My wife and I went to the groceries store. As she browsed through the many books that lined the shelves, she realized that the front side of some of the books had been turned to the wall of the shelves. Being curious she turned the books around. The books that were turned around belonged to Barack Obama's...Dreams from My Father. That was a few weeks before November 4, 2008, the day Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States.
The election of the first Black Man to the presidency of the United States of America had me whistle-blowing the entire night of November 4, 2008. I couldn't keep the excitement inside of me. I immediately got on the computer to palm kernel-crack the following piece:
In 2005 I was constantly driving between Silver Spring, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Reston, Virginia, following Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf everywhere she went to give support for her run for the presidency of Liberia. Three years later and two weeks before the election of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States and the first black man to hold that position, I went through my own special ritual and meditation, hoping with all my heart that Barack Obama would be the next President of the United States of America.
For one and a half month I decided to let my hair grow. Two weeks before November 4, 2008, the day of the elections in America, I decided to stop eating rice, stop drinking coffee, and desist from drinking soda or soft drink. These personal actions of mine may not be a big deal, but that was my way of sprinkling water from my mouth unto the feet of Barack Obama for good luck, just like my father did to me when I graduated from high school and told him that I was leaving his house to start my own journey into the world.
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was elected president of Liberia and my special and personal activities for Barack Obama became meaningful, for he too was elected President of America. The feeling I am feeling is a feeling that is so difficult to explain. It is the same feeling, I think, the people of Israel felt when they heard that one of the sons of Jacob had become a ruler in Egypt. The feeling in my heart is similar to the feeling the people of Israel felt when they were told that one of their own was a prince in the house of Pharaoh and that he had come down to where the Israeli slaves were and had helped to protect one of them.
The feeling I felt on November 4, 2008 and the feeling I continue to experience is similar to what was felt when David killed Goliath or when the city of Jericho fell to the frightened Israelis after crossing the Jordan River on the journey to the promised land. Yes, my people, I feel the same way people felt when it was told that the Redeemer had risen from the dead and that mankind was forever saved.
I don't know why any black man who could vote in America not vote for the first black person who had the best chance to make history. There was a time when I personally became the most prejudiced black man in America. Anything that was said of Barack Obama that had the slightest hint of negativity was considered by me an evil and an unforgivable act. I wonder to myself why would any black man not remember the Emancipation Proclamation, the Selma, Alabama beating of black people; I wonder why any black man would forget the lynching and the injustice meted out to black people for hundreds of years and the notion that blacks were only good as slaves. I wonder why anyone, in his black mind, whether a Republican or a rebel in Africa, would think that America was not ready for a Black President.
For Black people all over the world, the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America gives us a special place on the ladder of human events. Millions of black children, especially those in America can now say that they too can become President of this great land.
As I celebrated with my black American workmates and told them how happy I was, they said to me: If you are so happy just imagine how we feel. "We African-Americans have not had a Black President before, but you have had many black Presidents." I dropped my head and replied, yes, right. The people of Africa have had and continue to have Black Presidents, many of whom are tyrants, lack vision and very corrupt.
President Obama will be too occupied with the problems of America. Other problems around the world may not be given the extra attention required of him. But I feel that a few demands from the President of the United States to the leaders of Africa will definitely be in place: The leaders of the Congo, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Gambia, Somalia, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, Uganda, and all those countries whose leaders continue to suppress their people, these leaders need to be invited to the United Nations, shown videos of the horrible conditions of their people, and be told to put in place a time line for democratic change. People in these countries are the ones mentioned in Obama's acceptance speech as being "huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world."
Although Liberia was not mentioned above, I definitely know that people in many parts of that country live in abject poverty. They too are huddling around radios in forgotten corners of their own country, and this has been going on for the past 161 years. Their lives have not changed since 1847. Their hopes and dreams continue to be that one day their Obama will come to give them hope, inspiration and to know that their children too can aspire to being the best that they can be.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
President Ellen Johnson_Sirleaf is 70!
The discontent brewing in Liberia is reaching high pitch. President Sirleaf is determined to bring relief and much needed development to that country, but in her midst are people who honestly see things differently. Even though I am discouraged with the pace of good things happening for the masses of the people, I had to wish the President God's speed as she celebrated her 70th birthday.
The President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, just celebrated her 70th birthday. Congratulations, President Sirleaf. You made it. Psalm 90:10: The days of our years are three scores years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four scores years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away. I wonder whether after 27 years of rule and at age 70, I wonder whether the thought ever occurred to President Tubman that the country needed new leadership and that it was time for him to leave that Executive Mansion in one piece.
After 1000 days as President of Liberia, your assessment is that a lot of the deliverables did not come through as expected. The first 500 days were tough. You had to bring into government people you thought you could trust to help you take this thing off the ground. Many of those you brought in are close to you. You expected them to give you advice when necessary; but most of all, you wanted these close friends to see in their minds' eyes a new Liberia, a developed Liberia, an educated Liberia. To your utter amazement, most of your close friends do not see what you see. Your vision for Liberia and its people is far different from their vision and mindset.
