Brotherhood and Sisterhood

In life, we encounter certain people, who become our closest and trusted friends that we come to value as “brothers and sisters.” These are mutual friendships that were built on respect and confidence over time. These are relationships that we may have selflessly risked and sacrificed to help and protect a friend in need. These are people that we were united in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood.

However, there are occasions when our love for a particular “brother” or “sister” blinds us to their incessant lies and tricks. As they weaved their web of deception they skillfully covered up or diverted the blame to someone or something else. As our eyes finally opened, we realized that this friend could smile at our face while at the same time stab a dirk in our back. This realization causes us to reexamine the saying “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”, because sometimes these friends and enemies are one in the same.

So then, why would a “brother” or “sister” want to harm those who loved, helped, and protected them? The answer can be summarized by four words “greed”, “jealousy”, “insecurity,” and “inferiority.” For whatever reason, they wanted something from their “brother” or “sister” whether it was tangible or intangible. These so-called brothers and sisters sometimes sought to destroy their friend, whether duping them in a business transaction or viciously attacking their loved ones. These types of deception—usually carried out willfully to harm or damage the person, they claimed to love—is the ultimate betrayal and is something not easily forgotten.

When someone has experienced such betrayal by a loved and trusted friend; they are left confused, depressed and frustrated. Their minds are filled with so many thoughts that they start to wonder whether this “brother” or “sister” was ever a genuine friend or whether their conscience is telling them that they did wrong. We may never know the motive behind this deceptive person’s behavior or actions, but it is unlikely that they are ever free of their own conscience. In fact, they have also inflicted pain onto themselves as so poetically quoted by Erica Jong “betrayal does that--betrays the betrayer.”

It seems that the most intelligent being on this earth is destined to cause so much destruction and suffering on the lives and livelihoods of our beloved global brothers and sisters. Whether we inflict this suffering by telling lies or creating wars, we cannot ignore the fact that as humans, we need each other to survive in the now and exist in the future. For whatever reason, we are still unable to change our destructive destiny because we ignore the lessons learned from our own history as individuals, as nations and as the world.

So in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood I conclude this post with the lyrics from a song called “Brothers in Arms” that was released in 1985 by the British rock group Dire Straits. The lyrics focus on the guerrilla wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua during the 1980’s [1]; however, the message in this song can apply to anyone, in any situation, and in any nation. In the end, we must learn from the message in this song that “we’re fools to make war (or trouble) on our brothers (and sisters) in arms.”

These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you’ll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you’ll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms

Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

There’s so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones

Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it’s written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We’re fools to make war
On our brothers in arms

“Brothers In Arms” (album). Wikipedia, The Free Online Dictionary. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brothers_in_Arms_(album)

Pay Attention to the Signs!!!

For the last week, I have been involved in something that no one should have to deal with. On Tuesday, July 14, 2009, a special 16-year-old girl in my life was violently raped by someone she trusted and considered like a father. This heartbreaking vicious crime has reminded me of something I have learned in studying law that needs to be examined. Too often we focus on protecting our children from that random stranger, but the reality is that most violent crimes, particularly rape of females, are committed by someone the victim has known and trusted. I am unaware of the statistics here in Liberia, but in the U.S. the data is alarming. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics “about seven in ten female rape or sexual assault victims stated the offender was an intimate, other relative, a friend or an acquaintance.” [1] These statistics support why the police target their investigations on the people that are close to or known by the victim.

As parents, guardians, relatives, friends or neighbors we need to be very mindful of the children in our lives and take any complaints seriously. We need to pay attention to the signs such as changes in behavior of the child or the would-be perpetrator. I want to reinforce this again "we need to pay attention to the signs" no matter how subtle they are. We sometimes overlook certain anomalies when it involves people close to us." Sometimes we ignore certain signs that are staring us right in the face.

I stress this point, because I am reminded of a scene in the movie “Bruce Almighty”. [2] Bruce, who was played by the actor Jim Carrey, was driving down the road begging God to give him a sign because he had reached rock bottom. As he continued to drive down the road pleading to God for a sign, all of sudden a truck pulled in front of him filled with road signs saying “stop” and similar messages. Each time Bruce asked God for a sign, the truck would slow down putting the signs right in front of his face. Bruce took those signs as a nuisance and failed to read them until it was too late. As the truck pulled away to the left allowing Bruce to see what was in front of him, he was startled to find that his road was about to end. He suddenly swerved off the road losing control of his vehicle to where he crashed into a pole.

