. We continue to face
the guns, greed and odious cruelties of the white man, but we
also continue to celebrate our victories against him. Haitians
have been stigmatized and forced to pay with their lives and freedom
for that achievement ever since.
Jan. 1, 2006, marked Haiti’s freedom day.
Oceans of our blood have poured and watered the soil to nourish
civilized co-existence on this planet Earth and continue, this
very minute, to soak the earth needlessly, simply because Haitians
were the first to counter, in combat, European/ U.S. biological
fatalism, destroy its myth of white superiority and to do what
even Spartacus could not.
How should Haitians mark this anniversary? Who should we confer
with about our awesome burden, our plight, our long struggle to
be treated as human beings by the European settlers?
Who should we approach about Father Jean Juste’s incarceration?
About the U.N. soldiers’ massacres, rapes of our women and
repression of Haiti’s defenseless poor? About the lies of
the mainstream media and awful propaganda by the likes of Roger
F. Noreiga? (See: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/13504681.htm.)
How do we get justice?
Who do we tell about the 107 poor Haitian prison detainees shot
dead by Boniface/ Latortue prison guards, some while still in
their jail cells, about the Site Soley massacres, the soccer match
massacre, the Machete Army slaughters, the imprisonment of 70-year-old
grandmother So Anne – her facial disfigurement caused by
some mysterious prison ailment that Haiti’s prisoners are
enduring and suffering. How should we Haitians, who still live
and breathe free, fight on for ourselves, our children, for those
who don’t?
In the book “Two Thousand Seasons,” Ayi Kwei Armah
writes:
“How have we come to be mere mirrors to annihilations? For
whom do we aspire to reflect our people’s death? For whose
entertainment shall we sing our agony? In what hopes? That the
destroyers, aspiring to extinguish us, will suffer conciliatory
remorse at the sight of their own fantastic success? The last
imbecile to dream such dreams is dead, killed by the saviors of
his dreams.”
And so it is an exercise in futility to go to the perpetrators
and executioners of human rights crimes in Haiti in hopes of getting
justice for our people. Those who ousted the constitutional government
of Haiti – the U.N., which acts as proxy to maintain this
international crime, the Haitian lackeys and their Roger Noreiga
and State Department masters – are dead inside and cannot
hear the cries of the Haitian masses.
It’s not their mission or mandate. For they don’t
represent life, liberty, democracy, development and decency, but
its opposite. This officialdom, this authority, rains death, despotism,
destruction, cruelty, inhumanity, injustice, and represents all
that civilized peoples worldwide struggle to overcome. They write
laws but are too “high tech” to live them. They mouth
words of “justice” and fairness but their words are
DEAD.
To further quote Ghanaian writer, Ayi Kwei Armah: “Those
utterly dead, never again to awake, such is their muttering.”
See for yourself, my people, Roger F. Noreiga’s recent mutterings
in “Good, orderly elections are worth waiting for,”
Miami Herald, Dec. 29, 2005, http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/13504681.htm.
But as you read Noreiga’s racist and immoral lies that seek
to mask the Boca Raton regime’s barbarity as Haitian “progress”
that is worthy of international support, remember: A zombie’s
mutterings are meaningless.
Ayi Kwei Armah explains what’s to be done with such predators
and their blan-peyi Haitian lackeys, for they are dead: “Leave
them in their graves. Whatever waking form they wear, the stench
of death pours ceaseless from their mouths. From every opening
of their possessed carcasses comes death’s excremental pus.
Their soul itself is dead and long since putrefied. Would you
have your intercourse with these creatures from the graveyard?”
NO. Leave the dead in their graves. Speak your righteous message
not to these “long rotted ash” but address your message,
my people, to the living and look only to Dessaline’s descendants
worldwide. His legacy is liberty. Speak to liberty lovers. Empower
the world’s lovers of liberty.
On freedom day, raise up peaceful co-existence in the name of
Dessaline, the father of Haitian independence, author of the concept
that a “Haitian” is a “freedom lover,”
no matter his or her skin color or from which branch of that Black
woman, mother of all the races – our ultimate root –
he/ she hails from.
Remember that “Black” as redefined by Dessaline means
a “lover of Liberty.” Therefore, any person, of whatever
fabricated social “race,” who loves freedom and liberty
is Black, not white in the pejorative “tyrant” sense.
For, to Haitians, anyone who is a tyrant, no matter what his or
her skin color, is deemed “white,” a blan, a stranger,
not family.
Black is also, to Dessaline and his knowledgeable descendants,
the color and texture of liberty.
It is because of this Dessaline philosophy and psychology that
Haitian beliefs are marginalized and why Haitians are forever
marked for destruction and annihilation. Our concepts, based on
the observable facts of our history, experiences and existence,
threaten white supremacy to its core. That is why most people
in this world only know the lies told and retold about Haiti,
about Haiti’s culture, its psychology, its philosophy.
I’ve written in the “Red, Black, Moonlight”
monologue series, “Reaching for Black, keeps me from bursting
into flames.” For it is that “reaching” which
defines and gives texture to our struggle. Our independence and
freedom is divine and “as black as primordial space; as
black as the firmament from which creation sprang … the
color of carbon, the key atom found in all living matter. All
who are ‘Haitian’ carry particles of a culture, where
every vibratory energy comes out of the dark melanin seed, that
Haiti and Africa owns, which captures light and reproduces itself
and various hues and shades, full of multidimensional patterns,
disparate energies, eternal seeds.”
Remember and celebrate the road traveled
Humbled by the courage of the Haitians who left us a freedom legacy
to live, a liberated psychology to help free Africa’s children
from all sorts of colonization, a philosophy to extend, on Independence
Day, we remember, respect and honor our deep roots even as we
continue to face officialdom’s bitter lies, its white despotism
and racist disdain. We face its lies and half-truths, such as
written by the likes of Roger F. Noreiga or his various mainstream
press chums, who continually call Haitians “fouled up,”
“failed,” “gangsters,” while calling their
imposed Boca Raton regime “progress,” its bloody,
unconstitutional reign “democracy” and its upcoming
election-under-occupation “worthy.”
On our Independence Day, Haitians shall come together to stand
tall within ourselves against the empire’s lies and stigmas.
We’ve survived. We know who we are, what we are and that
we’ve got roots to keep us strong.
Our history of survival is our greatest asset and rallying point.
We exist still because we have ALWAYS defined ourselves, extended
ourselves, given value to ourselves, our life, strengths, ancestors,
history and heroes, when the world’s greatest armies, media
and superpowers have not.
In fact, white officialdom and its Haitian blan-peyi lackeys are
united solely in their refusal to recognize Haiti’s value,
its sovereignty and right to self-determination. Death, imprisonment,
suffering and sacrifice may be our perennial plight in this, Bartholomew
De La Casa’s “New World.” Yet try as the pathetic
likes of Roger Noreiga may to tell Haitians what we are worth,
how exclusionary elections are “our due” and that
repression is liberty, he fools and shames only himself and his
restavek Haitian lackeys.
Ayi Kwei Armah writes, “A people losing sight of origins
is dead. A people deaf to purposes is lost. Under fertile rain,
in scorching sunshine, there is no difference: their bodies are
mere corpses, awaiting final burial.”