Dr Dunn talked about the plant in the pot that was brought from America many, many years ago. That plant, according to the story, never left the pot.The soil and the new environment, the story goes, wasn't rich enough, from the perspective of those who brought the plant. So, the pot was made larger with more American soil so that the tree grew and produced siblings from the roots and seeds that fell into the pot. Those siblings, never transplanted, continue to have enormous influence on the government, most times choking to death the efforts of visionaries and those who care for the welfare of the people and the country.
As I read Psalm 90:10 I felt happy for you, knowing that you had reached a milestone in your journey. Yet, I began to wonder what could you be thinking or planning for the country as you take the next step into the next decade of your journey. I wonder what are the president's plans with regard to changing the mindset of those who continue to stifle progress, encourage corruption, and who prefer to continue living as potted plants in this vast area of land given to us my our forefathers.
Like you said, Three years (1000 days) is a long time for an on-the-job training. Three years is just too long a time for people to steal from government. Anyone who has not been able to deliver after three years should not be given another chance. No company, no matter how battered, will allow its managers to under perform for three year and still have these managers roaming around the plant, bluffing and carrying on. Because of the war the three-month probationary period was extended to 18 months! Wasn't that enough time to for these educated people to demonstrate some type of ability to manage a specific project? The Liberian people have not heard any complaints from these managers or ministers. However, John Morlu did not take long to give his verdict about the unabated corruption in the government. The reception to that verdict was negative throughout the land. Some people even promised to get rid of the poor boy.
The next three years should see bold new steps by you, Madam President, to transform the lives of the people of Liberia. The next three years should see the infusion of a new generation of Liberians participating in the governance of their country. It is indeed time for the old guards to make way for a more energetic and patriotic group of Liberians, ready to move their country forward into the 21st century. Liberians are tired of living in squalor and degradation.
After 161 years, Liberians from all 15 counties want to see and live the difference under an Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf government. They, for the first time in their lives, want to be proud of their country and be able to boast to their neighbors about it. That will be the best legacy that you, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, can leave for your people as you celebrate your 73rd birthday in 2011.
Again, Happy Birthday, Madam President.
The President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, just celebrated her 70th birthday. Congratulations, President Sirleaf. You made it. Psalm 90:10: The days of our years are three scores years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four scores years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away. I wonder whether after 27 years of rule and at age 70, I wonder whether the thought ever occurred to President Tubman that the country needed new leadership and that it was time for him to leave that Executive Mansion in one piece.
After 1000 days as President of Liberia, your assessment is that a lot of the deliverables did not come through as expected. The first 500 days were tough. You had to bring into government people you thought you could trust to help you take this thing off the ground. Many of those you brought in are close to you. You expected them to give you advice when necessary; but most of all, you wanted these close friends to see in their minds' eyes a new Liberia, a developed Liberia, an educated Liberia. To your utter amazement, most of your close friends do not see what you see. Your vision for Liberia and its people is far different from their vision and mindset.
Dr Dunn talked about the plant in the pot that was brought from America many, many years ago. That plant, according to the story, never left the pot.The soil and the new environment, the story goes, wasn't rich enough, from the perspective of those who brought the plant. So, the pot was made larger with more American soil so that the tree grew and produced siblings from the roots and seeds that fell into the pot. Those siblings, never transplanted, continue to have enormous influence on the government, most times choking to death the efforts of visionaries and those who care for the welfare of the people and the country.
As I read Psalm 90:10 I felt happy for you, knowing that you had reached a milestone in your journey. Yet, I began to wonder what could you be thinking or planning for the country as you take the next step into the next decade of your journey. I wonder what are the president's plans with regard to changing the mindset of those who continue to stifle progress, encourage corruption, and who prefer to continue living as potted plants in this vast area of land given to us my our forefathers.
Like you said, Three years (1000 days) is a long time for an on-the-job training. Three years is just too long a time for people to steal from government. Anyone who has not been able to deliver after three years should not be given another chance. No company, no matter how battered, will allow its managers to under perform for three year and still have these managers roaming around the plant, bluffing and carrying on. Because of the war the three-month probationary period was extended to 18 months! Wasn't that enough time to for these educated people to demonstrate some type of ability to manage a specific project? The Liberian people have not heard any complaints from these managers or ministers. However, John Morlu did not take long to give his verdict about the unabated corruption in the government. The reception to that verdict was negative throughout the land. Some people even promised to get rid of the poor boy.
The next three years should see bold new steps by you, Madam President, to transform the lives of the people of Liberia. The next three years should see the infusion of a new generation of Liberians participating in the governance of their country. It is indeed time for the old guards to make way for a more energetic and patriotic group of Liberians, ready to move their country forward into the 21st century. Liberians are tired of living in squalor and degradation.
After 161 years, Liberians from all 15 counties want to see and live the difference under an Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf government. They, for the first time in their lives, want to be proud of their country and be able to boast to their neighbors about it. That will be the best legacy that you, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, can leave for your people as you celebrate your 73rd birthday in 2011.
Again, Happy Birthday, Madam President.
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