Reading Notes Week 7: Dessalines Part A

I thought this "proclamation" of "Liberty or Death" was interesting yet hard to read sometimes. I was expecting this to be like the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, and I guess it kind of is, but it isn't. I also thought that there were a lot of long sentences which made me get lost on what the sentence is trying to say or the point the author is making. I would have liked shorter sentences that made more sense, and it'd be for an easier read, too. One sentence I thought was interesting was when Dessalines writes, "Yes, we have rendered to these true cannibals war for war, crime for crime, outrage for outrage; Yes, I have saved my country..." (Pg. 37) I thought it was interesting because it says "true cannibals" - who are these cannibals and what makes them cannibals? I also liked how it goes war for war, crime for crime, outrage for outrage - I find it flows well and sounds good when read in my mind. I also like when Dessalines writes, "Blacks and yellow, whom the refined publicity of Europeans has for a long time endeavored to divide..." (Pg. 37) I liked this because I've always found the divide amongst different races, cultures, sexes, etc. so fascinating. I think the meaning behind this passage is that for a very long time, blacks, whites, yellows, etc. have always been divided. A lot of different ethnicities, races, cultures, religions, and so much more, have gone through a lot throughout our history. With the Olympics being recently held in Pyeongchange, South Korea, I always find it amazing how all these countries can come together, undivided, and be true humans and athletes and make their respective countries proud. It seems at the Olympics, wherever they are held, seem to bring out people and our countries around the world together for a brief few weeks. I wish and hope that we can come together so peacefully like the Olympics more often.