Ending The Step-Child Mentality

Liberians, old and young, see no reason why the United States of America is bent on not giving unprecedented and unconditional help to Liberia, even in time of great turmoil and mishap. The notion that Liberia is America's step child became a cancer in the minds of Liberians to the point that they expected America to save the country during its senseless civil war. America did what it could do, but it came very late in the game.

Liberians or the leaders thereof have not shown any sense of serious responsibility to the development of their country or the inclusiveness of the entire populace for the general good of the nation. I could not sit supinely as the thought of accusing fingers began pointing west.


We all know that Liberia announced her independence to the world in 1847. We all know that this piece of land situated on the West Coast of Africa, that was once the size of the State of Ohio and is now compared to the size of the State of Tennessee in the United States, has had 22-23 Presidents. We also know today that the country known as Liberia had a population that stood at 2.5 Million people for many years and that after 14 years of civil war, that nation can now boast of an addition of 500,000 more people just after that horrendous episode in its history.

Over the years, Liberia has been called by many different names: Little America, America's Step Child, Star of Africa, and many more that I can't recall at this particular moment. I have not been able to figure out whether Liberia's attachment to America was something allowed my the United States or whether this was a fantasy engraved in the minds of Liberians by those Liberians who enjoyed some special or cordial relationship with Uncle Sam. Why was Liberia considered America's step child when Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana or Kenya was never mentioned as Britain's adopted daughter or step anything? Why is Cote I'voire, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, or Cameroon not considered a step child of France?

Liberia or those who have been in charge of the country have had their share of ridicule from the step father. I remember President Doe being called Mr Moe by President Reagan. I also remember President Tolbert being talked about when a microphone was left open in the hall of Congress. From experience living in America for more than 15 years, I can put my head on the chopping board and say that Liberia's step father has had and continues to have serious kitchen-table conversations about how far Liberia has come since 1847.

This brings me to some of the comments made to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by Secretary Cohen in Minnesota. When asked why was it necessary for the United States to sit by and allow Liberians to eat each other up for 14 years, the Secretary said it was because the United States did not want Liberia to “become a ward of America.” In a more forceful explanation, Secretary Cohen shared with Liberians the attitude of the then National Security Advisor. Hear him: "National Security advisor Scowcroft said that the US could not intervene in the Liberian crisis because doing so would have meant that Liberia would perpetually be a ward to America.”

I know what a ward is but I felt the need to refresh my memory. So I googled the word. In a church, a ward is the local congregation; in a country, a ward is an electoral district. Even in mechanics, I found out that a ward is a mechanical lock. But the meaning that I felt meant a lot to America was the legal implication. In law, a ward is someone or something placed under the protection of a legal guardian. This last meaning has a huge responsibility attached and America did not want anything to do with it. I wonder whether this was the same feeling the great United States had when Rwanda was going through its share of hell.

It did not take long for the former Yugoslavia to get help from America. The people of Grenada did not have to call for help. Uncle Sam was in the streets of that country in a jiffy. In recent times, Iraq saves its money why Uncle Sam spends $10 Billion a month (or a week?) in that oil-rich country. Am I mad that America tolerated our inhumanity to each other for 14 long years? Am I pissed off that our presumed step father/mother took so long to wipe the tears from our eyes and to help heal the wounds we incurred during the war years? Am I that vexed? My emotions are mixed.

Liberians were made to believe that America would do anything for the country, no matter what, no matter when. I don't know how this notion came about, but for the downtrodden and less fortunate ones in Liberia, that perception and assumption worked. My father told me once...and this was a man who never set foot in a classroom...that if anything should happen to Liberia, America would be there instantly to protect the country. Unprovoked attack on Liberia by another country may generate some interest in the United States; but to say carte blanche that Uncle Sam would be willing to take up arms for a tiny, little country in Africa is just wishful thinking; or like my Togolese Principal used to say: A figment of our own imagination.

With my mixed emotions I am seriously tempted to ask: What have Liberians done for themselves lately? Do these people really love their country? Are Liberians willing to sacrifice their all for the best country in the world? Have those in power been truthful to the people they have governed over the years? Are Liberians patriotic enough to sacrifice for the country their forefathers left behind?

In times like these when I see Antoinette Sayeh leaving Liberia for a job in Washington, DC, I can not join those who celebrate her departure. I mourn the fact that here is a woman who could have a tremendous impart on the financial transparency of a country in distress. Yet, she has chosen to abandon ship that is in stormy seas. This means that those who can change mindsets are quick to develop cold feet at the least distraction. John Morlu at Auditing came under great threat and stress. He is still on board. Many others like Kofi Woods, whose origin is being questioned by an old mindset, remains committed to changing the way we have done things for ages. Banks, Gongloe, Toe; all of these Liberians are sacrificing something to make life better for the people.

If Liberians can demonstrate that they mean business when it comes to seeking the interest of their own people, then others like Uncle Sam will see the dire need to come to the aid of a people determined to change; the United States of America will not be afraid of being a guardian of anything hopeful. For as the Bible says: God helps those who help themselves. Maybe America gets her cue from the Great Book.