Sunday, as part of the commemoration of the 208th anniversary of the death of the Founding Father of the Haitian Nation, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Lesly Condé, the Consul General of Haiti in Chicago has issued a message to the Haitian community gathered in the Church of Our Lady of Peace for the occasion https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-6887-haiti-diaspora-206th-anniversary-of-jean-jacques-dessalines.html

Message from Consul Lesly Condé :

"I am quite pleased to see that you remain faithful to the yearly commemoration of the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines and the celebration of his life. As always, I appreciate the opportunity to share your company in the house of the Lord and to bring you the very warm greetings of the Consulate General of Haiti and its staff.

First and foremost, I must thank the heads of this Congregation who have made it a dependable ally for our community.

As we pay homage to the Father of our Nation on the occasion of the two hundred and eighth (208th) anniversary of his passing, this is a good time to meditate on the stature of our tiny country in the history of mankind. At the same time, we must also think about our responsibility toward our identity that is the result of some extraordinary sacrifices...The name Jean-Jacques Dessalines¨ is hardly known in this freedom-loving world. Isolation has been the heaviest price to pay for our freedom.

The circumstances of Dessalines’ death reveal one of the most troubling psychological traits of our species. This is why we must draw our inspiration from this great man’s life. His courage and pragmatism are the examples that must lead us away from our identity of discord and self-hatred that delights our eternal detractors.

In closing, once again, I thank the heads of the Congregation for their undying solidarity. As for you, my brothers and sisters, be proud of your identity and let your children know about their exceptional heritage. May God bless you !"

HL/ HaitiLibre