Portrait of The Battle of Vertières

by Gerlin Olin

[PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti] – Every year on November 18th, the Haitians around the world celebrate the Battle of Vertières to honor the country’s victory and pride. Today, in 2020, it is the 217th Anniversary of The Battle of Vertières.

The Battle of Vertières is known as the last major battle of the Haitian Revolution and the final part of the Haitian Revolution under Emperor Jean Jacques Dessalines.

According to reports, it was fought on 18 November 1803 between the Haitian indigenous army, and Napoleon’s French expeditionary forces, who were openly committed to re-enslave the formerly enslaved people and regain control of the island.

The Haitian Revolution leaders fought the expeditionary troops and the French that controlled most of the territory of St. Domingue. The only places controlled by the French forces were Môle St. Nicolas, held by Noailles, and Cap-Français, where, with 5,000 troops, and the French General Rochambeau was at bay.

The Battle of Vertières’s goal was to take over the land formerly known as Cap-Français to turn it into Cap-Haïtien, the land belongs to Haiti, not the French.

During the 21st century, on November 17, 2020, the Haitians across Haiti and across the diaspora have taken to the streets in Haiti to celebrate such victory. Remembering in 1802, the revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture was captured by Napoleon’s troops. From the ship that would lead him to his prison cell, and eventual death, Louverture said: “In overthrowing me, you have done no more than cut down the trunk of the tree of black liberty in St. Domingue. It will spring back from the roots, for they are numerous and deep.” After Emperor Toussaint Louverture’s death, his friend Jean Jacques Dessalines continued the fight for liberty by leading the resistance to the French.

On November 17, 2020, according to Werley Nortreus, a Haitian political leader and the founder of Vanyan Sòlda Ayiti and A New Haiti Before 2045 (ANHB 2045), he said on Bon Déjeuner! Radio that November 18th is a historic day for the Haitians and Africans. A day that Haitians celebrate the victory of the Battle of Vertières.

“The Battle of Vertières’s victory honors the value and the character of my fellow Haitians and Africans brothers and sisters across the world. If my ancestors didn’t fight the French and the troops, our beautiful city currently known as Cap-Haïtien wouldn’t be ours. Not just Cap-Haïtien, so many other cities. Victory belongs to us.”, said Mr. Werley Nortreus, a political leader and founder of Vanyan Sòlda Ayiti and A New Haiti Before 2045 (ANHB 2045).

After the death of Emperor Toussaint Louverture, his friend Jean Jacques Dessalines continued the fight for liberty by leading the resistance to the French and he won. The battle occurred less than two months before Dessalines’ proclamation of the independent Republic of Haiti on 1 January 1804.

The post Haiti Celebrates the Anniversary of The Battle of Vertières appeared first on South Florida Caribbean News.

Puma has welcomed Dua Lipa into its family.

The sports brand announced on Tuesday (Nov. 17) that the pop star will work with the company’s women’s business to inspire females around the world through campaigns and inclusive initiatives. In 2021, Lipa will headline Puma’s “She Moves Us” campaign, which aims to empower and connect women through sport and culture.

The “Levitate” singer took to Twitter to announce the exciting partnership, sharing a pair of mirror selfies in athletic wear, writing, “clearly very excited to announce that i’ve joined the @PUMA family as their new brand ambassador!!! Can’t wait for u to see what we have in store for ya.”

Puma will also sponsor Lipa’s upcoming “Studio 2054″ virtual performance, where she and her will be seen rocking looks from the sports company. Puma is offering a limited batch of discounted tickets for the show here.

Team Blake’s Ben Allen and mother-daughter trio Worth the Wait went head-to-head for a countrified knockout round on Tuesday night’s (Nov. 17) episode of The Voice, leaving coach Blake Shelton with a difficult decision to make.

Ben Allen paid tribute to his girlfriend of seven years with a romantic rendition of Luke Combs’ “She Got the Best of Me,” while Worth the Wait chose Tanya Tucker’s “Delta Dawn” to flex their characteristically angelic harmonies.

Shelton ended up choosing Worth the Wait to move on to the next round. “I just feel like Mia and Jacie are still in development and we’re going to see huge strides in their confidence and talent,” he shared. “I think it’s time a trio makes it to the finale on this show.”

But the country star’s fiancée Gwen Stefani wasn’t about to let Allen go home so soon. She quickly pressed her “steal” button, keeping him in the competition. “I’m excited to have country on my team,” she shared.

Watch the full scene below.

You haven’t seen the last of Nick Jonas on The Voice, especially his old coaching buds Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and John Legend.

The Jonas Brothers member will officially return as a coach for season 20 of the NBC singing competition series. He first joined in season 18 last year, but Gwen Stefani replaced him for the ongoing season 19. Now it’s time for another switcheroo.

“Warriors never sleep. I’m back and ready to win this thing,” Jonas tweeted, along with his comeback clip that turns from calming to competitive in an instant. “See you next season on @nbcthevoice!! PS – Hope you’ve been training @blakeshelton @kellyclarkson @johnlegend…. #TheVoice.”

In the hilarious skit, the three current coaches (sans Stefani) contemplate backstage who will be joining them next season before they stumble upon a meditating Jonas who’s clearly in the zone. But his meditations are a lot tenser than expected, as he revisits memories of him and Shelton duking it out from the swivel chairs.

“I’ve been living and breathing The Voice since season 18. I’ve honed in my skills. Channel your inner champion. Make Blake cry,” he says in the voice-over with an evil chuckle. “Little do these coaches know I’ve grown stronger by the day. The newbie has now become the master.”

Clarkson, Legend and Shelton all welcomed him back with sweet tweets, but Shelton might’ve sprinkled in a slight threat when he tweeted, “Well look who’s back @NickJonas! Are you sure you want me to beat you for a second time??”

Watch Jonas’ warrior-like return below.