I believe at one time or another, we all have had a truckload of signs in front us alerting us to some type of trouble ahead. However, like Bruce we didn’t pay attention to them until it was too late causing us to crash. I hope that this post will make all of us more mindful of our “truckload of signs” so that we can prevent anymore children from being harmed by someone they trusted.

For this special girl, we are pushing forward with prosecuting the perpetrator and ensuring that she receives all the necessary care. Some might be thinking is their justice for this girl in a country that is still recovering from war like Liberia. From what I have observed, rape cases are taken seriously here and there are many civil society groups that advocate for the protection of children and ensure that justice prevails. There have been many concerned friends and family that have come together to ensure that this innocent child receive the protection and justice that she deserves.

[1] “Victim/offender relationship: Males" were more likely to be violently victimized by a stranger than a nonstranger, and females were more likely to be victimized by a friend, an acquaintance, or an intimate.” 2005 Statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Justice Programs – Bureau of Justice Statistics. http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict_c.htm">http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict_c.htm

[2] “Bruce Almighty” an award winning comedy film that was released in 2003 starring Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Aniston. "http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Almighty-Widescreen-Jim-Carrey/dp/B0000AKCKI">http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Almighty-Widescreen-Jim-Carrey/dp/B0000AKCKI

Is Liberia Ready to Forgive Now that the Final TRC Report is Out?

On June 28, 2009, Liberia reached a pivotal point in their post-war recovery when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) submitted their final report to the public [1]. After the long and arduous task for taking victim statements and facilitating public hearings of known perpetrators, the TRC compiled their recommendations.

Surprisingly, this report created much controversy soon after it was publicized. The main concerns were about the TRC’s methodology with their procedures and determinations. Regardless of this public outcry, the commission has cited those who should be held responsible for the atrocities that occurred during the period from January 1979 to October 14, 2003 (TRC Volume II, 2) [2]. It listed 98 Liberians, who are to be prosecuted, including Former President Charles Taylor, for crimes of war and against humanity (TRC Volume II, 332~334); another 50 Liberian elected officials, including President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, are to be sanctioned from serving in any government post for 30 years (TRC Volume II, 271~272); additional 21 individuals and 19 companies including Firestone Corporation are subject to further investigation for committing economic crimes (TRC Volume II, 362~365); and another 54 individuals including the late President Samuel Doe are also recommended for investigation for alleged economic crimes (TRC Volume II, 366~368).

This report comes six years after the 14-year civil war officially ended [3] and at a time when Liberia is attempting to rebuild their devastated nation. So, what is the next step for this nation still healing? Are Liberians ready to forgive those who harmed or killed their loved ones? And if it is forgiveness, then how do the Liberian people put this tragic past behind them? These are important questions, because many Liberian people still harbor the hurt and anger from the unconscionable violence that was committed by the perpetrators of the war.

Today, the Liberian people are trying to heal the wounds of the past while rebuilding hope for the future. This once prosperous nation is now home to nearly 3.5 million people with 68% of them languishing in extreme poverty [4]. Those who were unable to escape the war witnessed friends killing friends, brothers killing brothers, and sisters killing sisters. They not only endured massive loss of life, but also the destruction of the entire infrastructure. As many people try to sift through the rubble in hopes of rebuilding their lives, they look around knowing the Liberia they once loved is forever changed.

Who will guide such despairing people out of their dark mental prisons of hurt and anger, and into the light of inner peace? Well, on June 5, 2009, the TRC/Liberia, TruthReconciled/USA, and Archdiocese of Monrovia/Liberia attempted to light such a pathway with the help of one very special woman. They invited Immaculee Ilibagiza to share her amazing story as a Rwandan Genocide Survivor and the spiritual journey she embarked upon in discovering peace and forgiveness for those who caused her deep sorrow. As a person who experienced the brutality of war, she was an ideal role model of forgiveness as she shared her story to the Liberian people. Regrettably, less than one-fourth of the Centennial Pavilion’s Great Hall in Monrovia was filled that day. Nevertheless, those of us in the mostly-female audience were completely captivated by the story presented by this tall, slender, beautiful woman in a royal blue African gown.

