I Wear my Sunglasses at Night
Here’s the thing:
There is no lack of potential for Ethiopia to flourish, to rise up and to finally matter to the world. Ethiopia is surrounded by immeasurable talent and beauty, yet her leaders of late have treated her either like a one-night stand or an abused wife. What a predicament!
I have no doubt that the Ethiopian Renaissance has started and it will be full-fledged in gear soon. Despite what Ato Meles is trying to do to her, Ethiopia shall rise again because the moral stewards of the country have said, “enough.”
I talked to my “world events in seven words or less” uncle a few days ago. I asked him what his assessment was of the situation on ground zero. “sew ke tarik aymarim inday?” (“Doesn’t one learn from history?”) Not everybody does.
It takes a special fortressing of the mind to think that people who have seen freedom will fold back up and wither. Only China has been able to do that, and even China realized things would never be the same again after the Tienanmen Square drama. Fear is a commodity in Ethiopia that has been reduced to junk bond status. If instilling fear in people worked, Mengitu Haile Mariam would still be in power. How is it that the EPRDF does not see that?
Teddy Afro’s song “Yasteseriyal” has a great line… “qirb new ye Ethiopia tnassaye…” It is. The opposition should start getting ready to open a new chapter in Ethiopian history. It is important that the new leaders charter a moral course that is not vengeful. Opposition supporters should start seeing Ethiopia’s future without their “Meles is a fascist” lens, and we in the Diaspora should start owing up to what we owe Ethiopia, and to solemnly swear never to fall prey of apathy again. We are entitled nothing. And Ato Meles and Co. should start redying themselves psychologically to assume the title of “Last Tyrants of Ethiopia.” The manifestations of that, even if they don’t know it yet, are devastating.
Ethiopia’s future is so bright. That’s why we should all stay in this for the long run.
Here is one of my favorite songs, “Balageru 2.” (The sound is a little scratchy, but listen to the lyrics.)
That, my friends, is the future of an Ethiopia that will once again rise.
There is no lack of potential for Ethiopia to flourish, to rise up and to finally matter to the world. Ethiopia is surrounded by immeasurable talent and beauty, yet her leaders of late have treated her either like a one-night stand or an abused wife. What a predicament!
I have no doubt that the Ethiopian Renaissance has started and it will be full-fledged in gear soon. Despite what Ato Meles is trying to do to her, Ethiopia shall rise again because the moral stewards of the country have said, “enough.”
I talked to my “world events in seven words or less” uncle a few days ago. I asked him what his assessment was of the situation on ground zero. “sew ke tarik aymarim inday?” (“Doesn’t one learn from history?”) Not everybody does.
It takes a special fortressing of the mind to think that people who have seen freedom will fold back up and wither. Only China has been able to do that, and even China realized things would never be the same again after the Tienanmen Square drama. Fear is a commodity in Ethiopia that has been reduced to junk bond status. If instilling fear in people worked, Mengitu Haile Mariam would still be in power. How is it that the EPRDF does not see that?
Teddy Afro’s song “Yasteseriyal” has a great line… “qirb new ye Ethiopia tnassaye…” It is. The opposition should start getting ready to open a new chapter in Ethiopian history. It is important that the new leaders charter a moral course that is not vengeful. Opposition supporters should start seeing Ethiopia’s future without their “Meles is a fascist” lens, and we in the Diaspora should start owing up to what we owe Ethiopia, and to solemnly swear never to fall prey of apathy again. We are entitled nothing. And Ato Meles and Co. should start redying themselves psychologically to assume the title of “Last Tyrants of Ethiopia.” The manifestations of that, even if they don’t know it yet, are devastating.
Ethiopia’s future is so bright. That’s why we should all stay in this for the long run.
Here is one of my favorite songs, “Balageru 2.” (The sound is a little scratchy, but listen to the lyrics.)
That, my friends, is the future of an Ethiopia that will once again rise.
posted by ET Wonqette at Wednesday, November 16, 2005
15 Comments:
Yes. Amen. Thank you for that.
But once the rulers are out of power, how will we get through reconciliation? How will we convince those who saw their sibling/parent get gunned down in the streets that ‘yiqir membabal’ is our only way out?
I love that line from the same teddy afro song
“yiQir belew ina,
yaTefawin weQseh
mehret astemiren
and argen meliseh”
That is the one thing that has eluded us time and time again.
I can not even imagine Meles out of power and living peacefully in the country. Maybe that is why he is on a killing spree. He knows there is no turning back now. If he lets the country slip out from under his thumb, he will then have to answer for everything he has done thus far.
I’m torn. Accountability Vs Yiqir tebablio and mehon.
