Standing your ground, Reclaiming existence There are so many socioeconomic and political malaises that not only prevent the existence but also hinder the emergence of independent/liberal individuals in Oromo/Ethiopian communities. A few of these malaises are the prevalence of exclusivist-masculinist-chauvinist nationalisms, ultra-conservatisms, fatal patriotism, anti-intellectualism, unenlightened-opportunistic-unprincipled elitism, parochial clanism/tribalism, and oppressive-communalism. Those that manage to exist against all these odds must continually face repression, depression, silence, isolation, and sometimes even physical violence. The attributes mentioned here are ubiquitously observable in various sociopolitical forums of all kinds including social media. Given the harmful consequences of these values, independent/liberal individuals cannot afford to be forced into silence, and therefore losing their ground. They must reclaim their voice, and begin to carve spaces where they can freely breathe, exist, express themselves, and create communities that promote the flourishing of independent individuals. As activist, filmmaker, and writer Toni Cade Bambara has warned the victims of these kinds of societal tyranny so long ago, independent/liberal individuals cannot afford to “leave the arena to the fools”* *Fools represent the tyrannies that want to have total control over discourses that matters to all of us. Melhik Abebe Dave Zel Tsegaye Ararssa Leggese Alemu Bissy L. Waariyo
Posted on: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 00:58:34 +0000
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