In fact, she is enlightening millions of people around the world with her story of surviving a particularly brutal episode in Rwandan history. One tribe [Tutsi] was the victim of ethnic cleansing by another tribe [Hutu], while the international community did nothing to intervene [5]. Her story touches the hearts of audiences everywhere by showing them how to break free of their pain and anger through the releasing power of forgiveness. Through this unfathomable ordeal, she reaffirmed her faith in God and freed herself of the deep-held anger and sorrow towards the perpetrators by forgiving them. It makes a listener re-examine one’s own hurt and resentment, after hearing her incredible story.

Immaculee’s Story

Here is a summary of Immaculee’s story as she shared it at the Centennial Pavilion in Liberia. It starts when she came home from college for Easter Break in 1994 to be with her family. She recounted how her family had an amazing time together over the holiday weekend not knowing that this would be their last. It was only three days after the Easter holiday that the tragic events started to occur and her life would forever change.

On April 6, 1994, a plane carrying Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana and Burundian president Cyprian Ntyamira--both Hutus--was shot down near Kilagi, Rwanda's capital. No one survived the crash. The two presidents had just signed a peace agreement to end the ethnic violence in both Rwanda and Burundi,and to also grant equal rights to the Tutsis [6]. Immediately, after the news got out that the President was dead, the radio stations commenced with a massive wave of propaganda inciting Hutus to kill Tutsis and this continued to be aired throughout this murderous aggression. As mothers, fathers and children were being slaughtered by blood thirsty rebels; the genocidal propaganda was intensified to dehumanize the Tutsis even more by referring to them as cockroaches that needed to be exterminated.

Shortly after this homicidal catastrophe started, Immaculee’s father quickly arranged for his daughter’s safety by hiding her at the home of a family friend [and pastor] who happened to be a Hutu. Her hiding place for the next three months was a tiny (3’ x 4’) bathroom attached to a bedroom that she shared with six other women and one girl. In a matter of days of being confined to this cramped space, the rebel leaders announced on the radio that their forces should start searching every Hutu home in case any sympathizers were hiding Tutsis, because many had inter-tribal marriages and friendships.

This massive search and kill mission was something that Immaculee and other Tutsis in hiding had to experience regularly. About three hundred rebels surrounded the house started to yell Immaculee and the names of the other women hiding with her. She recognized some of the voices of the individuals calling her name as people who were once friendly with her, but now they seek to destroy her. The rebels entered the house and immediately searched every room from top to bottom. They checked the attic, then under each bed and even in suitcases for babies or small children. When the rebels entered the bedroom, the women could hear their movements through the thin walls of the bathroom. They immediately stood motionless as they held their breaths in sheer terror that any sound would get them captured and killed.

Miraculously, the rebels never opened the bathroom door each time they searched the house. Immaculee believes it was a force of God, because she prayed earnestly that they would not find the doorknob. In fact, she remembers hearing one time the rebels saying “there is no need to check this bathroom because we searched the entire house and found nothing, so why would this man hide anyone in such a small place.”

Each time the rebels came to search, Immaculee was instantly burdened by two opposing inner voices. One voice said something like “give up and open the door, because you are going to die anyway.” The second voice said something like “have faith, trust in God for you are going to live.” There were times she was ready to give up, because she felt there was no hope as countless people were being viciously killed each day. As she continued to debate on which voice to listen to, she found comfort in reading the Bible that she asked the pastor for. She also recited the many prayers that she had learned from her Catholic upbringing. In time, she finally chose the second voice, because she found it to be much gentler and kinder than the first one.

As each day, and week and month passed by, Immaculee and the other women barely received anything to eat except some occasional leftovers from the pastor’s children. They never dared to leave the bathroom in fear of being captured since Hutu rebel forces were still canvassing the area. Their cramp hiding space also caused them to be sleep deprived. One would think madness would set in after being forced to remain in solidarity confinement for three months with little food and virtually no sleep, but for Immaculee she used this time for spiritual growth by reaffirming her faith in God.

During this spiritual journey, she wanted to let go of the anger quelling up inside of her. This was a challenge since she knew full well that loved ones were being killed by the brutal atrocities being committed throughout her country. To help her deal with this justifiable anger, she continued reading the Bible and praying to God for guidance. As she struggled to release her anger by trying to find the key in the scriptures, she suddenly had a revelation when she remembered what Jesus said before he died on the cross “Father, please forgive them for they know not what they do.” As she repeated these words in her mind, she soon realized that the Hutu rebels also “know not what they do.” These were educated and uneducated people who were repeatedly told to hate the Tutsis, fear the Tutsis, and kill the Tutsis. These were people that were once friends, classmates and neighbors of the people they were viciously slaughtering. Upon making this connection, she felt at peace and was ready let go the anger and seek forgiveness.

