Ebola Notes, Part 5: The Speech Every True Liberian Leader Should Be Giving Right Now; Wednesday, August 29, 2014 My Liberian family, let me speak from my heart to yours as we all face the rage and rampage of Ebola. Let us take a close look at who we are as a people of destiny. You and I know that the name Liberia means Land of Liberty. We are the land of free people. Beginning in the early 1800s to our Declaration of Independence on July 26, 1847, the Republic of Liberia was intended and founded to be a home for a free indigenous population and a refuge for free men and women who had been formerly enslaved in America and other parts of the world during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Within the very core of our national foundation is the firm belief that freedom is our birthright and native language. The Liberian spirit yearns to be free -- free from fear, free from oppression, free from war, yes, free from disease. Our rich history contains abundant proof that every time we have confronted a threat to our survival as fledging nation, we have been more than able to rise to the occasion, more than able to come through with the flying colors of our national emblem, The Lone Star, that still waves majestically. From the inception of our nation, there was warfare between the settlers and our indigenous people. Those wars could have aborted the birth of a young and fragile nation, but those conflicts between African siblings proved to be nothing but birth pains. In time, the nation-child that became Africas First Independent Republic crawled out of the uterus of Mother Africa to breathe the sweet, refreshing air of freedom like no other African nation before her. A nation had been born to serve as the foretaste and downpayment for the African Independence Movement that later followed Liberias lead in the 1950s & 1960s. In a manner much greater than our size and strength and resources, we have been a beacon and a rallying point in the cause for free African nations. Liberia has shouldered more than our share of the burden to bring freedom to fellow Africans. Together with Ghana & Ethiopia, in 1963 we hosted the formative discussions that created the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which became the umbrella for the liberation of other African peoples and nations. The modern organization known as the African Union (AU) owes its roots to Liberia. Beyond African liberation, during World War 2, Liberia contributed to the cause of a free world, when our nation, quoting Wikipedia, granted Allied forces access to its territory early in the war. (Liberia) was used as a transit point for troops and resources bound for North Africa, particularly war supplies flown from Parnamirim (near Natal) in Brazil. Perhaps more importantly, (Liberia) served as one of the Allies only sources of rubber during the war. (Source: Wikipedia) As a freedom-loving people, Liberians can truly say, Without us, America and the Allied Powers may not have triumphed over Germany and the Axis Powers who would have held the whole world in bondage had they been victorious in WW2! Yes, we have helped to keep the virtue of democracy alive for freedom-loving people around the world. Our desire for freedom was tested again on the dawn of April 12, 1980, when Africas haven of rest woke up to a bloody military coupe. For a while the strong arm of military rule cast shadows of doubts over libertys canvas. But with the help of the Almighty, we survived and came through that valley as a people. Nine years later, we entered the darkest days our republic has ever known: the brutal, bloody Civil War that broke out on Christmas Eve, 1989, and lingered till 2003, 14 tedious years. With more than 250,000 of our fellow citizens killed, with 1.2 million of us being displaced throughout the homeland, and with 700,000 of us becoming refugees in exile, we somehow made it through that fiery furnace, and we lived to say, Weve come a long way, a mighty long way! We bore our burdens in the heat of the day, but we knew the Lord would make a way. Weve come a long, a mighty long way! No matter the ugly surprises the West African jungle has thrown at us, Liberians have always managed to endure to the end of every trial and return to our default status, the core of our national life: LIBERTY, FREEDOM. Thats why I can confidently say, despite the current dark cloud that hovers over our shores, plains, mountains and rain forest -- we will be free once again in spite of the existential threat that is the Ebola crisis. In time, the land of liberty will be free of this viral disease and all its collateral damage. My Liberian family, hear me loud and clear: Ebola is but a temporary bondage, and from this prison cell, we Liberians, as an unchained people, will bounce back and dance to freedoms drum beat louder and more ecstatic than ever before. Perhaps the spirit of Ebola is determined to unravel our culture as a communal people who delight in mingling and mixing with one another. For now, Ebola has taken the freedom of association from us, but this is only recess time, not a final shutdown of the school of freedom. After the plague of Ebola has passed, the bell of liberty will resound and the sons and daughters of freedom shall reassemble to sing sweet songs of redemption. Yes, we shall be free again to associate when we want, where we want, with whom we want. We will be free to do the Liberian handshake, our signature gesture. We will be free not only to find food for our families but to eat our meals with optimum appetite and utmost enjoyment. The cost of living come back down where it belongs, and we shall rise and climb up to where we belong. Then we will freely mourn our dead and bury them with dignity after paying our customary final respects and salvaging their precious memories. My Liberian family, share my hope of a brighter tomorrow for Mama Liberia. Take courage. Let us encourage one another. Let us comfort one another. Let us mourn with those who mourn and weep with those who weep. Let us be merciful, compassionate, gracious, gentle and kind with one another. We may not be able to embrace, hug and shake hands now. But while we wait for that day when will be able to mix and mingle as is our culture and custom, let us take the time to smile at someone. Let us make someone laugh. Let us make someones load lighter. Let us wave good will towards one another. May our love for each other, may our love for this blessed country give us the patient faith to be strong and to stand together as we persevere through this time of trial that is only temporary. May we find moral strength from within and spiritual strength beyond. Let us tell ourselves, This too shall pass! Even as the wars between the settlers and the indigenous people did not last, this too shall pass! Even as the carnage of 14 years of Civil War is now a chapter in the archive of our nations unfolding story, there is coming a time, and we pray very soon, that the existential threat of Ebola and the devastation this disease has dealt us, will become part of Liberian history. We remain the Republic of Liberia. We will continue to march onward and forward as the land of glorious liberty by Gods command. We dare to keep on walking in freedom, keeping in step with Libertys rhythm. Let us take heart, my people; victory is on the way. This is our undying expectation, and Ebola cannot blackout freedoms vision nor drown out freedoms cry. I must admit, Ebola is a strong enemy. But Liberia is stronger. Nature itself has taught us that life is stronger than death. Our history has taught us that peace is stronger than war. Human experience has taught us that health is stronger than sickness and disease. And the story of human civilization has taught us that freedom is stronger than bondage. There is hope. There is life for Liberians, even meaningful, fruitful, productive, prosperous, joyful, peaceful life. Yes, there is life for Liberia after Ebola. Look with me now through the eyes of our hearts and minds. Let us imagine, let us envision a Liberia rising out of the ashes of Ebola, defying the odds, flying high as a mighty eagle, soaring into a future pregnant with promises of liberty. Through the eyes of our collective faith in the power of life over death, we declare with every fiber of our national being, We shall live and not die! We shall live to move freely again. God save our beloved homeland! God save Liberia! I love you, my Liberian family!
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 00:27:27 +0000
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