One thing is for sure, we need a lot more leaders, like Berhanu Nega for example, who seem to be sincere and have true democratic credentials as we slowly shed away the old guard from both sides of this debate.
Wonq ...
You're not even one year old ...vowalla ... you are making my day. "Entif Entif ... ke aYen YaWtah". Thank you for the bottom of my heart.
Oh thanks a lo! Everything had started to look gloomy till I read this article of urs. It is an uplifiting one. and I really needed it so bad!
keep up the wonderful job,
ur regular reader
ibrahim
I have to confess: I am an addict. I check daily for your insightful blogs. Thanks for your existence.
Best line of this week "Operation what the hell do we do"...I have borrowed it quite often :)
Thank you for reminding us there is light at the end of the tunnel.
XAXitu presents the respectable type & version of Woyane Propaganda, the "mature type", sneaking in the name of fairness, telling us "As we slowly shed away the old guard from both sides of the debate".
What a cruel irony! to put the butcher little Meles, and Bereket, in company with Mesfin, HAILU, Gizachew, Yacb.- people who have spent their entire life figthing for human rights , freedom, equality and democracy, (in the latest propaganda front of Woyane) are equated with the most ruththless dictators of recent times.
Woyane is squandering the meagere resources of our country employing expensive spin doctors, again a cruel irony.
Please mark my words now. I am certain that one day they will approach you, because your blog is gaining momentum. No doubt about that. They are desperate and on fast sinking ship. But please promise us Ethiopians never to bend to Woyane money-induced pressure, before you explain your reasons. Look what they did to Lidetu.
By the way, I have been following your blogs for quite some time. You have the real potential to make a great difference in this digital-age informatiuon warfare between the forces of evil and good in Ethiopia.
Woyane has the money and the institutions; but you have the truth,your intelligence and the love of the Ethiopian people- more powerful weapons in this war. I am sure you will ultimately beat them. You have a very unique ability to communicate.
Finally- you can help the battle for the truth if you can take your ideas on a more mainstream outlet like radio, newspaper, TV. Please team up with other Ethiopians. Please get organized, and your power can defeat thusands of AGAZI Divsions without firing a sngle shot.
I can assist in Finance and ideas on organizational matters. Please get started.
Teddy. Addis,
Errr.... Teddy? Hello? What else do you want? We go out and murder each other? Call me what you like, but I'd rather not sink to the EPRDF's level and engage in a tete-a-tete... That's exactly what Meles wants in my opinion- he knows he's loosing grip and as he's always loathed and detested Ethiopia he'd leave it behind as a blood-bath. Don't give him the satisfaction. He's like the bully who'll break the toys he's not allowed to play with.
Anyway, back to the main reason to comment. People are scared and on their toes in Addis. Yesterday a potentially explosive incidednt happened on the street: Some people were running up the road for a bus, a bunch of young lads was half-jokingly running down the road, in between we spotted two blue-clad soldiers swaggering down with a snarl and their guns around their necks- some people panicked and scatterd- what if someone had fallen, or stumbled against one of the soldiers? Any excuse for these idiots to shoot... I know it's scary, I panicked too, but what will I achieve by running like a head-less chicken? An untimely death, these people are like sharp dog that'll chase anything that runs.
Thank you Geja, It is my hope that we will make it work.
Teddy, I know it would be better to just let it go but I felt the need to respond.
Fact number one; and I want to say this in the least offensive way possible without including any mention of your mama in this because you called me 'respectable and mature' (as if!). I am not a government supporter. In the future try to discuss the idea and leave me out of it.
Again, I am sorry this seems to offend you but I find the presence of officials from mengistu regime within the opposition rather offensive. The same way I would find it extremely offensive if any officials of the current regime were part of the only viable opposition in the next phase of our history. There are plenty of other people vying to serve the country without having to dip into these old pools.
beka. yihew.
Just a little comment, First i would like to say that ur writing deserves applause big time(I wish I could...). Anyway,back to business, I have been reading ur blog for quite some time now and have come to appreciate ur comments,which are well organized, beautifully written,and can be, to a certain degree,verified by facts. But today's idea seems some kind of prophecy which u come to write 'se u are in a good or 'wishy' mood. I mean I would like to share ur optiism, but the thing is Ethiopia's prblem is not just a problem of politics(which many tend and like to believe). It rather is a blend of a host of other problems as well whose solution is rather complicated(atleast not obvious) enough(even with out the polical stupidity we are sank in to). SO my suggestion, please keep on writing ur ideas but try to base them on some fact on the ground(which u usually tend to do).If u don't, I will keep on reading ur blog but only for its literary values.