When this genocidal war finally ended, she emerged from the bathroom grossly underweight wearing only the clothes on her back. She was given the heart wrenching news that confirmed her parents, grandparents, two brothers and many others that she had loved and known were all killed. Reeling from the tragic loss of so many loved ones and to endure three months of a living hell, she emerged to face a new life with many uncertainties. Since she had no family or support or place to go, Immaculee now needed to find a job and place to live.

As she began this quest for her new life, her faith was tested again when a woman—a double amputee—in wheelchair recognized Immaculee and explained how her mother had once helped her as child with her school fees. She proceeded to invite Immaculee to come live with her, because she had a home and the means to support her. However, Immaculee was reluctan to accept the woman’s offer, because as she sized her up she thought "how could this woman in wheelchair support me?" The woman did not give up, and finally Immaculee accepted her offer with the condition that her eight friends, who she recently reunited with, needed to be included. The woman agreed whole-heartily to Immaculee’s condition. When the nine friends arrived to the woman’s house, they were surprised to see that this woman was more than able to support them. Therefore, the lesson Immaculee learned from this test was to “always respect people, because you don’t know who God will send you.”

Immaculee was also able to secure a job with the UN through the help of man working there. As she was getting her life back, some of the perpetrators had been prosecuted and sentenced to prison for their part in the genocidal massacre that killed nearly one million people in a 100 days [7]. Sometime later, she summoned up the courage to find the killers of her family. She shared a story when she visited one of the murderers at prison. When Immaculee met the man who she had known before the war, she looked at him and said I forgive you”. The man was not expecting her to say this, so he immediately turned his head away in shame knowing what he did to her family. Meanwhile the prison guard, who happened to be a Tutsi, heard what she said and immediately displayed his disgust in what she just said.

A few years later, Immaculee was informed while at work that the prison guard wanted to see her. She was completely taken aback by his unexpected visit, so when she approached him, she immediately apologized for offending him that day at the prison. He responded by saying “there is no need to apologize because you actually saved my life that day.” He shared with her how the Hutu’s had killed his wife and children causing him to be overcome with intense rage. He explained how he would beat on the Hutu prisoners which gave him some relief but the following day the raging anger returned and he would repeat the same vicious cycle. It was from observing how calm and peaceful Immaculee was that fateful day, is how he was able to let go of his anger and start a new life by getting remarried and having children. He thanked her for what she did, because it gave him his life back.

Helping Liberia Forgive

When she finished telling her story to the audience, she closed by inviting the New Destiny Children’s Choir to accompany her in singing “We Are the World.” What an appropriate song to end such an incredible story. As the program ended and we went our separate ways, I know her story left all of us wondering about our pain and anger that we have not been able to let go. Immaculee shared how she has been telling her story worldwide and how many people have thanked her, because it helped them to overcome their suffering and learn to forgive a friend or loved one.

Immaculee has written three books about her life and experiences, and the process of forgiveness. Her first book is an autobiography called “Left to Tell”, and it gives the complete accounting of her incredible spiritual journey during this vicious massacre in her beloved country. Based on hearing her story, I would recommend this book for anyone struggling with forgiving others or self.

Immaculee’s presence and commitment is an important key in guiding the Liberian people through the healing process of forgiveness. She came to Liberia not only to share her story but also to help with this next phase of the TRC. Her experience has helped illustrate what forgiveness is all about, and the importance it has on our peace of mind. In an effort to help Liberia understand forgiveness she was quoted saying the following in a TRC press release [8]: There can be justice after forgiveness. But when we forgive others we ensure that there is love and reconciliation. Forgiveness doesn't mean that victims have condoned the wrong. Tears don't come from a place of confusion; tears don't come from a place of hate. Forgiveness is a personal decision.

Now that Immaculee has committed her time and expertise, the question still stands “is Liberia ready for forgiveness?” The answer is still not clear, because for the Liberians that I have queried after sharing her story, most have said no. When asked why, some said “not before justice” while others said “not with the rampant problem of Liberians being envious and jealous of each other.” The latter has been exacerbated by poverty and war causing the majority of Liberians living at or below poverty level to compete for limited opportunities. However, for those few who said yes, they believe this can only happen if Liberia can move forward without the imposed prosecutions and sanctions, because there are too many questions and concerns with the TRC process.