As flesh and blood, endowed by our creator with the right to life,
we claim the natural right to just retribution, to self-defense,
to equal application of international laws governing human and
civil rights. For we are certain, if not in this lifetime, then
in our children or great-grandchildren’s time, the day will
come when the fiendish Roger Noriegas of this world will answer
for the Haitian lives they’ve helped to destroy down the
centuries and generations. The day will come, as surely as tomorrow
is already here, and Haitians all over the world, who have survived
Latortue’s bloody carnage, will continue demanding his ouster
as a way of remembering our independence from European/ U.S. official
servitude and its manifold injustices.
Every tomorrow will be our Independence Day. Every tomorrow we
Haitians shall extend our independence, blocking re-colonization,
its modern day applications and their new rods of empire –
endless foreign debt and elections-under-occupation. Every tomorrow,
even if placed in jail like Father Jean Juste or in exile or contained
in poverty, we won’t relent but shall recount our glorious
history of struggle ad nauseum, until no doubt remains that we
are indeed Dessaline’s descendants.
My people, leave the dead in their graves and look to Dessaline’s
descendants. Gather the living unco-opted Haitians, drink soup
joumou, call on Marijan, Kapwa Lamò, Dessaline and celebrate
our living history. Keep making that history. Remember and celebrate
the dignity of Father Jean Juste, the Ezili Danto goodness of
Haiti’s women warriors. Remember our roots, our struggle
– its vast glory.
Those roots are our living way, our legacy, our path to freedom
and our light that’s impossible to lose. Its remembrance
calls us, animates us and keeps us moving through these unspeakable
sufferings and grief.
On our Independence Day, Jan. 1, 2006, and on every other tomorrow
to come, we shall forget the dead living amongst us, sucking our
blood like the vampires they are. These parasites have lost sight
of Haiti’s origins – its sanctity, divinity and goodness,
its gift of liberty and fraternity, when all around the Europeans
settlers were bringing only depravity.
Dessaline’s descendants hold a sacred trust. Our mission
is to live free or die trying, not to live as dead zombies, corporate
or U.N. sell-outs, servile to gluttonous and inhuman greed like
the Latortue restaveks and their vampirish white masters.
“Kanga Mundele,” said the spirit of Èzili Dantò that
mounted that great mambo Cecile Fatiman, on Aug. 14, 1791, at
Bwa Kayiman, the ceremony that began the great Haitian Revolution.
Kanga Mundele means “kill the stranger” in Kikongo
– “kill the stranger within,” “amongst
us” – and also means “long live freedom.”
Indeed our freedom still lives. Despite 503 years of grief, Haitians
are still here – standing on truth, living without fear.
Nou La! We don’t get much press, but we’re here! Nou
la! Kanga Mundele!
Èzili Dantò
Li lèd li la.
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October
17, 2006, the bicentennial of Dessalines' assassination - Join
HLLN, throughout the month of October, 2006 in celebrating the
life, triumphs, achievements and ideal of Haiti's revolutionary
hero and founding father
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October
17 - A Day of Heroes, (See last years commemoration)
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Mesi
Papa Dessalines
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Three
ideals of Dessalines
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Kouwòn
pou Defile
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Libète
Ou La Mò
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Dessalines' Songs *La
Dessalinienne
Haiti's National Anthem-
(audio of La Dessalinienne)
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Defile
Manman "Chimè?"
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What's
in a name?
Some
names horrify enslavers, tyrants and despots, everywhere...
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Dessalines'
Law
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Blan
Mannan by Feliks Moriso Lewa
(English translation)
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Oct.
17, 2006 marks 200 years since
the struggle against neocolonialism
in Haiti began, we still say, thank
you Jean Jacques Dessalines, for
being so far ahead of your time
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FMI, travay Feliks Moriso Lewa
Audio
recording of pòem read by Feliks Moriso Lewa
English
translation to come.)
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| F.M.I.
travay Feliks Moriso Lewa
Gen twa lèt
pou n bliye
nan silabè malveyan yo
twa lèt ki plen madichon
twa lèt pou n rache
nan jaden kreyòl nou an
twa lèt k a toufe tout bon plant
nan jaden kreyòl nou an
bliye f
bliye m
bliye i
twa lèt sa yo
ka lage yon sèl devenn
nan bounda n
yon kolik mizèrere
nan boyo granmoun kou timoun
bliye lèt f m i yo
ki vle di ki vle di
sa yo vle di?
f ki vle di fon
m ki vle di monetè
i ki vle di entènasyonal*
si ou tande yon vakabon
vini bò kote kay ou
ak twa lèt sa a yo
kwape l kou chen
twa lèt denmon sa yo
fon monetè entènasyonal
pa kite blan ki gen twa lèt sa a yo
ekri sou valiz li
pwoche kote w
pran l ak grap
èfèmi konsa yo rele l
èfèmi
sak èfèmi a
se yon vye blan rich
pase tout milyonnè
k ap mache vòlò lajan malere
pou l sa pi rich toujou
li soti pou l fè n plannen
ata bout nat
nou kouche dòmi
pou l boure pòch li
ak pòch tout dyab
k ap travay ak li
èfèmi se pi gwo dyab
sou latè beni alèkile
men lò èfèmi ap parèt douvan
w
ou pa fouti konnen sa li ye
li kab sanble yon bèl ti gason
ak bèl dan lò chapo panama linèt
bèl pawòl nan dyòl li
bèl mannyè san repwòch
onèt fòk pa plis
bwòdè kou konpè chen
k pral laparad
santi bon kou latrin
fre kou ze zwa
li kab met mas nwa tou
sou figi l pou l pa paret twò blenm
bèl ti gason kou Andwou Yong
se yon vye blan aganman
ki pran pòz moun debyen l
pou l sa mache pete malere
nan tout peyi
pa kite èfèmi penetre
nan lakou w
tou tan li pa fin souse
tout san w
li pap lage w
tou tan li pa fin ravaje
tout jaden w
li pap vire do l
li mèt ofri w dola
pa pran
li mèt ofri w milyon
pa pran
dola l va tounen pwa grate
nan men w
milyon l va tounen lagal
nan tout kò w
èfèmi se pou w pè sa
kou fizi de kou
bon zèb pa pouse kote èfèmi pase
lapli pa tonbe
èfèmi pi rèd pase siklòn
pitit pitit pitit ou
ka gen pou l peye
dis fwa
san fwa
mil fwa
chak dola
èfèmi foure
nan gòj ou
lajan èfèmi
se kou ki dire
yon lòk
li peze nen timoun
vide nan gòj yo
fè yo vale l
yon lòk
lwil palmakristi
melanje ak ji lalwa
panzou madyouba
sorosi tout fèy anmè
ka fout ou yon sèl vant mennen
ak yon swèf
pou pete fyèl ou
plis vant ou mennen w
plis w anvi bwè lòk la
jouk vant ou mennen w
mennen w
mennen w
mennen w
nan pòk
tout yon pèp
de pye lonje
k ap fikse
tèt zòtèy li
*yo te konn ekri l Intènasional
lè poèm sa te ekri
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I want the assets
of the country to be equitably divided.." Jean
Jacques Dessalines
“Constitution de 1805 déchirée
par les baionnettes du Coup d’état du 17 octobre
1806
Le coup d'état du 17 octobre 1806 n'a pas mis fin seulement
à la vie d'un homme, mais aussi elle a consacré
la fin d'une constitution, d'un vrai contract social. Elle a consacré
aussi la fin d'une alliance entre deux classes d'idéologie
diamétralement opposée. Cette opposition s'est manifesté
tout au cours de la période coloniale.
