Struggle of Voodoo

Debunking misconceptions around Voodoo #VoodooTruth

[Struggle of Voodoo @voodoo_of]

Voodoo is more than just something one picks up on the side of the road. It’s a lifestyle that’s filled with history and culture to bring people together

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A prime example of this is Louis Dante Bellegarde who is regarded as a brilliant Haitian thinker and critic but who also denounced Voodoo in his works

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We must also take note that even famously regarded individuals might even seem to have their own set biases towards Voodoo that may lead to negative impacts

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Voodoo was used as a way to challenge the restrictions and prejudices put on them by religion or the patriarchy

[Struggle of Voodoo @voodoo_of]

Let’s take a moment to realize the IMPORTANCE WOMEN have in both Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo

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Whatever you do, don’t walk up to someone who actually believes and practices Vodou and tell them about all the books you’ve read or all the videos you’ve seen

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Whenever someone comes up to a voodoo practitioner asking them to curse someone they had a falling out with

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People were so scared and attacked that these practitioners formed religious congregations disguised as restaurants, shops and even other sorts of churches

[Struggle of Voodoo @voodoo_of]

Did you know that Louisiana Voodoo was a method used to criminalize African Americans in the justice system?

[Struggle of Voodoo @voodoo_of]

Just look at the game telephone for example

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The diaspora of Voodoo practitioners makes it difficult them to form communities and pass on the culture that surrounds Voodoo to future generations

[Struggle of Voodoo @voodoo_of]

In addition to this, much of the struggle has to deal with the method in which the traditions are passed down, which is orally. And we all know that keeping accurate accounts of certain things is difficult to do when transmitted orally

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Let’s have a moment of silence to realize how inclusive and progressive Vodou is in comparison to some major prominent religions

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As compared to the Voodoo in Louisiana coming from the Kongo

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Many of those who practice Haitian Vodou come from the Dahomeyan ethnic groups of West Africa

[Struggle of Voodoo @voodoo_of]

Also very important was the fact that Haitian Vodou was used as a political tool to add fuel to the superstitions that French colonialists had of Haitian Vodou

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Haitian Vodou was used as a force to help unify the people during the fight for independence

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Let’s take a second to recognize that Voodoo practitioners are portrayed in the Western media as evil

[Struggle of Voodoo @voodoo_of]

The fact that some people think Vodou is evil and bad just proves that they’ve been conditioned by Christian teachings that have ultimately led to the oppression of Vodou

[Struggle of Voodoo @voodoo_of]

Haitian Vodou incorporates various groups of people into their religion including but not limited to homosexuals and the homeless