Fostering National Unity amidst the “Us” versus “Them” Mentality:

Stephen Johnson

While having a regular conversation with a group of young people in Liberia about sports, one of them was quick to point out, saying, “Stephen, you don’t act as if you are from America”. I was astonished and did not understand his perspective at first so I asked, “how young man?” He went on to say “well, you bring yourself down to earth and don’t pick and choose as to whom you interact with, I mean, you are unlike other who would come and act as if we aren’t good enough for their speech”. To me, frankly, it was a wow moment and this has led to give my take on this entire “us” versus “them” mentality debate. What I deduced from this young man’s comment is that when many of us return to Liberia, we go there thinking to ourselves that because we have been opportune, it means we are way above those on the ground. 

We usually do not interact with them as we would with those we believe have similar social status and or class like us. We are so stocked in our pride that we something forget where we came from and thinks that they are less of a human. This to me is not only grotesque but also preposterous. Moreover, the passion with which the young man spoke sent a clear message as to why many a times, there is stalemate and a sharp diversion relative to national unity. Will the debate be any different if many of us change this posture? I honestly think it would. If we go there with a “team-up” mentality, I am positive that the debate would take a different dimension since they are going to feel a part of us. 

The oneness we so envisioned would be enjoin by many of our colleagues back home in championing this cause emphasizing the socio-economic and political gains, Liberia stands to benefit because of national unity. While we also agree that, those at home have a pivotal role to play in this process, we (those of us in the Diaspora) must take the lead, we must team-up with our brothers and sisters at home and above all, we must remain humble. It is only by being humble can we be lifted. Once we do these things, I am sure Liberia will be a better place. Long live Liberia and long live the people of Liberia.