God(Alah,....) bless u
teddy--teddy--you have missed the point(like many others). we should not be after x or y persons as such( even though persons have their own role to play)--we should rather focus on the processes and institutions that would bring us to a better life now and in the future. your accusation lacks any reasoning.we are deeply angered and frustrated by the impriosnement of Berhanu, Yacob, Mesfin and co.--because of their bright ideas for bright future.but we should not work hard only to reestablish another tyranny in the name of these people. if woyane is talking about fairness as you mentioned, there is nothing wrong about it. otherwise you should state very clearly what you want... don't call me back woyane or whatever and tell the world that you are a real fara...
regards,
Just listening to Bahru's song...
Edme kandu sihed andu bet yizelKal,
Abro meblat enji Kebarin man yawKal.
Speaks volumes in view of the 'harmony' we'd like to create in our motherland. Why squabble (like Meles and his cronies wish to see us) while we Ethiopians can enjoy our country together? But it's up to us to calmly open eachother's eyes and educate one another.
Lidetu is doing his Woyane homework
He is gaining some disciples to disredit the leaders of the Etrhiopian popular resistance against Woyane tyranny.
A rational mind CAN NOT compare leaders who defined, defended and developed the resitance with dictators.
How can one talk of the "dictators" in the resistance??
Where did you find it?
AIGA, REPORTER, WALTA, IFTIN and LIDETU is the obvious answer.
Whatever Woyane, its diverse and monstrrous propaganda machinery and its industrial level strength in manufactiuring lies say Ethiopia will be liberated with or without the lies of Lidetu and Co.
What Ehiopians want to listen is What Hailu Shawel tells them. He is the symbol of endurnces, resistance and defience to the Woyane rats.This is the truth every Woyane wants to avoid and see covered. That is why they tiptoe through every route and "hole" they can get in.
Selam
Hi,
I have been reading your blog for a while and am loving it. I am soooo impressed by your love and vision for our country. I don't agree with you all the time (US style liberal bashing?), but your political insights are first class.
Keep blogging sis...and don't feel so down...
Dear ET:
Nothing like a little bit of consciousnesses raising, morally uplifting, motivational speak to keep our hopes alive. Thanks. You do such a great job. Everyone has a role to play in Ethiopia’s future and you seem to have found your niche. Ever considered a radio or TV talk show? Incidentally, I saw your blog hot linked to the Washington Monthly’s web page. Nice.
I was just thinking how much I agree with your “world events in seven words or less” Uncle’s comment. My thoughts on the current impasse are: if we want to bring about change, it has to start with one person. Each and every person that considers themselves Ethiopian, or has the best interest of Ethiopia at heart, needs to do his/her part. I for one have chosen to use dialogue and relationship building to foster better understanding with my fellow Ethiopians and Ethio-Americans.
As far as ethnic identity and tribal politics is concerned I have accepted that I can’t force people to be, or think like me. If someone is from a particular tribe or “gosa,” and it happens to be different to mine, so be it. It’s there enough land for all of us? I respect their background and heritage. I try to understand where they are coming from. At the same time, I expect them to respect my background and my heritage. That’s about it. I don’t expect to be reminded about what tribe they are from nor do I expect this aspect of the relationship to dominate my dealings with that person. I measure the success of the collaboration based on how mature that person is. If damage was done in the past to one race or tribe, then I say “stop dredging up old stories, fix it and get over it.”
No one “gosa” or person deserves to be treated better than the other person just because they are from this tribe or that tribe. However, sometimes life is not fair and things happen. Having said this I do believe that in today's political environment things have gone a little too far. Carving out Ethiopia into small morsels just to satisfy the goals and political objectives of one or two tribes seems excessive, to say the least.
Besides, even if it were argued to be a good thing for some, on the long term, the benefits are undeniably limited. The vast majority of Ethiopians don’t feel like this set up upheld their beliefs and respected their desire to be viewed as one nation. Disappointed and feeling let down, they expressed their anger and indignation. While this outward display of emotion may not be received well it might help to explain some of the source of the conflict.
Ok. I’ll get off my soap box now.
I say keep up the good work and continue to be a voice of moderation and national reconciliation. I also urge you to maintain your independence from any groups - be they government or the oppositions. You should continue to use the power of your words to bring attention to the atrocities being inflicted on Ethiopians by the government. I also urge you while fullheartedly backing the ideals of the democratic opposition, do not hestitate the utter absence of tolerance in many of the the diaspora activists. The political environment is not conducive for a free discussion of the future direction Ethiopian politics should take. The bloody government has lowered us all to its level.
Only when you fight excesses from all sides can you build moral standing and credibility to promote unity based on diversity of ideas.
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