As part of the Commemoration of the 216th Anniversary of the Battle of Vertières this November 18, the former Consul General of Haiti in Chicago Lesly Condé (2004-2018) shared his reflections on this major event where ancestors who, by destroying slavery at the price of their blood, showed the whole of humanity the way to freedom.

Reflections of Lesly Condé :

"Dear compatriots from everywhere,

This year, we commemorate the 216th anniversary of the famous Battle of Vertières, an event which, incidentally, has never attracted the attention of historians around the world despite its magnitude and all the consequences it has led on a planetary scale. This scathing reality speaks of the condition of true human rights in this pseudo-civilized world. It also speaks of this hundred-year-old systematic isolation that explains the dizzying decline of our nation yet so glorious origins.

Indeed, the 18th of November of each year should present to the whole world an opportunity to turn toward HAITI, the first black state of the New World, and to pay a well deserved tribute to my ancestors who, by destroying slavery at the price of their blood, showed the whole of humanity the way to freedom. Vertières is the triumph of bravery in the face of tyranny, pragmatism in the face of fatalism and human rights in the face of greed. In commemorating the 216th anniversary of this colossal battle, we are not only celebrating the military genius and unparalleled determination of an army of negroes who are malnourished and under-equipped in the face of the best army of the moment. Vertières marked the beginning of a new era, of a new world order, so to speak.

Vertières is therefore part of the world's historic heritage. The heroism of our ancestors is not less than that of the European generals who are venerated for their conquests. Rather than dispossess and subjugate anyone, our brave fathers united to defeat the invading tyrants who had subjugated and dispossessed them of their humanity... But Vertièresbelongs first to the Haitian nation. At a time as painful as the one we are currently experiencing under the indifferent gaze of the world, Vertières reminds us that if there is a nation capable of getting out of this bad situation, this nation is called HAITI.

It only remains for me to wish you a good day of Vertières in safety. Wherever you are, whatever you do, think of HAITI.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !"

HL/ HaitiLibre