"Yes We Did, " Haiti's Tie to Barack Obama

Barack Obama - Toussaint Louverture

On March 3rd, 2008, Barack Obama became the first African American ever to win a major party's nomination for the White House. On November 4, 2008, he became the first African American to be elected President of the United States.

Today, January 20, 2009, Barack Hussein Obama II, the son of an African man from Kenya, will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, at high noon, at the U.S. Capitol.

On behalf of all the citizens of the Republic of Haiti, on behalf of the Haitian government, President Barack Obama definitely deserves to be congratulated for becoming the first black President of the United States.

In 1791, black slaves in Haiti rose up and sent shockwaves of freedom throughout the world. In 1797 a black man named Toussaint Louverture became the first black Commander In Chief in the world.

"Yes We Did"

More than 200 years ago Toussaint Louverture said "Yes We Can"

"Yes We Did"

He forever abolished slavery in what would become Haiti, the first black country in the world, second independent republic in America.

Today, 218 years from the day Haitians said "Hell No" to slavery, a black man has been sworn in to hold the highest office in the most powerful country in the world.

"Yes We Did"

Haiti, just like his grandmother, is standing tall, in cheer pride, both looking at Barack Obama, both saying:

"fruits of my labor!"

"Yes We Did"

Today, 218 years later, Haiti is still paying for the price of liberty, however Haitians around the world should be proud of their heritage, Haitians should be proud of who they are, and Haitians should be proud of their accomplishments.

"Yes We Did"

Listening to the American media, you would never think that Haitians are responsible for what is happening in America this January day in history but let it be known that, we the people of the Republic of Haiti, we own the copyright to the liberty of the blacks and we have the scars to prove it.

"Yes We Did"

"O ayiti La Mize-w dwol." says singer Emeline Michel in a song, "men ou chante libete-w an kreyol, wap toujou chante libete-w an kreyol." (Oh Haiti your misery is strange but you sing your liberty in Creole, you will always sing your liberty in Creole)

Over the years, Haiti has had some serious leadership problems. Many Haitians are hoping that Barack Obama's message of change reaches the ears of the new generation of Haitian leaders to bring change to Port-Au-Prince as Obama intends to bring change to Washington.

Every time Barack Obama shouts "Yes We Can", Haitians can shout proudly "Yes We Did." We made history more than two hundred years ago, because of that, President Barack Obama is making history today.

"Yes We Did"

I am Woodring Saint Preux and I said it.

Visit our Barack Obama Louverture Blog at http://www.ObamaLouverture.com

There is more to Haiti than what you see on TV and read in the newspapers, visit www.Fouye.com if you really want to know the social aspect of "Haiti Cherie.

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