Dessalines, pour le bien de la cause avait accepté un compromis
historique avec Pétion. L'histoire coloniale a révélé
que chaque fois que les intérêts de la classe des
anciens libres étaient menacés, elle entrait en
compromis soit avec les esclaves contre les colons, ou en compromis
avec ces derniers contre les esclaves….Donc le 17 octobre
1806 fut inaugurée l’ère des coup d’état
et de l’instabilité polique dan notre histoires.
Du 17 octobre 1806 à 29 fevrier 2004 on a enregistré
trente trios. Et depuis: << c’est toujour la même
eau qui coule. C’est toujours le sang du people qui coule.
Toujours la même chanson qui fait pleure la foule.>>…”
(Excerped from "La Constitution de 1805...deux cents ans
après: Les chants de resistance" by Bell Angelot,
p. 125.)
To Fulfill Dessalines' dream for Haiti, Haitians must unite -
Look Outwards together, Stop the Haitian fratricide" by Marguerite
Laurent, HLLN's FreeHaitiMovement - Dessalines is Rising, October
17th Events
Dessalines fought so that Haitians would live free, politically
sovereign and economically independent. He united the enslaved
black masses with the free blacks and mulattoes and, AS ONE, they
looked outwards together, blocked the divisions the differing
white settler tribes were fostering amongst these black folks,
of different hues, shades, economic and legal standing.
Jean Jacques Dessalines fought for the dignity of all Africans
- liberty, equality, fraternity for all - no matter their skin
color or economic class. He accomplished what no Haitian leader
has been able to do since his assassination in 1806. Because of
his military strength and fierce and unwavering courage, he had
been able to bring together two Black classes with diametrically
opposed ideologies - the masses who wanted to end slavery and
colonialism, live free in a society where there would be an equitable
sharing of resources; and the free blacks and mulattoes who felt
they were superior and entitled to the properties and assets of
their beaten white French fathers and the assets they had accumulated
under the brutal slavery system. After independence, as the former
freedmen tried to reassert the old status quo, Dessalines firmly
declared, on behalf of the long-suffering Black masses of Haiti:
" Je veux que les biens de la nation soient équitablement
partagés" - I want the assets of the country to be
equitably divided.
For this, Dessalines was assassinated by the mullatoe/Affranchi
economic elites. Dessalines' October 17, 1806 assassination was
the first coup d'etat in Haiti's and it was organized by the mullatoe/Affranchi
elites to assure their wealth and keep the masses contained-in-poverty
the better to exploit them as they had under the slavery system.
Moreover, even within the ranks of the ex-slaves, particularly
with the generals and powerful soldiers, emerged a small oligarchy
who were barriers to the desires of the masses for inclusion (fraternity)
and to share equitably in the bounty of the Island recently liberate
from France. (See, "La Constitution de 1805...deux cents
ans après: Les chants de resistance" by Bell Angelot,
p. 76)The recent February 29, 2004 Coup d'etat continues the tragic
Haitian story by pushing back the democracy the masses hoped would
bring better standards of living to them and less exploitation
by Haiti's economic elites and the neocolonialist whites.
In 1806, with Dessalines' October 17th assassination, the cycle
of violent overthrows of duly elected or recognized governments
in Haiti had begun. Haiti's latest, the February 29, 2004 coup
d'etat, not only oustered the Aristide/Neptune government, but
trashed the 1987 Haitian Constitution.
Accordingly, here's how Haitian legal scholar, Bell Angelot puts
this in his new book: "The October 17, 1806 Coup d’état
did not merely put an end to the life of a man, it also meant
the end of a constitution, of a true social contract. It also
marked the end of the alliance between two classes ideology diametrically
opposed. These differences were manifested throughout the colonial
era. Dessalines, for the common good, had agreed to a historical
compromise with Pétion. Colonial history reveals that every
time the interests of the class composed of “previously
freedman” were threatened, the freedmen negotiated compromises
either with the slaves against the colonists, or compromises with
the colonists against the slaves...Thus, on October 17, 1806,
the era of coup d’états and political instability
was inaugurated in Haitian history. From October 17, 1806 to February
29, 2004, thirty three coups are recorded. And, “it is always
the same water flowing. Always the people’s blood flowing.
Always the same song that bring tears to the masses.”(Excerpted
from "La Constitution de 1805...deux cents ans après:
Les chants de resistance" by Bell Angelot, p. 125.)
Dessalines understood the Haitian masses and their democratic
desires for social and economic inclusion. He was one of them.
He spoke for them and was able to make a tactical alliance with
the Mullato Affranchi, Alexandre Petion, the mulattoes' leader
of that time, and with the Black Affranchi, Henri Christopher,
to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte’s armies, which had come back
to either re-enslave them or kill them all. Napoleon's orders
to his brother-in-law, General Lerclec, was to kill all Black
men, women and child over the age of ten years old. He intended
to root out, once and for all, Haiti's rebellious seeds. Dessalines
knew that Napoleon had already, with great black bloodshed returned
the rebelling Guadeloupe back to slavery in 1802. Martinique’s'
revolution was also squashed by Napoleon's troops. Leclerc was
heading to Haiti to do the same.
Dessalines vowed he would not be re-enslaved. He vowed "Liberty
or death" and succeeded in beating Napoleon in
combat to create the nation of Haiti. Jean Jacques Dessalines
did what Spartacus couldn't.
But, as soon as the mulattoes and free blacks had, under Dessalines'
brilliant leadership, attained Haiti's independence from France,
they started trying to regain the same economic standing they
had in the time of slavery, also claiming for themselves the lands
of their French fathers.
This, the cultural and ideological roots and similarities of Haiti's
economic elites with Haiti's mortal enemies, the former colonists
and enslavers, has made it impossible for the poor Haitian masses
with their roots in Africa, their fathers in Africa, to bring
to fruition a nation of Blacks united in brotherhood and dedicated
to liberty and equality for all, no matter the class or Black
skin hue.
The assets of Haiti, have since never been equitably shared. The
Black masses struggle to this day to gain their fare share.
"L'alliance tactique conclue entre les anciens et nouveaux
libres ne fut pas durable, elle fut de nature meme fragile et
chimerique. Vite et très vite après l'independance
les anciens libres revendiquèrent la saisine des privilèges
des anciens colons et la réédition du status quo
ante, et meme dans la caste des nouveaux libres de petites nouvelles
oligarchies furent émergées et constituèrent
de véritables barrieres aux action émancipatrices
réeles des masses, véritables acteurs de la revolution
de 1804..." ("La Constitution de 1805...deux cents ans
après: Les chants de resistance" by Bell Angelot,
p. 76)
Brotherhood means Haitians must look outwards together, and stop
allowing foreigners to divide and polarized Haitian society. If
the goal is and independent and free Haiti, as dictated by Haiti's
founding father. If, as Dessalines' swore Haiti would never again
allow a colonist or European to set foot on its soil as master.
Then, the answer is the same as it was in the time of Dessalines:
Haitians, no matter the hue or class, need unite for the nation's
common good and development. It means, we stop being the architects
of our own destruction in ignoring the sufferings of the masses.
For we honor Dessalines and fulfill his revolutionary dream, setting
an unprecedented world example if we Blacks unite - L'union Fait
La Force; and give substance to this, the reason Jean Jacques
Dessalines was assassinated, for he dreamed and he declared: "Je
veux que les biens de la nation soient équitablement partagés"
- "I want the assets of the country to be equitably divided.."
