WHY ARE YOU CRYING?

“ I remember like it was yesterday, when mother got up in the middle of the night to take me into the woods. No time to waste, all in a rush she was dragging me. Let's go !

“We don't usually go out in the dark like that and the ground was empty. People were celebrating the 'Notredam' or so I heard, but mother was taking me to aunt Iman. We were headed barefoot deep into the woods.

“Mother was walking with tears in her eyes, but she wouldn’t speak. Why are you crying mother? If I asked she wouldn’t tell. She just kept dragging me. I was so scared, so cold in the darkness and I was just a kid. I didn’t know anything. It was the first time I have gotten so far. When we arrived, there was already a lot of people. Aunt Iman was sharing soup among the attendees.

“People kept coming even after the soup was over. Aunt Iman took me inside while mother stayed outside talking. Her eyes red as ever she remained unbothered. When I got in bed I hesitantly asked,

“Why is my mother crying?”

“Oh my boy, if you knew what you got away from. One day you will understand, for now sleep the adults have to talk.”

“I don't know how but she just spoke to me and I was able to fall asleep. My feet were sore, I was just a kid who couldn’t understand why mother took me away in the middle of the night, she was crying non stop. However I knew I have nothing to fear where I was. I slept regardless the noise of the many people gathered outside.

“Yes I will never forget that night, we got up and ran into the woods at aunt Iman* If I knew then what was about to happen I honestly would not have slept, but I was a kid.

“So today I finally understand why mother was crying so much. It wasn’t fear, my mother was afraid of nothing except when I was sent for chores inside the pigs house. She always feared I would not come back one day. It wasn’t sadness either, mother was always sad so there was no need to even cry. Those pigs were constantly beating the woman, spitting on her and enter her room at night. They tortured her so often there was no need to even cry.

“So when I look at what we have accomplished here today in Vertieres, victory is ours. It's that same victory that mother was staring at with her tears I can see now. She had foreseen that this misery will meet an end and she had sworn in the woods at Iman's to never go back. For the road to freedom is walked barefoot with tears in the eyes.

“My general, the reason why I am telling you all this is to say thank you for this November 18th victory. A lot of our brothers and sisters have fallen, even mother….mmh…

“…even mother had fallen. They fell so we can stand free. My general thank you for taking us negros out of this hell. It is the highest honor to have been on this battlefield with you.”

The general stood there quietly observing the man. Then he moves forward and said,

“There is no more crying boy. If your mother was here, she would’ve wanted you to stand firm! We have a nation to lead. What is your name?

“Ati Tunte my general.”

“Well Ati, this victory does not mean the fight for the negros end here. The white man will not get over such a big slap in the face. This is why you need to remain firm with your eyes open. This freedom you have today, never forget what it cost you.”

Then with a pat on the shoulder, general François Capois left him and continued inspecting his troops.

On November 18th 1803, he led Haitian soldiers into victory against French colonial general Donatien de Rochambeau.

Several black liberators fell that day so the rest may walk free. A victory that took birth deep into the woods at aunt Iman's place where the negros took an oath “Rather be dead than be a slave, Freedom to all black people!”

A victory over the violation of rights and human traffic, over exploitation and social injustice done by white supremacists. A victory that led to liberations all around the continent of America and surprised the whole world.

In this manner, the Haitian people were two centuries ahead of its time considering that to this day we are fighting discrimination and abuse of human rights. In this manner Haiti deserves the gratitude of every black person today, everyone fighting for equality and social justice. Remember 217 years ago, Haitians placed the first brick in building a new world.

Today it is the poorest country in the continent of America. Walking barefoot and eyes full of tears because freedom for all black people has a very high price. Don’t be too quick to blame this people for it’s misery. As the general told Ati,

“The white man will not get over such a big slap in the face.”

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Setwoulemski

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