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  January 2: A Call to Honor Our Ancestors Beyond the Cult of Personality By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) Haiti’s January 2, celebrated as the "Jour des Aïeux" (Day of the Ancestors), stands as a solemn reminder of the collective struggle and triumph of our forebears. Yet, as we commemorate this day, it is imperative to move beyond the cult of personality and embrace a collective vision that honors the contributions of all who fought for Haiti’s independence. The victories of 1804 were not the result of one man’s heroism alone, but of a unified effort by countless Haitians, from generals to maroons, who gave their lives for freedom. The Evolution of January 2 Originally established as a national holiday to honor Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the Day of the Ancestors evolved in 1904 during Haiti’s centennial celebrations. Under the leadership of President Nord Alexis, the day was redefined to commemorate all those who had fought for independence. As histori...

 Haiti’s 1803 Proclamation Revisited: Diplomacy, Defiance, and Lessons for a 'complot des gens de bien'? By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (Le francais suit) Haiti’s Proclamation of Independence, signed on November 29, 1803, at Fort-Dauphin, marked a defining moment in world history. As the first nation founded by former enslaved people, Haiti’s leaders—Dessalines, Christophe, and Clervaux—declared their unyielding determination to break free from French colonial rule. However, this historic document’s tone and strategic decisions have sparked centuries of debate [1,2]. Was it a pragmatic masterstroke to secure Haiti’s survival, as librarian Patrick Tardieu suggests [2], or a missed opportunity to set a firm precedent of justice and sovereignty? And what lessons can it teach us in today’s Haiti, mired in crises of governance, security, and sovereignty? A Document Torn Between Defiance and Pragmatism The Proclamation is a study in duality. On one hand, it delivers an unrelenting ...

  Haiti’s First Proclamation of Independence: A Missed Opportunity? By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (Le Français suit) The Proclamation of Independence issued on November 29, 1803, at Fort-Dauphin (present-day Fort-Liberté) stands as a cornerstone of Haitian history. Signed by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Henri Christophe, and Clervaux, it declared Saint-Domingue’s (Haiti's) independence from French colonial rule. This document, hailed as a testament to the resilience and vision of Haiti's leaders, was revolutionary in its rhetoric but, upon closer examination, reveals compromises that raise questions about its stance toward justice and accountability [1]. A Bold Declaration in an Age of Enlightenmen t The Proclamation’s language reflects the fiery resolve of Dessalines and his contemporaries to abolish slavery and protect their hard-won freedom. The statement, “We have sworn to punish anyone who dares speak to us of slavery,” is as unequivocal as it is defiant. It captures the spi...