HAITI'S FORMER DICTATOR RETURNS

A few days ago the world looked to Haiti as it remembered the devastating earthquake that rocked the small country a year ago. The world had to face the fact that even after millions of dollars were raised to aid Haiti there is still not a lot of difference between now and a year ago. As if Haiti is not dealing with enough between picking up the pieces from the earthquake and alleged fraudulent activity in a presidential election, the former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier has suddenly returned from exile. Many people are asking why has he decided to return now and what will this mean for Haiti's future.
MeaLee

via CNN.com


Port-Au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, Haiti's former dictator, returned unexpectedly Sunday to the country after some 25 years in exile, adding uncertainty into an already turbulent situation.

He arrived in the Haitian capital as the nation is grappling with a political crisis, sparked by fraud allegations in a presidential election. It was not immediately clear why the former leader returned.
Duvalier, wearing a dark suit and tie, greeted supporters at the busy Port-au-Prince airport. He was traveling with his wife.

The Duvalier family ruled Haiti for three decades starting in 1957, when Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier was elected president. He later declared himself president for life. When he died in 1971, he was succeeded by his 19-year-old son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier.

HOPE 4 HAITI

Hope for Haiti is a benefit concert in Columbus, Ohio to be held at The Kings Art Complex Theater, Friday, January 22nd, 2010 @7pm. The cost is $10 @ the door and all proceeds go to the American Red Cross (of Columbus, Ohio) specifically for their efforts in aiding Haiti in Disaster relief & recovery.
Hope for Haiti is the collaborative effort of many of Columbus' young entrepreneurs. Feeling they were all called to help Haiti in some way, they decided to use the resources and networks they all possessed and invite the community out for what will prove to be a GREAT show & an easy way to give to this ongoing effort. Haiti will continue to need everyone's help and the concert is just touching the surface but will show the community and Haiti that we are committed to helping the world at large. We are all connected in some way.


The organizing sponsors of Hope for Haiti: BLAKstar Media, REACH LLC, Cover Me LLC, WUGR, The FlyPaper,  Hipolicy Magazine, JWORK LTD, De2 Media, 3 Birds Collective, Soulo Theory Design & LudieTrends, thank you all for your support and hope to see you on Friday for what will prove to be a good time. 


For more info follow us on twitter @hope4haiti  
Click the Flyer on the side of the website to RSVP via Facebook


The Concert Lineup: 
The Liquid Crystal Project
L.e
Speak Williams
Barbara Fant
Fly Union
Flex Crew
Carlotta Penn 


Hosted by Javier Sanchez

See The Event Posted on Columbus Alive's The a-list 
Take the time to read the following Haitian facts. From these brief facts you will see a history of a truly resilient people, who fought off slavery and survived civil wars, countless massacres and truly oppressive leadership.

- From 1697 to 1791 Saint Domingue, now Haiti, was the richest colony in the world. Its capital, Cap Français, is known as the Paris of the New World.

-Haiti is the Second independent nation and First black-governed republic and kingdom in the Western Hemisphere

-The Haitian army defeated the French forces of Napoleon in the Battle of Vertieres on 18th November 1803.

-This war resulted in the Louisiana Purchase in 1802 that doubled the America's size, making it formidable enough to withstand almost any outside threat. It gave America its heartland, as well as control of the Mississippi River and the important port city of New Orleans on the Gulf of Mexico.

- The Haitian Revolution was the catalyst for the Abolitionist movement and the end of slavery in America.

- In 1779, Free Haitians called “Les Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue” volunteered to fight for American Independence from the British

-Haiti is the first black republic in the world on January 1, 1804 and have remained independent to this day.

OUR FIRST LADY FOR RED CROSS ON HAITI RELIEF

~♥Shené

YELE HAITI (SCREAM HAITI)

If you have not been paying attention to the news, internet, people talking, if you have been sleep then maybe you have not heard that yesterday a major earthquake (7.0 on the Richter Scale) has rocked the western hemisphere's poorest country Haiti. Our prayers  go out to the families, the people and the country of Haiti, but at this time they need help! Many countries and organizations are giving relief to help an already economically depressed country, get involved! Even if it's only sending $5, I know the world economy is weak and our pockets maybe empty but it's time to lend a helping hand; as one poet (AP) whom I admire greatly says "Be mindful that we are all - in some form or fashion - connected"

Click The Links below for more information & how you can help

Donate to the Haitian Relief Efforts via yele.org

Donate here as well via The Haitian Alliance Inc.

Updates of event after the earthquake via CNN

More photos & info on the Earthquake in Haiti

txt "yele" 501501 to make a 5$ donation to YeleHaiti - Wyclef Jean's organization (charged to your cellphone bill)

txt "Haiti" to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross's Haitian relief efforts (charged to your phone bill)

If anyone receives any calls or inquiries about locating family, friends, etc. in Haiti Call 1-888-407-4747 and follow the instructions. The State Dept is asking for patience. Pleae keep trying if the line is busy. The advisories will be on travel.state.gov