Ezili Dantò
The Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
October 13, 2006
For HLLN's FreeHaitiMovement - Dessalines is Rising, October 17th
Events
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Dessalines' Zero Tolerance
for despots- We will detonate and burn Haiti down and all rather
die before we are returned to slavery and colonialism:
Desalin di, "Depi teritwa nou an menase, koupe tèt,
boule kay paske Ayisyen pap retounen lan esklavaj."
- List of events (in New
York, New Jersey, Canada, Rhode Island) from
Oct. 15 to 22nd commemorating the life, triumphs and revolutionary
ideals of Jean Jacques Dessalines, Haiti's founding father
****************************************************
HLLN Recommemded Books on Jean Jacques
Dessalines:
1. La Constitution de 1805...deux cents ans après:
Les chants de
resistance par Bell Angelot
(Meet the author Bell Angelot, buy an autographed copy on October
15,
2006 at 5pm, Irvington New Jersey - Details below)
2. Jean Jacques Dessalines:
Itinéraire d’un révolutionnaire, par
Berthony Dupont| Editions L’harmattan, Paris.
(Meet the author Berthony Dupont, buy an autographed copy on October
15, 2006 at 4:30 pm, St. Jerome Church, 1886 Nostrand Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY - Details below)
3. The Irritated Genie:
An Essay on the Haitian Revolution. Chicago:
Kemetic Institute, 1985. by Jacob H. Carruthers
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EVENTS
IN NEW YORK:
1. Sunday October 15, 2006 at 4:30pm – Dessalines pa mouri!
St. Jerome Church, 1886 Nostrand Avenue, (Bet. Newkirk & Foster)
Brooklyn, New York
Book launch, Special Honorees and Cultural
Presentations commemorating
Jean Jacques Dessalines
Master of Ceremony – Dr. Fanfan Latour
Book Launch: Jean Jacques Dessalines: Itinéraire d’un
révolutionnaire,
by Berthony Dupont – Mr. Dupont will introduce his book
and be
available for book signing.
3 Special Honorees:
- Research scholar on Haitian history and Dessalines. Maitre Paul
Maurice Francois, will be honored.
- Madame Florence Bonhomme Comeau, Community Radio Hostess
extroadinaire, will be honored
- Joseph Bellamour from Aide-Memoire emission will be honored
Special Guest Appearance: Marguerite
Laurent, Fritzner Pierre, Carol,
Andre Leroy and Denize Lauture – Haitian and artists poets
singers
celebrating Jean Jacques Dessalines in poetry and performance:
Contact: in New York/New Jersey
Desrosier 646 236 6861
Romani: 347 413 8441
Guinsly: 908 472 5362
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2. October 17, 2006, Komite Kont Jenosid - Komemorasyon
Sasinay
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 6:30 PS 399, Corner of Rogers and
Albemarle Road, Brooklyn, New York.
Contact Info: 718 670 3228
Aktivite New York Madi, 17 Oktòb 20 06 - Aba lokipasyon
peyi Desalin
nan!Madi, 17 Oktòb 2006, 6:30pm @ PS 399 Rogers & Albemarle
Rd., Brooklyn,
NY
Komite kont Jenosid an Ayiti ap envite tout kominote Ayisyen an
vin
komemore ansanm ak nou 200 lannen depi move Ayisyen sasinen papa
nou.
- Chita koze sou lavi ak egzanp Desalin; efikasite politik Desalin
nan:
responsabilite yon Ayisyen ki vivan jodi a
_Teyat, chante, pwezi
- Mikro louvri
RANTRE GRATIS!
Aba Lokipasyon peyi Desalin nan!
Madichon pou tout Ayisyen ki krache sou modòd Papa nou:
Depi teritwa nou an menase, "koupe tèt, boule kay"
Komite Kont Jenosid an Ayiti: 718 760 3228
*******************************************
3 and 4. Saturday, OCTOBER 14 at 10 AM and Sunday,
OCTOBER 15, 2005 at
5PM
Sponsored by: Groupe de Reflexions des Citoyens Haitiens Avec
Fami Care
et D'Autres Organizations
Presentent:
En 1re Partie: Saturday, October 14th at 10AM
BIG MASS IN MEMORY OF Jean Jacques Dessalines
En 2me Partie: Sunday, October 15th at 5 PM
GREAT CULTURAL AND EVANGELICAL NIGHT
5 PM: Arriving of Jean Jacques Dessalines on his horse
6 PM: Showtime: With Participation of the following Artists:
Farah Juste, Carole Demesmin, Lude Pinette, Alex Alebe, Jean Robert
Themistocle, Stalina Vertus, Ludwine Joseph, Troupe d' Arc En
Ciel, ETC.
WHERE: A L'Auditorium D'Irvington High School,
Irvington, NJ
Special Guests:
Wyclef Jean, Bel Amour, et Bel Angelot
Historiens, Ecrivains et Conferenciers Suivi d'une vente de signature:
"Le Bicentenaire d'un deuil"
Participation: $20 in advance, $25 at the door, $12 for children
under
12 years old
For tickets and Information: (908) 591-9859, (718) 856-3323, (973)
372-2272, (973) 573-9310
*5. Friday, OCTOBER 20, 2006 – Commemorating
Jean Jacques Dessalines.
Kongo, at the Picnic House, Prospect Park at 6:30 p.m. in Brooklyn
New
York
IN CANADA:
October 17, 2006 at 8pm - Restitution, Réparations
En l'occasion de la 200e année du souvenir de l'assassinat
de
Jean-Jacques Dessalines...
Dessalines, un heros ne meurt jamis: Recuellement, Conferences
200e Anniversaire De L’assassinat de Jean-Jacques Dessalines,
Le Pere
Fondateur de la Patrie Haitienne
Sponsored by Vwa Zanset, The Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network,
Perle
Retrouvee, Production Noire, Black United World, Nation of Islam
Montreal Mohammed Study Group, L.O.C.
Responsabilité, Expiation, Pardon,
Réconciliation avec l’histoire
Where: 7655, 20th Avenue Motreal, Quebec, H2A
2K8
Contact Info: 314 648 4337, 450 676 0728. Email: buw@mail.com
IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
October 22, 2006 – Commemorating Jean Jacques Dessalines
National Organization of Haitian Living Abroad has organized
a
conference to commemorate Jean Jacques Dessalines.
Participants will walk to the nearby Bicentennial Place where
the monument
of Toussaint and Dessalines is located, which is Roger Williams
Park,
the 5th largest part in the United States. At that time, participants
will lay a wreath in honor of the father of the nation, the Emperor
Jean Jacques Dessalines.
Where will we meet: Ada’s Restaurant, October 22, 2006 at
9:30 am
1137 Broad Street
Providence Rhode Island, 02905
Contact in Rhode island:
Roger Dazulme
732 423 0808
www.fanmilavalasny.com
For New York Tri State area:
A bus will leave (The first 49 people to arrive will be seated)
Bus will leave at EXACTLY 5 am on October 22, 2006 for Rhode Island.
