This Friday August 14, celebration of the 229th anniversary of the Bois Caïman Congress (August 14, 1791), Lesly Condé, Former Consul General of Haiti in Chicago (August 26, 2004 - May 25, 2018) issued as every year to all Haitians, a message of reflection that we invite you to share.

Message from Lesly Condé :

"Dear compatriots,

Here we are at that moment in August when we cannot avoid to think of our ancestors and the Bois Caïman Congress (August 14, 1791), a very significant event in the history of our country and that of humanity.

This world, which claims to be so enamored with justice and freedom, should celebrate with us every year this courageous gathering which was a declaration of love for universal freedom, that of every human being.

The story as we have learned it puts a lot of emphasis on the mystical aspect of the event that the authors of our textbooks have chosen to present to us under the title of "Ceremony of the Bois Caïman".

By studying this so important moment in history as described by historians of a certain era and of a certain trend, one has the impression of attending a macabre evening of witchcraft, of black magic. Even today, one of the refrains most used by racists insensitive to the current problems of Haiti is that we are a nation cursed because our ancestors defeated slavery through a pact with Satan. It is a theory which, in addition to being transparent, makes Satan a staunch defender of freedom.

The Bois Caïman Congress gives us every reason to be proud. We must also pass this pride on to our children.

Today, we salute this event as the authentic first universal declaration of human rights."

HL/ HaitiLibre