Being Positive For Once

Many detractors and frustrated individuals are bent on destroying what little is being accomplished in Liberia. From criminal to the worst of names, these detractors are vilifying the President, the first lady president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. I can't stomach the venom being spewed. When one of these detractors challenged me to be more expansive in my criticism of the men who have ruled our country, I made it brief:

I don't have to be analytical about this. But look. From Joseph Jenkins Roberts to Charles Taylor....all these men presidents, have one way or the other, ruined our country. From 1847 to 2006....159 years, Liberia saw nothing but a period of underdevelopment, mayhem and chaos! Whose name do you hear of more often stealing the people's money? I think it's mostly men, right? Besides Aisha Conneh, I did not hear the names of a lot of women war lords during our 15 years of conflicts. In this new dispensation I do not hear the names of women in the stealing business.

The crazy notion is that because one has the right to be critical, rude and inconsiderate of one's leader, those who believe in change for the better should just lay back and read incendiary, rhetorical nonsense. For it is extremely obvious, and we all know this, that if Liberia had a Gbanapekin or a Flomolon as its leader, the people of Liberia would not have been better off than they were 3 years ago. Chaos, tribalism and you know what would have been the order of the day.

The venom being spewed by most men against Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on these listservs represents the frustration that has saturated their inner self. When the opportunity presented itself for 159 years, the men squandered and misused such opportunity. If the Liberian women were given at least 50 years to run the country, I am sure as sure can be that Liberia will be the Liberia that our children can all be proud of.

The "criminality" of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is news to the Liberian people who voted for her. And who can be more justified for what occurred in November of 2005 than the people of Liberia?Stop insulting the intelligence of our people. And, stop it now!

There are so many fake names on these listservs that it is difficult to know whose rhetoric is being responded to. What I try to do, however, is to be consistent, no matter who tries to touch my hot button.

Finally, people should stop this " in-the-cause-of-the-people, the-struggle-continues thing." That is just rhetoric. President Doe said the same thing. We know what happened to the people. President Taylor was a mother of an advocate for the people. The outcome: 250,000 plus of the Liberian people died as a result of his fake exuberance.

We all can help build Liberia by giving good advice to the president. She will not be president forever. If road construction is your passion, talk to her about it. If schools and hospitals are your main concerns, write her and let her know. Be positive for once in your life. This is the most open government Liberia has ever had.

It's just difficult for me to be so negative knowing that just a few years ago, 250, 000 of our people died for me to have this opportunity to be positive.

Cooper Kweme
5/4/09