The bus will leave in front of Radyo Panou at 810
Rogers Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
Call in advance to reserve and pay for your bus seat. Cost $30
Roundtrip
Contact: in New York/New Jersey and bus reservations:
Desrosier 646 236 6861
Romani: 347 413 8441
Guinsly: 908 472 5362
RHODE ISLAND
PROGRAM:
The National Organization of Haitian Living Abroad
Oct 17 1806 – Oct 17 2006
200th Year of the Assassination of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines
Commemorative Program Oct 22, 2006 @ 10:00 AM
Museum Roger William Park 10:00 AM
1) Welcome and Introduction
By Ms. Marguerite Laurent, ESQ
2) The National Anthem of Haiti
3) Guest Speaker - Professor Saintil Joseph
4) Refreshments 11:30 AM
5) Raising of the Flags and the National Anthems
6) Special Guest Speaker
7) Laying of wreath
8) Acknowledgements
****************************************************
From Slave to Emperor,
His Majesty, Jean Jacques Dessalines, The greatest story marginalized
and never told.....
What Historians usually
forget to say about Jean Jacques Dessalines: Dessalines was a
revolutionary centuries ahead of his time by Èzili Dantò,
HLLN, October 17, 2006
General Janjak Desalin (Jean Jacques Dessalines)
created the nation of Haiti on January 1, 1804. He fought so that
Haiti would be a Black Independent Nation. Unlike Toussaint Louverture,
Dessalines did not want to rule Haiti on behalf of the French
or any other European power, but envisioned Haiti as an un-colonized,
free, sovereign and independent nation, ruled by the inhabitants
of Haiti with liberty, brotherhood (fraternity) and justice (equality)
for all.
200th years after the assassination of Dessalines, countless countries
in Africa, Asia, Latin American and the Caribbean cannot say they
have even reached this Haitian revolutionary consensus, but rather
have accepted neocolonialism as the best they can do. Dessalines
rejected slavery, colonialism, racism and [b]neo-colonialism.[/b]
Dessalines was ahead of his time.
Dessalines was assassinated by the Haitian forces in the newly
formed Haitian state most fearful of independence, most allied
to the old colonial status quo.
In particular, Jean Jacques Dessalines was assassinated 200 years
ago, on October 17, 1806, because he wanted the assets of the
newly formed Black nation to be equitably divided amongst all
the Haitians in Haiti. He wasn't an administrator or agronomist,
but he saw himself as a defender, a parent, so-to-speak, who wanted
all his children to share in the assets of the country and be
duly provided for. He insisted that Haitians would own Haiti,
its assets and harvests, not foreigners or their companies (as
it is formalized today in the so-called more "developed"
parts of Latin America.)
For instance, the US-client-states in the Western Hemisphere with
the MOST foreign companies owning everything, such as Chile (forget
human rights, social inclusion, forget who really owns EVERYTHING
there) are recognized, DEFINED, by the EHMs* - developmental economics,
IMF and World Bank folks - as Latin Americas' “richest"
countries and Haiti, with the least foreign companies and LEAST
foreign ownership in the Western Hemisphere within its borders
is DEFINED as the “poorest” Latin American country
in the Western Hemisphere. (See also, "The
West receives US$10 for every US$1 it puts into Africa. In this
case, who is giving aid to who or to put it more correctly, who
is exploiting who?" 'Black People Remain Oppressed',
The Herald (Harare) May 25, 2006, http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/gods_goddesses.html#oppressed;
Expose
the Lies and "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man:
How the U.S. Uses Globalization to Cheat Poor Countries Out of
Trillions " http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/12/31/1546207
)
That struggle for Haitian ownership of Haiti and for intra-Haitian
economic and social equity continues to this day. However, Dessalines
put Haitians ahead of all the former colonized countries in the
world. For, in one fell swoop, he accomplished the unimaginable.
He abolished the European-sponsored holocaust in Haiti called
chattel slavery; he destroyed outright colonialism, made neocolonialism
unseemly and forever crippled the idea that Blacks were inferior
to whites by beating, in combat, the then greatest white armies
(the French, British and Spanish) in the world. Jean Jacques Dessalines
decimated Napoleons' army in Haiti, blowing the white settlers
pre-conceived notions about Black inferiority to smithereens by
also summarily accomplishing what the greatest European military
powers of that time, fighting against Napoleon's imperialism,
were themselves unable to do.
Haiti's founding father MANIFESTED the proposition that supreme
authority rested in the people to determine their own destiny
and thereby accomplished what most of the Euro/US philosophers
and intellectuals of his time, still beholden to monarchy, were
yet to even conceive was possible by their own white masses, much
less Africans and Africans who were enslaved for 300 years. The
English and Spanish never quite got rid of their hereditary monarchs
and the French not until 1848. In contrast, Dessalines accepted
the title of Emperor, but refuse
to be a monarch.
He accepted the title of Emperor that his generals asked him to
take, but only with the proviso that he would forever retain his
true station as the
senior general of generals in the Revolutionary Haitian
army. He specifically renounced, in his acceptance letter, as
unfair and un-democratic, that his power would automatically pass
on to his family members. Dessalines did not believe in inherited
wealth or power. He believed that all consideration of seniority
should be based on a person's actions and demonstrated qualities
and skills. He said "often it is the young who have the necessary
fire to lead, rather than the old who will hesitate at the opportune
time..."
Most Western historians forget to inform their readers about the
conditions Dessalines placed on his acceptance of the title of
"Emperor of Haiti." Most, would rather paint Dessalines
as a Black barbarian with illusions of grandeur because he killed
the French who enslaved Blacks and took on the title of Emperor
of Haiti.
But, according to the historical record, it wasn't Dessalines'
idea to become Emperor. He accepted his generals written request
and wishes that he not be “Governor General” of the
Island because that implied a colonial relationship. But he said:
"...Je suis soldat, la guerre fut toujours mon partage, et
tant que l'acharnement, la barbarie et l'avarice de nos ennemis
les porteront sur nos rivages, je justifierai votre choix, et
combattant à votre tête, je prouverai que le titre
de vote général sera toujours honorable pour moi.
Le rang auquel vous m'élevez m'apprend que je suis devenue
le père de mes concitoyens don't j'etais le defenseur...le
père d’une famille de guerriers…je renonce,
oui je renonce à l'usage injuste de faire passer ma puissance
à ma famille...souvent la tête qui recèle
le feu bouillant de la jeunesse de son pays que la tête
froide et expèrimentée du vieillard qui temporise
dans les moments ou la témérité seule convient.
C'est à ces conditions que je suis votre supèrieur..."
(Jean Jacques Dessalines, "Lettre Responsive De Dessalines
a la Requete De Ses Generaux" Feb. 15, 1804. Source: "La
Constitution de 1805...deux cents ans après: Les chants
de resistance" by Bell Angelot,
p. 100)
Dessalines' high ideals are expressed in this document - Lettre
Responsive De Dessalines a la Requete De Ses Generaux - where
he outlined that nobility and rank should be earned not inherited
or gifted as a right. He rejected the concept of influence, -
of an aristocratic, social or political class - based on bloodlines
or nationality. Neither Britain, France, Spain or the others who
spent their literature and time marginalizing this "slave"-who-become-emperor
by the strength of his will, talents and skills, had yet to give
up their monarchs and its unseemingly and Medieval hereditary
rights.
Dessalines stayed true to his
revolutionary ideas until his death (see HLLN’s “Three
ideals of Dessalines”), and a staunch democrat (see “I
want the assets of the country to be equitably divided.”)
He re-established Black peoples, as whole human beings who possessed
the inalienable right to self-defense against barbarism, colonialism,
financial exploitation and racism.
Jean Jacques Dessalines used his life energies to advance, uphold
and manifest the world's most developed and civilized application
of human rights, values and dignity.
Thank you Dessalines.