This issue of forgiveness is something that most people, if not all, struggle with. Often it is said without sincerity of the heart and this can be a deterrent. When I asked a pastor how do you know if you are ready to forgive, he commented that when you find peace in your heart, and the hurt and pain are no longer present then forgiveness can follow.

As Liberians and everyone else grapples with forgiveness, this post will conclude with some quotes from famous writers and spiritual leaders that can be used to reflect and meditate on letting go...

Forgiveness Quotes

Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” ~ Luke 23:34

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Forgiveness does not mean that we suppress anger; forgiveness means that we have asked for a miracle: the ability to see through mistakes that someone has made to the truth that lies in all of our hearts. Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness. Attack thoughts towards others are attack thoughts towards ourselves. The first step in forgiveness is the willingness to forgive. ~ Marianne Williamson

Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude. ~ Martin Luther King

In forgiving, people are not being asked to forget. On the contrary, it is important to remember, so that we should not let such atrocities happen again. Forgiveness does not mean condoning what has been done. It means taking what happened seriously...drawing out the sting in the memory that threatens our entire existence. ~ Bishop Desmond Tutu

Forgiveness is the economy of the heart...forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred and the waste of spirits. ~ Hannah More

Forgiveness if the fruit of understanding. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

He who forgiveth, and is reconciled unto his enemy, shall receive his reward from God; for he loveth not the unjust doers. ~ Koran Sura

One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody everything every night before you go to bed. ~ Ann Landers

Notes:
[1] To get a full copy of the final report go to https://www.trcofliberia.org/reports/final
[2] “Volume II: Consolidated Final Report.” Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Republic of Liberia” Final Report (Unedited).
[3] In 2003 the UN peacekeepers came in and disarmed all the combatants thus ending the 14-year civil war.
[4] "68% Liberian live in poverty - census reveals." 12 May 2009. Julius Kanubah/Star Radio. Go to www.liberiawebs.com (follow path: home > news > politics > [article title]).
[5] Two award winning movies to watch about the Rwandan Genocide are “Hotel Rwanda” and “Sometime in April”
[6] "1994: Rwanda presidents’ plane ‘shot down’”. BBC News. On This Day: 06 April. Go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/
[7] “Rwanda: How the genocide happened.” BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1288230.stm
[8] “Verdier: Justice is a Natural Course that Should Not Be Comprommised...Rwandese Peace Advocate Immaculee to Assist Liberians...Brings Message of Forgiveness.” 06 June 2009. Truth and Reconciliation Commission Liberia. Go to www

Why Write about Liberia?

For twenty years, Liberia,in one way or another,has been a focus in my life. Since being introduced to Liberia in 1989, I have taken a special interest in learning more about this small tropical West African nation that was founded in 1822 by emancipated and free-born African Americans. This learning quest included extensive independent and scholarly research on its history and current situation, and personal observations of livelihoods and culture from past visits and current residency. Based on this knowledge and experience, I hope that I can give my readers a glimpse into this nation that is enriched with a vivid culture, a vast tropical landscape and an abundant supply of natural resources.

My Experience Traveling and Living in Liberia

I first visited Liberia in late 1998; a year after Charles Taylor was elected President [1]. It was during this visit that a child, a preteen boy, captivated my heart when he perfectly recited President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation during a program facilitated by a tuition-free school for over 200 war-orphaned and abandoned children. As I listened to this boy, I sat wondering as the tears filled my eyes, if anyone in the U.S. could accomplish such a feat with one of our most sacred documents.

My next visit was in mid-2005 a few months before the commencement of the first post-war elections. The country was radiating this amazing energy, because Liberians were eager and excited to cast their votes on October 11 for change. These were people who were completely tired and fed up with living through 14-years of civil war that completely destroyed their country; they were now ready for something different. Amazingly, they would participate in no ordinary election for their next President that had to be decided in a run-off election on November 22. The final results marked a historical moment for Liberia when Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was elected President of Liberia thus becoming the first female head of state in all of Africa.

I moved to Liberia in mid-2007 to volunteer my services and to develop a business partnership in promoting Liberian employment and supporting programs for education and other child-focused projects. My experience with the partnership met with some unfortunate circumstances; however, through my experience residing in Liberia, I assessed how most people live and how they manage to barely survive, if at all, on nearly nothing.

