VOODOO

voo·doo ˈvo͞oˌdo͞o/Submit noun 1. a black religious cult practiced in the Caribbean and the southern US, combining elements of Roman Catholic ritual with traditional African magical and religious rites, and characterized by sorcery and spirit possession. synonyms: witchcraft, magic, black magic, sorcery, wizardry, dark arts, devilry, hoodoo, necromancy, mojo "the elders still practice voodoo" verb 1. affect (someone) by the practice of voodoo. IF VOODOO WORKED, OTHER THAN IN THE MINDS OF MESMERIZED, SUPERSTITIOUS, BLACK PEOPLE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WHITE PEOPLE LEFT TO ENSLAVE THEM. THAT THE WHITES REMAINED, PROVES VOODOO'S FATEFUL FALLACY. EVEN SO, IT WORKED WELL ENOUGH EARLY IN SAINT DOMINIQUE AS A RALLYING AGENT FOR HOODOO PRIEST, AND LEADER, BOUKMAN, BEFORE TOUSSAINT L'OVERTURE, A DEVOUT AND LITERATE CHRISTIAN, ROSE UP TO LEAD MORE PERFECTLY. TOUSSAINT LED THE BLACK SLAVES OF SAINT DOMINIQUE TO FREEDOM FROM FRENCH SLAVERY TO "HAITIAN" MILITARY GLORY. HAITI WAS LATER LED INTO NATIONHOOD, UNDER DESSALINES, HIS MORE EFFICIENT SUCCESSOR. TOUSSAINT WAS TRICKED, DECEIVED BY THE FRENCH, WHO BAITED HIM WITH FLATTERY ABOARD THEIR ADMIRAL'S SHIP WITH HONORS AND PRAISES. ONCE THERE, TOUSSAINT WAS KIDNAPPED, SAILED TO FRANCE, AND STARVED TO DEATH IN A DUNGEON IN THE JURAL ALPS BY HIS FRENCH FELLOW-CATHOLICS UNDER PRETENSES OF PEACE. VOODOO OR NOT BEWARE FAWNS OF FLATTERY!