HLLN
October 17, 2006
"Sèl blan ki bon blan se blan k met fizi sou move
blan yo" (Moriso Lewa)
Notes:
*1. EHM - In his book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, John
Perkins writes:
"Economic hit men (EHMs) are highly paid professionals who
cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars.
They funnel money from the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID), and other foreign "aid" organizations
into the coffers of huge corporations and the pockets of a few
wealthy families who control the planet's natural resources. Their
tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections,
payoffs, extortion, sex, and murder. They play a game as old as
empire, but one that has taken on new and terrifying dimensions
during this time of globalization. I should know; I was an EHM."
In Haiti, their tool is also kidnapping. Kidnapping of President
Aristide just as they tried and failed with President Hugo Chavez
of Venezuela earlier.
At the beginning of his book, Perkins writes, "....Jaime
Roldòs, president of Ecuador, and Omar Torrijos, president
of Panama. Both ...died in fiery crashes. Their deaths were not
accidental. They were assassinated because they opposed that fraternity
of corporate, government, and banking heads whose goal is global
empire. We EHMs (Economic Hit Men) failed to bring Roldòs
and Torrijos around, and the other type of hit men, the CIA-sanctioned
jackals who were always right behind us, stepped in." (From,
"Why
are the Impoverished and Disenfranchised Haitian People Being
Forced to Pay Ten Years Back-Pay to the Brutal Military they Disbanded
Ten Years Ago?: Debt Breeds Dependency Equals Foreign & Corporate
Domination" by Marguerite Laurent, January 4,
2005 http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/payingthugs.html
)
2. I want the assets of the country to be equitably divided.."
Jean
Jacques Dessalines
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/kangamundele.html#equity
3. "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man: How the U.S. Uses
Globalization to Cheat Poor Countries Out of Trillions "
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/12/31/1546207; and
Confessions of a Economic Hit Man by John Perkins)
4. 'Black People Remain Oppressed', The Herald (Harare) May 25,
2006, http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/gods_goddesses.html#oppressed,
5. F.M.I., travay Feliks Moriso Lewa
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/kangamundele.html#fmi
*
Lewa's Audio recording of FMI
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/FMI.MP3
6. USAID
Spent More Than 10 million U.S. Dollars since May 2004 to Decimate
Lavalas Party in Haiti, See USAID/OTI Haiti Program Fact Sheet,
May 22, 2006
7. List of October 17th activities:
Dessalines' Zero Tolerance for despots
- We will detonate and burn Haiti down and all rather die before
we
accept a return to slavery and colonialism. Desalin di: Depi teritwa
nou
an menase, "koupe tèt, boule kay" paske Ayisyen
pap retounen lan
esklavaj | http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/kangamundele.html#zero
****************************************************
Thank
you Father Dessalines by Feliks Moriso Lewa
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/papadesalin.html#mesiE
****************************************************
WORDS OF DESSALINES:
"...Je suis soldat, la guerre fut toujours mon partage, et
tant que
l'acharnement, la barbarie et l'avarice de nos ennemis les porteront
sur
nos rivages, je justifierai votre choix, et combattant à
votre tête, je
prouverai que le titre de vote général sera toujours
honorable pour
moi. Le rang auquel vous m'élevez m'apprend que je suis
devenue le père de
mes concitoyens don't j'etais le defenseur...le père d’une
famille de
guerriers…je renonce, oui je renonce à l'usage injuste
de faire passer
ma puissance à ma famille. Je n'aurai jamais égard
à l'ancienneté, quand
les qualités requises pour bien gouverner ne se trouveront
pas réunies
dans le sujet; souvent la tête qui recèle le feu
bouillant de la
jeunesse de son pays que la tête froide et expèrimentée
du vieillard qui
temporise dans les moments ou la témérité
seule convient. C'est à ces
conditions que je suis votre supèrieur, et malheur a celui
qui portera sur
les degrés du trône, élevé par la reconnaissance
de son peuple, d'autres
sentiments que ceux d'un père de famille." (Jean Jacques
Dessalines,
"Lettre Responsive De Dessalines a la Requete De Ses Generaux"
Feb. 15,
1804. Source: "La Constitution de 1805...deux cents ans après:
Les
chants de resistance" by Bell Angelot, p. 100; See also "Nomination
De
Dessalines Comme Empereur," dated in Port-au-Prince, January
25, 1804 and
signed by the Generals of the then Revolutionary Haitian army,
including
Vernet, Clerveaux, Christophe, Pétion, Gabart, Geffrard,
Jean-Louis
Francois, Férou Gerin, Magny, Raphael, Lalondrie Paul Romain,
Cange
Jean-Phillipe, Daut, Toussaint, Brave, Morau Yayou, Magloire,
Amboise,
Bazelais, et al... - Angelot at p. 98)
*******************************************
The legacy of impunity of one sector-Who killed
Dessalines?
Three historical documents from the authors of the crime:
Petion and Gerin and the Insurgent Generals*
(Boyer, Yayou, ..)
***********************************
- Who Killed Dessalines and why - October 17, A Day of Completion Made by Defile.
Let the truth be heard. Every Oct 17, Free Haiti honors warrior warrior-mother Defile ; Desalin and the indigenous army ; to study the Haiti Revolutione the Haiti Revolution and the Mulatto-led plot to kill Dessalines and the Black Generals
- Three historical documents that implicate Alexandre Petion and
Gerin's role in Dessalines assassination, Translated by Frantz
Jerome for the Ezili Dantò Witness Project. Source: "La Constitution
de 1805...deux cents ans après: Les chants de resistance"
by Bell Angelot, p.124 to 135
***********************************
Onè e Respè la Sosyete;
Honor and respect on this most mournful day, October 17, 2006,
the 200th anniversary of the assassination of Haiti's founding
father, the honorable Jean Jacques Dessalines. His spirit lives
on, breathes through liberty lovers worldwide.
Today, "HLLN FreeHaitiMovement - Dessalines is rising"
brings to you, translated for the FIRST time in English and in
one place, as part of our celebrations of the life, triumphs and
revolutionary ideals of Haiti's noble founding father, three historical
documents that give evidence the October 17, 1806 coup, which
cost Dessalines his life, was staged against the popular masses
of Haiti. For, "ever since, the new oligarchy would rather
form alliances with foreign forces in order to frustrate all attempts
to implement a social contract that would benefit the popular
masses." (Angelot, p. 124)
The three historical documents will enlighten and contribute to
a better interpretation of Haiti’s history and the current
situation. "Two hundred years later, one can repeat the author
who, upon reflection stated, that in “1804 St Domingue is
no longer, but Haiti is yet to be.” (Angelot)
Our task as Haitian, is to bring into manifestation what Dessalines
died for: Haiti as a free, sovereign and independent nation. Since
Dessalines assassination on October 17, 1806, Haiti's independence,
the independence of the masses was compromised and has been a
mere fiction.
Today, October 17, 2006, Haitians still struggle to make independence
a reality and fulfill Dessalines' unfinished revolution. The task
remains as Dessalines declared: "I want the assets of the
country to be equitably divided."
If Haiti, the most impoverished within the American empire, can
set itself free, bringing to manifestation a revolutionary social
order where there is social equity and an equitable economic sharing
of resources, then the world will forever be altered.
Dessalines' descendants are born to this struggle, live and die
to make real Dessalines' great visions.
It is our special honor, at Ezili's HLLN, to bring to the Network
and the Ezili Dantò listserve, these three historical documents
which better explains who, 200 years ago today, assassinated Dessalines
and abrogated Haiti's 1805 Constitution. The three documents are
letters written by the actors of the time.
