By: Stephen Johnson
The history of Liberia has gone through many stages since its inception as a nation ranging from the Americo-Liberian and native divide to the 15 year long civil carnage. These events need not be overemphasized as they did not only create a society bewildered with sectionalism but also contributed to the enormous destruction of lives and properties which has made the task of nation building, genuine reconciliation and national renewal a daunting one. This is a history that many believe is characterize with many internal contradictions within our body politic. It is also viewed as a parochial piece of history designed to promote a specific class or group of people based on the writers' own position relative to our history-something which has resulted into many calls for the rewrite of our history.
The “Matilda Newport event” is one of the many scenarios within our history that has resulted to several claims and counter-claims about her existence, some believe that its a myth while our believe it is a reality. These belief has been influenced largely by one's position in our history. There are other events which catapults into the mayhem and blood bath we experienced firsthand during years of civil war which has lead to a complete collapse in every sector of our country. The likes of health, unemployment, and education are among the many challenges that confronts us as nation.
Paramount also is the menace corruption, this has contributed to the huge underdevelopment and extreme poverty thereby rendering our people to be reduced to beggars surviving on relief and goodwill. Corruption has eaten the very fabric of our economy and while it appears that our leaders lack the political willpower to combat, we as well meaning Liberians must bludgeon them to take responsibility and act within the framework of the law and bring those involve to justice and subsequently punish where a verdict is reached. It is only with this that the process of accountability can take the center stage within our society.
Political hustlers and gatecrashers bend on exploiting the system to enrich themselves at the expense of the mass of people must and should be brought to book, they must be prosecuted and if need be property seized so as to serve as a deterrent. Our people for too long continue to live in the prangs of poverty and depression. We must treat with scorn their vaunted boast of being “the cream dela cream” of our body politics for they are only but mere fortune hunters that are dabbling in catch phrases and inane cliches. We must play a role!
While there exist complexities in our history, it is important for us as the future generation not to set idle but step up to the many challenges and turn them into opportunities. We must adopt a progressive approach that seeks to shift the paradigm and set Liberia on the right trajectory in order for her to gain its rightful place among the comity of nations. We must do a thorough “looking glass self analysis” and set into motion a process which engenders nationalism, love for country and set forth standards that are in tone with international norms and protocols. Unless this is done, the process of providing a remedy to Liberia's titanic problem and nation building remains illusive. This should be our focus!
Happy Independence and Long Live the People of Liberia!!!!!!!!!!!!!