Since coming to Liberia, I have had the opportunity to spend some time out in the interior. During my visit in 1998 as part of humanitarian delegation from Minnesota, I traveled by road from Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (neighboring country to the east) to Monrovia. At this time Liberia’s international airport could not serve large commercial jets, so international flights were diverted to neighboring countries; however, it could land smaller jets. However, as a first time traveler out of the U.S. it was more rewarding to see Liberia’s countryside by road than by air.

Since this first trip, I continue to discover more about Liberia as I venture beyond Monrovia. It is my goal to visit all fifteen counties to understand the livelihoods of the various ethnic groups and to explore the highly diverse ecosystem of the tropical rainforest. So far, I have traveled as far north as Foya City in Lofa County, as far east as Yarpa Town in River Cess County, and as far west as Clay in Bomi County. As I experience different parts of the interior, I have grown to appreciate the peace and serenity of being out in the bush with its beautiful array of flora and the various sounds of nature. It is the perfect escape from the noise and pollution of the overpopulated city of Monrovia.

My Research of Liberia

In combining my personal experience and educational studies I have done a great deal of research to learn about this often forgotten and misunderstood nation. In doing so, I have closely examined Liberia’s relationship with the United States. To first understand how Liberia was created, I had to delve into the darkest realms of U.S. History—the Slavery era. The idea of re-colonization to Africa developed shortly after the U.S. Revolutionary War and it turned into ongoing discussion with U.S. Leaders starting with President Thomas Jefferson. As the United States of America was declaring their independence in 1776, there was a growing population of emancipated and free-born African Americans. This increase in population became the focal point of the discussion for a colony in Africa, because there were concerns and fears that the African Americans would not assimilate into this new independent nation.

After many decades of debate and financial constraints, this concept became a reality when President James Monroe signed the Anti-Slave Trade Act in 1819. This law authorized the President to resettle Africans rescued from captured slave ships by navy patrols to an American-sponsored colony in West Africa. Since this act appropriated $100,000 USD to establish this colony, it also paved the way for the immigration—under the auspicious oversight of groups like the American Colonization Society—of African Americans seeking freedom from their oppressive state. It was from this enactment of U.S law that prompted the new settlers to name the Monrovia after President Monroe.

Nearly two hundred years, Liberia and the U.S. have had a very strained “child-parent” relationship. During the nineteenth century, it took nearly two decades before the U.S.—in the midst of its own civil war—acknowledged Liberia’s Declaration of Independence of 1847, because of its entanglement with slavery in the southern states. During the twentieth century, there were times of collaboration as strategic allies during the two World Wars followed by the Cold War, and there were the times of separation as unapologetic foes during Liberia’s Civil War. Now during the twenty-first century, there seems to be stronger ties between these two nations in effort to rebuild Liberia into a self-sustaining country. Regardless of this historically strained relationship, the Liberian people continue to love and value their U.S. brothers and sisters.

As Liberia recovers from the destruction and debris left in the wake of its civil war, they are trying to rebuild their physical infrastructure, re-establish their rule of law, strength their education system, and energize their economy by promoting domestic and foreign investment. Rebuilding a country from the bottom up takes a great deal of time, human resources and money, and with some of these constraints Liberia continues to make noticeable improvements little by little. Yet, much more needs to be done to bring this country back to glory and have its people feel at home.

So, as Liberia moves forward with their post-war rehabilitation, I will post various topics that deal with these efforts and some of the challenges that might impede their progress. Also, I hope that these posts can open a thoughtful dialog where anyone can share ideas or experiences; because through information sharing, we are “Uniting Distant Stars”.

[1] Former President Taylor is on trial at The Hague for War Crimes committed in the Sierra Leone Civil War.

Welcome Statement

Welcome to Uniting Distant Stars. This blog will share my experiences as a U.S. citizen living and working in Liberia, West Africa. Some of the posts will include my involvement with climate change issues, human rights, non-profit (NGO) work, and anything else that deals with day-to-day life in this developing nation as it recovers from 14 years of civil war. It is the goal of Uniting Distant Stars that through information sharing more people will come to understand and appreciate this small tropical nation in West Africa since it is often omitted from the history books of its mother nation--the United States of America. It is through information sharing that we can unite these two distant nations who have suffered a long and difficult historic relationship.