If you were to ask non-Haitians who this great military strategist was? There is a high probability they wouldn't know; yet most people around the world probably heard the name Napoleon Bonaparte. The question is: shouldn't they also know the name of the man who defeated Bonaparte's army? Well! According to some activists in the Haitian community, there are two primary reasons as to why non-Haitians either don't know or chose not to honor this great hero.

The first reason being, he instilled fear and horror in the heart of white folks as a whole, but to Bonaparte's army in particular, 200 years ago. In 1804, the Western powers were looking at not only a free black nation, but a black leader who helped Simon Bolivar from Venezuela liberate Latin America; meanwhile, slavery was still rampant in the other islands of the Caribbean as well as in America. Dessalines came up with perhaps the first slogan in this hemisphere, “Koupe Tèt!” “Boule Kay!” Which, when translated from Creole means, cut their heads and burn their houses; and as we've learned from history, Dessalines' army did carry out his orders to the letter. The second reason is because Dessalines started a land distribution program. After Haiti's independence in 1804 to become the first Black Republic in the world, he wanted the assets of the country to be equitably distributed to all the people; not just the mulatto descendents of the French and a few black elite. He undertook a land distribution program and as result, he was assassinated. Since Dessalines was killed in Haiti in 1806, why are Haitians going to Rhode Island of all places to commemorate his death?

The commemoration of Dessalines' death seemed to have been more exciting this year than I've seen in the past. Perhaps it's because there is an occupying force in Haiti; as well as the fact that there is a monument with the pictures of Dessalines and Louverture erected in Roger Williams Park in Rhode Island; which is the 5th largest park in the Unite States with over 2 million visitors per year. On Sunday October 22nd 2006, the masses started assembling at 5 am; in front of radio Panou on a chili 40 degree Brooklyn temperature.

The bus, carrying about 35 people left Brooklyn at 6:30 am; & arrived in Rhode Island approximately around 10 am. A group of about 100 individuals gathered in the conference room inside the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium at Roger Williams Park. The mistress of ceremony, Ms. Marguerite Laurent, ESQ, got the program on the way with an introduction & then presented the speaker of the day, Professor Saintil Joseph. The professor spoke about the life of Jean Jacques Dessalines for about half an hour, and it was the audience's turn to ask questions for another half hour; which was extremely animated. The coordinator of the National Organization of Haitian Living Abroad, Roger Dazulme, who was responsible for bringing this monument into being, thanked everyone for their participation. He then asked the members of the audience to stand up as he called the names of the different localities they came from; in order for them to be recognized.

There were representatives from: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut; Pennsylvania, Massachusetts; Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Canada.
After this segment of the program was over, the crowd then marched out of the museum carrying posters of Dessalines to the nearby monument. While in front of the monument, there was a moment of silence; and the raising of the American flag while singing the American national anthem; followed by the raising of the Haitian flag while singing the Haitian national anthem. More guests spoke to the crowd; and there was the laying of the wreath. The ceremony ended there and the crowd headed to the reception hall where they had a festive lunch. Once lunch was over around 2 pm, it was time for everyone to return to their respective localities.

This year, the commemoration of Dessalines' death was a great success in the North East region of the United States. It was solemnly joyous especially due to the fact there was a monument with the picture of Dessalines and Louverture erected in a park named after a former slave owner. Once again, Toussaint and Dessalines conquered their enemies and made history, even in death!