Surviving Under The Same Roof

It has become clear that testimonies given at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission cannot just be about the tragedy of Liberia from 1979 to 2003. Something went terribly wrong 130 plus years before. Some of what happened before 1979 were mentioned by Elwood Dunn. He talked about the potted plant in American soil that was supposed to be transplanted into an African soil by those who left the United States as free slaves in search of freedom in Africa.
That plant was never transplanted, for those who brought the plant felt that they were more classy and more civilized than the "heathens" they met in Africa. Until we can resolve that particular issue of class in Liberia, a feeling of pessimism regarding genuine reconciliation is beginning to take over my impartial mind. I am expressing my feelings below regarding the potted plant:

I read Elwood Dunn's testimony to the TRC and realized that he went deep--far back into Liberia's history. Even though he touched base with happenings in 1979 that brought about the rice riot and its aftermath, he could not have gone forward without mentioning the process that had been put into place long before 1979.

The settlers had been given an American potted plant to be transplanted into the African soil. Settlers were expected to come to Africa and join those they met to form a union beneficial to both groups. Because those from America felt that they were more civilized and more advanced, they refused to effectively be a part of a greater Liberia. They left the potted plant as is...in the American soil.This ingrained self-promotion and self-worth on the part of those who came to Liberia from the United States, tremendously affected the psyche of the majority of the people of Liberia.

After the incident of 1980 and after 14 years of civil war, we still see an air of dominance being perpetrated by those whose forefathers felt that the potted plant of old should remain just as it was intended to be. We see those who were blessed to have been spared the wrath of 1980 sneaking back into the country and doing a series of back door deals and carrying out multiple corrupt activities. These acts do not fare well for the new Liberia that all of us are struggling to establish. There are many of the old order who seem to believe that Liberia should continue to be dominated by those whose forefathers arrived in Africa many years ago. "Do not forget the pioneer's children" seems to reflect a phrase of reality, not mere gossip.

I feel sorry that our country has such a very long way to go when it comes to uniting the people. Besides the reconciliation needed between tribal groups, there is this Herculean task faced by the minority to accept as equals the majority of the people of Liberia. Our brothers and sisters who consider themselves more classy and more civilized and more educated will definitely have to shift the long-held mind set. The mind set of C L Simpson, Sr, former Vice President of Liberia...that mind set that caused him to believe that people with roots in America and other slave-held areas should remain a distinct and separate class from the majority "country" people, can no longer hold water. If such a belief was cast in stone, the 14 years of war shattered everything.

To rewrite the Liberian history so that it reflects everything that must be known, major players in the governance of the country need to go and testify to the TRC. Clarence Simpson, JR, whose father was Vice President and who was adamant about keeping the potted plant in American soil, needs to tell the Liberian people why his father and many others felt they way they felt. Why was it that even after more than 100 years in Liberia, the majority of the people were still considered heathens? Estrada Bernard and Willie Knuckles and Harry Greaves and George Tubman and the Tolberts, all of these people and many others who have embedded themselves in the government and are causing havoc, cannot just sit in Monrovia and act as if they have clean hands and know nothing; these Liberians need to be fair to the God they serve, to the country, to the people of Liberia, and to themselves and help rewrite history for their children and the next generation. They must come out and tell the world and give the Liberian people one reason why they think that they are better than the rest of the people they share the country with, even after more than 161 years of cohabitation.

The people who were considered less intelligent and third class citizens were made to fight amongst themselves in order to make way for the elites to return and exploit the country, just like the good ole days. How many of the 200,000 or more Liberians that died in the civil war were sons and daughters of the settlers? What does the country get back after such an ultimate sacrifice? Is this how we are going to reconcile amongst ourselves to build the country? Is reconciliation only intended for the people of Grand Gedeh and Nimba Counties? Is reconciliation only intended for Alhaji Kromah and the people of Lofa County? Is this reconciliation-thing only intended for the indigenous people?

If we must come together as a people with the same aspiration for a better future for all of us, we the Country people and the Congo people and the Americo-Liberians, all of us must shift our mind set and embrace a common destiny devoid of tendencies bent on keeping us apart and stifling progress in the 21st century. We all must develop the necessary love for country and respect for each other. The truth being told, there is no other way out, if we must survive as one people under the same roof

Nimba And Grand Gedeh Counties Must Lead The Country To Genuine Reconciliation

After Prince Johnson gave his testimonies at the TRC, the brother of President Doe, Jackson Doe and some of the deceased president's family were furious. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was quick to bring the two people together to tune down the rhetoric and consider peace and reconciliation. It was a good move by the president. I had to give my support:

Frontpageafrica cannot be commended enough for the good job the online news outlet is doing for Liberia. Since Medina Wesseh came out supporting the president and since Frontpageafrica released her email soliciting help from uncle Willis regarding the importation of cement, I can imagine how many people in the government are now concerned about what they have done and what they have written since the Old Ma appointed them to help her run this government. "I wonder that man got any emails from me," many are wondering to themselves.

The husband of Medina is being sent to the UN to represent his country. Commany Wisseh's wife is sitting right near the president and trying to do the same corrupt stuff her husband fought against. This reminds me of something that another warrior of the "rampant-corruption" era told me when I asked him why the people were still complaining of hardship and about the shortage of certain basic commodities on the Liberian market? "What people are you talking about?" The answer to my question came back to me in the form of a question. I felt terrible, for this guy along with Baccus Matthews and many others, had made us to believe that they knew better and that they would make life better for all Liberians. In the cause of the people the struggle continues, was the battle cry then and is still today. Now we know that "in the cause of the people" is just a devious slogan and a mere rhetoric.

I am happy to hear that the President is trying to bring Jackson Doe, the brother of President Doe, and Prince Johnson to the table of peace. The genuine friendship that existed between Samuel Doe and Thomas Quiwonkpa turned sour when the greed for power took center stage. From rumors and recent testimonies, Thomas Quiwonkpa insisted that his buddy Samuel Doe head the People's Redemption Council on the night of April 12, 1980. The agreement to turn over power to a civilian government after a short period of military rule became a contentious issue. Things began to fall apart from there: Demotions and major transfers began to happen; discontent and the struggle for power muzzled normal behavior. The end result is something the country and people have suffered for greatly.

In August of last year I wrote to say that the people of Grand Gedeh County and the people of Nimba County will have to take the lead in the reconciliation process. The people of these two counties were very good friends before 1980. Tribalism put a wedge between these two groups. Threats to wipe out the other became an ominous battle cry. No one who was in Liberia in the 80s can forget this, no matter how hard one tries to play this down.

The death of Thomas Quiwonkpa devastated the people of Nimba County. Like Elvis, Nimbaians and many others thought Quiwonkpa had escaped, even though his riddled body was boastfully shown on ELTV in Monrovia. As Grand Gedeans celebrated, the people of Nimba County feared for their lives. Where could they go? It was a nightmare. Both counties have suffered much pain; Nimba County has suffered the most because of the misdeeds of those who were supposed to protect the people and country.

If Liberia and her people are to benefit from genuine peace, the people of Grand Gedeh and Nimba Counties, under the guidance of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the government of Liberia, must meet in that border town that separates the two counties and come to terms with the reality of today. Nimba County is not a winner neither is Grand Gedeh. As both counties take the lead for the future of their country and people, other counties will follow.

As for the 133 years of bribery and kickbacks and overwhelming inequality that continue to haunt and rob the majority of Liberians of any kind of improvement in their daily lives; as for those who continue to undermine development and demonstrate zero tolerance for patriotism, I can only say, sadly and with hanging head... the struggle continues!