Haitian Motto calls for a greater sense of unity.

        Nearly two hundred years ago, Haiti’s forefathers shook up the yoke of slavery by fighting the Napoleonian army and led the island to its independence from France. This historical chapter set Haiti as the First Black Republic in the world.
        At the onset of the century and the twilight of Haiti’s two hundred years of independence, the Haitian community in Massachusetts reflects on its journey. The road has not been easy; as people we cannot successfully shape our future without acknowledging our past, the areas where we failed and succeeded. Looking back, we come to the conclusion that the most prevailing time in Haitian history is the month of May. Therefore we proudly declare the month of May, “The Haitian Heritage Month” What is the legitimacy of this idea?
        On May 20th 1743, the Haitian general Toussaint Louverture was born. He successfully initiated large-scale military battles against the Spanish, British and the French armies paving the way for the Haitian independence.
        Between May16-18, 1803, different factions under the leadership of general Dessalines met in Arcahaie for a decisive congress and reached a consensus, which sealed the fate of the French army in Haiti.
        Third but not least, the congress of Arcahaie led to the observance of May 18 as the Haitian Flag Day. Most Haitian/people of the Haitian descent recognize and celebrate in their own way Haiti’s independence or the Flag Day.
        The Motto inscribed on the Haitian flag, “L’Union Fait La Force”-In Unity, there is strength, calls for us to reinstate a greater sense of unity, and cultivate a better sense of accountability to strengthen our democracy. We have a vested interest in shaping not only our future, but also the future of our community and our country. That mean we have to get involved at every level of the political process where decisions that affects our lives are made.
        In this month of heritage, as we reach out and connect our future with our past and proudly reaffirm our identity as individuals and as a nation, we challenge you to get involved and build a strong and healthy community. Join us throughout the year in different activities, but especially around the month of May for our “Haitian heritage Month.”
        On a final note, in the name of the committee of the Haitian-American unity parade, and the Haitian community, I extend my sincerest gratitude to all, private sponsors, states and city officials, for their continued support to the cause of the Haitian/Haitian-American community parade of Massachusetts.

Eno Mondésir
Chairman of the committee