The first letter, dated October 18, 1806, the day after Dessalines'
assassination, is signed by Alexandre Pétion and addressed
to Henri Christophe, asking him as general of the army to take
power. The second letter, dated two days after the assassination,
on Oct. 19, 1806, is written by General Alexandre Petion and addressed
to Mrs. Dessalines trying to justify the assassination of her
husband. General Etienne Gérin writes the third letter,
also dated, October 18, 1806, the day after Dessalines assassination
on the Red Bridge, to Henri Christophe. General Etienne Gèrin
along and Alexandre Petion are generally credited with being accomplices
and ordering Dessalines' assassination. Although right after Dessalines'
assassination, Alexandre Petion, the mulatto who had argued with
Dessalines over having the assets of the country equitably shared
and therefore conspired to assassinate Haiti's founding father
had appealed to the powerful Henri Christophe to take power, he
then quickly betrayed Christophe by submitting himself as ruler
of the Republic of Haiti.
Christophe, feeling betrayed by Petion, in turn, declared war
on Petion and the Haitian nation was split into two, the South
governed by President Alexandre Petion and North by King Henri
Christophe until his suicide. But not before the generals who
supported Dessalines' government and those who were Dessalines'
partisans had been exterminated by either Petion, Christophe,
or the other insurgent generals* (Yayou, Gerin, Boyer...) Haitian
heros and leaders who supported the masses' desires for an equitable
share of lands and were Dessalines' partisans were imprisoned
and/or immediately executed, like Boirond Tonnerre, Capois Lamort,
Charlotin Marcadieux and others.
Alexandre Petion, Haiti's most powerful general and future head
of state, writing to Mrs. Dessalines, is an immensely important
detail. It reveals, if nothing else, the esteem with which she
was regarded and perhaps even the power that was held by Empress
Marie Claire Heureuse Félicité Bonheur Dessalines
(1758- 1858), in her own right.
This, October 17, 2006 is a special day. It's a day of completion.
Today, let the truth about Haiti, its history, its peoples, resources,
triumphs and special courage, be heard.
Èzili Dantò
Executive Director and Founder,
Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
(dedicated to defending the civil, cultural and human rights of
Haitians living at home and abroad and to institutionalizing the
rule of law
and democracy in Haiti)
October 17, 2006
***\
* Petion declared himself
President for life and spent 12 years in power. Boyer who followed
him stayed in power for 25 years. For these total of 37-years
the name of Jean Jacques Dessalines was forbidden.
***********************************
Support HLLN works. Help us continue this work. Make a donation
at:
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/donate/donate.html
Expose the Lies
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/expose.html
***********************************
October 17, 1806 to October 17, 2006 - 200 years since the assassination
of Haiti's founding father - 1805 Constitution torn by October
17, 1806 Coup d’état bayonets, excerpt from "La
Constitution de 1805...deux cents ans après: Les chants
de resistance" by Bell Angelot, p.125 to 130, translated
into English for the Èzili Dantò Witness Project, by Frantz Jerome,
Oct. 17, 2006
Excerpt:
"...1805 Constitution torn by October
17, 1806 Coup d’état bayonets
The October 17, 1806 Coup d’état
did not merely put an end to the life of a man, it also meant
the end of a constitution, of a true social contract. It also
marked the end of the alliance between two classes ideology diametrically
opposed. These differences were manifested throughout the colonial
era. Dessalines, for the common good, had agreed to a historical
compromise with Pétion. Colonial history reveals that every
time the interests of the class composed of “previously
freedmen” (Affranchis') were threatened, the freedmen negotiated
compromises either with the slaves against the colonists, or compromises
with the colonists against the slaves.
For example, in 1791 Ogé and Chavannes armed slaves against
white colonists in order to conquer their civil and political
rights. In September 1791, having witnessed the huge slave revolt
in the north, the Affranchis and whites signed an accord to curtail
the slave movement. The spilling of blood on November 21, 1791
broke this conjunctural or tactical understanding, known as the
Damien legal settlement. A few months earlier, the Affranchis
of the west had armed slaves against white colonists at the battle
of Pernier, near Port-au-Prince, promising to free them upon victory.
Once victorious, the slaves were exiled from the colony, to Jamaica,
from where they were ultimately returned to the colony to be exterminated
in the area of Mole St Nicolas. At the Arcahaie congress, a new
alliance was formed between previously and newly freedmen. Fresh
in the memory of the latter was the March 20, 1796 coup d’état
staged by Vilatte against Toussaint Louverture at Cap-Haitien,
the war started by Rigaud in the South against Toussaint Louverture
for the continuation of slavery.
Thus, on October 17, 1806, the era of coup d’états
and political instability was inaugurated in Haitian history.
From October 17, 1806 to February 29, 2004, thirty three coups
were recorded. And, “it is always the same water flowing.
Always the people’s blood flowing. Always the same song
that bring tears to the masses.” For the sake of truth,
history safeguarded three documents that prove that the October
17 coup was staged against the popular masses formed by newly
freed slaves, and ever since, the new oligarchy would rather form
alliances with foreign forces in order to frustrate all attempts
to implement a social contract that would benefit the popular
masses. The reading of the three documents will enlighten everyone’s
belief in order to contribute to a better interpretation of Haiti’s
actual conjuncture. Two hundred years later, one can repeat the
author who upon reflection stated that “1804 St Domingue
is no longer, but Haiti is yet to be.” .
The first letter signed by Pétion and addressed to Christophe,
was asking him as General of the army to take power. The second
one, addressed to Mrs. Dessalines from this same Pétion,
tried to justify their act. The third one, signed by Etienne Gérin
and dated October 18, 1806, year III of the independence, was
also addressed to Henri Christophe already recognized as general
in chief of the army and supreme chief of the government of Haiti.
In the same letter, Gérin proclaimed himself minister of
war and of the marines.
*
At the Port-au-Prince General Quarters, October 18, 1806
General of Division Pétion, Commander in Chief
Second Western Division,
To his Excellency the General in Chief of the Haitian Army
Henri Christophe.
General,
Having escaped the destructive blows that the ingrate and barbaric
government’s agents inflicted upon this country’s
inhabitants, we thought it well advised to entrust the means of
our reconstruction in the hands of a man who by personal danger
and experience, would, in a wise way, be able to bring happiness
in our midst, when he abused our patience and forced our will,
by crowning himself. We could have thought that at the height
of greatness and power, he would have realized that his power
was attained as a result of our tilling hands and at the cost
of our courage; he even appeared to have pondered upon it, and
we hoped that through the security of laws, we could have enjoyed
in a peaceful state the fruit of all the sacrifices we had never
ceased to make for so long.
What were the results? The general, once his authority confirmed,
forgot his duty and scornfully ignoring the sacred rights of a
free people, started to believe that true bliss stemmed from extreme
despotic and tyrannical power. Our hearts have groaned for a long
time, and we have only used subservience and docility to bring
him back to the principles of justice and moderation by which
he promised to govern us. His last trip in the South finally unveiled
his plans, even to the least intelligent, and proved to us that
our only means to protect ourselves and to protect against the
external enemies’ attacks, was a general uprising if we
wanted to avoid coming resolute destruction.
