Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A Youthquake

NOW let us hear what the Young people can do... the FACEBOOK group is organizing.

If you have a group that is collecting for Haiti, add your information to their page.

SAVANNAH


Savanna Elizabeth Berit Richie (Sidwell Friends School) wrote at 6:36pm yesterday:"Many people where I live are much more focused on New Orleans, which I think is sad.
New Orleans was definitely not hit as hard by the hurricanes as Haiti this time around.
People should stop worrying about what could have happened in our country and help
everyone in Haiti recover from these storms!
I do not know of any ways to help in my area (silver spring/takoma park MD)
but I would like to help if I can so if anyone knows anything a fourteen-year-old can do
(if there is anything) let me know.
Savanna"
-How do you respond to a 14 years old with such a profound statement?
Sincerely I'm not sure.
But in the mean time let me tell you a forgotten story about your name,
that could help you understand who we are.
Lionel



Hayti’s Aid in 1779: How Eight Hundred of Her Freedmen Fought for America.

The New York Tribune, 6 July 1921
To the Editor of the Tribune.

Sir:
The generous Haytian contribution to the cause of the independence of the United States is scarcely known in this country, for the American historians do not mention the fact.
In 1779, 24 yrs before Haytian independence, responding to the call of the Comte d’Estang, the Affranchis, that is to say the Haytain freedmen numbering about 800 blacks and mulattoes, left their families and their homes and went to fight side by side with the soldiers of George Washington.
At the seige of Savannah, the colored sons of Hayti fearlessly shed their blood for the independence of the United States.In an official record prepared in Paris, secured by Richard Rush, the American Minister to Paris in 1849, and preserved in the Pennsylvania Historical Society, are these words:
This legion saved the army at Savannah by bravely covering its retreat. Among the blacks who rendered signal services at that time were: Andre, Beauvais, Rigaud, Villatte, Beauregard, Lambert, who latterly became generals under the convention, including Henri Christophe, the future King of Hayti.The Haytian legion in the army of Comte d’Estang was known in the army as Fontages’s legion, commanded by Vicomte de Fontages. They met the fierce charge of Lieutenant Colonel Maitland and saved the retreating Franc-American army from total disaster.

The Haytian people know that the great American nation, burning for liberty and justice, having the highest traditions of political ideals and human solidarity, the champion of the defenseless peoples of the world, is always working for the happiness of mankind.

Having aided the united colonies of N. Amer. in 1779 to achieve their independence, the Haytian people remain convinced that they can to-day expect from the spirit of justice and humanity of the American people and their present government a more attentive consideration of Hayti’s freedom, rights, and interests.

by Stenio Vincent, NY July 4, 1921.

For those who now wish to come to the aid of Haiti.
visit:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39716664248

http://groups.google.com/group/somebodypleasehelphaiti/web/us-contact-info---drop-points

No comments: