The Wonqville Book Club

The dedication in Dr. Berhanu Nega’s book, “The Dawn of Freedom” reads as follows:

To my mother Weizero Abebech Wolde Giorgis:

Compounding your pain of not even being able to bury the child you lost in the aftermath of one political turmoil, now you find yourself passing meals to a son in prison. I am hopeful that the day signaling the end of your despair and the despair felt by countless others mothers is near.

To my father Ato Nega Bonga:

For showing me the value of work and love of country by example.

To my wife Dr. Nardos Minassie:

For teaching me the healing power of love.

To my children Noah and Eyassu:

I hope you will understand the struggle I delved into in the name of liberty is both for me and for you. I consider this to be part of the duty of a father. The biggest strain, however, is being apart from you.

To all of you who have died, suffered and been exiled in the name of democracy and liberty in Ethiopia:

Your suffering is the last pang of labor that will birth democracy. The pain will eventually ebb. The enduring spirit of CUD is testimony to that. We are indebted to you and what you have contributed.

To Siye Abraha and Asseffa Abraha:

You are living proof of a government that pays lip service to the rights and protection of ethnic groups while only visiting misery, lawlessness and incarceration on those who stand up for those same rights and liberties.

To Ato Birru Mammo Gilo:

Incarcerated at the age of 85 on suspicion that your son supports the OLF, you were rounded up along with your two sons without a warrant or due process. You still languish in Qaliti jail at the age of 93, having served eight years without having your day in court. No starker example can be found to illustrate the complete degradation of the Ethiopian justice system.

(Translation mine… as always comes to you with profound apologies for mangled metaphors.)

I have not found a place that is discussing “The Dawn of Freedom” so here goes a proposal:

Starting in two weeks, this blog will attempt a discussion of Berhanu’s book, chapter by chapter. I will start with the introduction but hope some of the regular contributors (um, Gooch and the rest of you who shall remain nameless only up until you don’t do what I say) will volunteer to take on a few chapters. Two weeks will give people who have not yet gotten the book yet to skedaddle to www.berhanunega.com and get a copy.

Then join in. It is perhaps the book that will define a generation… set a new standard for political discourse, and maybe, hopefully be what helps us heal.

Discussion (introduction) will start on October 16. Gooch, first chapter?