This spontaneous move, the rush of our oppressed hearts, produced
an effect as prompt as that of lightening. In a matter of days
both Southern divisions prepared; nothing could have stopped this
erruption for it was a move as just as it was sacred, that of
citizens’ rights violated with impunity. We joined our arms
to those of our southern brothers, moved by the same sentiments
and the army went to Port-au-Prince in the most admirable disposition
and the discipline, respecting property, never for a moment disrupting
agricultural work, nor spilling any blood.
Providence, that is infinite, manifested rejoice in this just
cause, by guiding the oppressor to his awaiting fate, and made
him meet the punishment of his crimes at the feet of the ramparts
of a city that he and his forces were coming to drown in the blood
of those like him, for to use his last statements, he wanted to
reign in blood.
We would not have finished the deed, general, if we were not sure
that there existed a chief made to rule the army with all the
latitude of power that until today it had in name alone. It is
in the name of this army, always faithful, obedient, disciplined
that we beg you, general, to take the reins of government, and
to make us enjoy the plenitude of our rights, of the freedom for
which we for so long struggled and to be the agent of our laws
that we swear we will respect, because they will be just.
I have the honor to salute you with a respectful attachment,
Pétion
*********************
Letter from Pétion to Mrs. Dessalines
on October 19, 1806.
Madame:
All of the most sacred laws of nature, violated by the one who
used to bear the name of your spouse, the general destruction
of true defenders of the nation his culpable mouth ordered imprisoned,
the excessive crimes, finally, led all oppressed citizens to take
arms to deliver themselves from this insupportable tyranny. The
sacrifice has taken place, as well as the vengeance. Here you
have Madame, a brief description of the last events, and the end
of the one who profaned the title that joined him to you.
“What a difference from virtue to crime? What contrast!
As soon as we breathe, subsequent to the great dangers, that while
lifting our hands towards the supreme being, your name, your inestimable
qualities, your pain, your patience to bear it, all came back
to our hearts and reminded us what power, appreciation, admiration
you inspire us.
Take comfort Madame, your are in the midst of a people that would
sacrifice their life for your happiness; forget that you have
been Dessalines’ spouse to become the adoptive spouse of
the most generous nation, that has only directed hate against
one oppressor. Your properties, all that belongs to you or upon
which you have some rights, is a repository put in our hands by
your fellow-countrymen. It is in the name of the entire army,
for which I am honored to be the interpreter, that I beg you,
Madame, to be assured of our sentiments for your virtues of which
the traits are indelibly etched in our hearts.
I have the honor of saluting you with respect.
The General, Commander of the Second Western Division.
Pétion
*************
Letter from Gérin to General Christophe
dated October 18, 1806.
Excellence,
It has been a while since our eyes desired you at our country’s
helm. Countless arbitrary acts, a reign of terror, innumerable
injustices and a government aiming at total destruction and subversion,
demanded that you succeeded the tyrant to make us forget, by your
virtues and your talents, the excesses of our Nero. The people’s
plight having reached its limit, it rose en masse against the
one who made it happen, and was preparing by force, its fall,
when divine providence directing the events, guided Dessalines
to Pont-Rouge, on the route of Cul-de-Sac, near the town, to be
fallen by the first shot fired since the beginning of this insurrection.
While commanding this ambush, I had given strict orders that he
not be killed, but rather be arrested so that he be tried. However,
once I yelled “halt!”, he grabbed one of his guns,
fired a shot and started a retreat and escape attempt. Then the
shot rang that hit him, subsequently a fusillade, an the soldier’s
furor reached a point where they mutilated his lifeless body.
Colonel Marcadieux died as well, trying to protect him, and many
were sadden by his death. The difficulty of containing rebelling
and exasperated spirits made it impossible to save this valuable
man. The rest of his troops are mostly here.
So, the tyrant is no more and public joy is applauding this event,
as it is naming you to govern us. The people and the army have
no doubt, excellence, that you would not refuse the functions
that they entrust you with the charge, by a well articulated and
spontaneous general will.
I have the honor to enclose, excellence, a letter of the chiefs
of the first Southern Division, a division that I have commanded,
and the happy results that have come about, samples of the popular
acts that proclaim you its chief, and the triplicate of a letter
that I wrote you from Anse-a-Veau, of which none, I believe, have
reached you, because the one I have the honor to enclose has been
given to me here.
I have the honor to be, with respect, of your excellency, the
very
humble and very obedient servant.
ET. Gérin
(Excerpted from "La Constitution de 1805...deux cents ans
après: Les chants de resistance" by Bell Angelot,
p. 125 - 130.)
*******
* Translator's Note: Affranchis are "previously
freedmen." Their freedom stemmed from a variety of reasons.
However, most of them were mulattoes freed by their father.
*************************************
Forwarded by the Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
"Men Anpil Chay Pa Lou! -
Many hands make a light load"
*************************************
Recommemded HLLN Links:
October 17, 1806 to October 17, 2006 - 200 years since the struggle
against neocolonialism in Haiti began, we still say, thank you
Jean Jacques Dessalines, for being so far ahead of your time.
https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/ezilidanto/2006-10/msg00007.html
Elevate Dessalines, goodness and the spirit of unity tomorrow,
Oct. 17, 2006 | Declaration/rapport activités (30 Sept.
2006) | Thousands in Haitimarch to end reign of terror by death
squads and UN troops | Aba lokipasyon peyi Desalin nan! - Aktivite
NY Madi, 17 Octòb 2006, Komite Kont Jenosid an Ayiti |
Desalin di: Depi teritwa nou an menase, "koupe tèt,
boule kay" paske Ayisyen pap retounen lan esklavaj | I want
the assets of the country to be equitably divided.." Jean
Jacques Dessalines
https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/ezilidanto/2006-10/msg00006.html
October
17, 2006, the bicentennial of Dessalines' assassination - Join
HLLN, throughout the month of October, 2006 in celebrating the
life, triumphs, achievements and ideal of Haiti's revolutionary
hero and founding father
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/dessalines.html
List of October 17th activities:
Dessalines' Zero Tolerance for despots - Liberty or death
Detonate and burn Haiti down and die before you accept a return
to
slavery and colonialism. Desalin di: Depi teritwa nou an menase,
"koupe
tèt, boule kay" paske Ayisyen pap retounen lan esklavaj
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/kangamundele.html#zero
*****************FRENCH ORIGINAL:
“Constitution de 1805 déchirée
par les baionnettes du Coup d’état du 17 octobre
1806
Le coup d'état du 17 octobre 1806 n'a pas mis fin seulement
à la vie d'un homme, mais aussi elle a consacré
la fin d'une constitution, d'un vrai contract social. Elle a consacré
aussi la fin d'une alliance entre deux classes d'idéologie
diamétralement opposée. Cette opposition s'est manifesté
tout au cours de la période coloniale. Dessalines, pour
le bien de la cause avait accepté un compromis historique
avec Pétion. L'histoire coloniale a révélé
que chaque fois que les intérêts de la classe des
anciens libres étaient menacés, elle entrait en
compromis soit avec les esclaves contre les colons, ou en compromis
avec ces derniers contre les esclaves….Donc le 17 octobre
1806 fut inaugurée l’ère des coup d’état
et de l’instabilité polique dan notre histoires.
Du 17 octobre 1806 à 29 fevrier 2004 on a enregistré
trente trios. Et depuis: << c’est toujour la même
eau qui coule. C’est toujours le sang du people qui coule.
Toujours la même chanson qui fait pleure la foule.>>…”
(Excerped from "La Constitution de 1805...deux cents ans
après: Les chants de resistance" by Bell Angelot,
p. 125.)
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