Abesha Bunna Bet

Political corruption, social instability, inflation, illiteracy, and continuous danger of war. Those are some of the things that comes to my mind when i think about my nation. Ethiopia for all its resources (both human and material), has failed miserably.

We are at a critical juncture.

We are at a moment and time where a small mistake like an abrupt war with a neighboring country could endanger our future. I, for one, focus on the heavy population of Ethiopians in diaspora whom i share the blame with for sitting around doing nothing.

There isn’t anything that can be backed by a factual assertion that Ethiopians- in diaspora- has done for their country. Nothing whatsoever.

It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? For all the brains and experience and the little money we can give, we have chosen to be layabouts. It takes such a heavy lifting of words to criticize my fellow country folks. But we are what we are.

Here is the distinction between my argument and so many others that disagree with my pointed, and sometimes blunt views or choice of words. There is what we call a PROBLEM, and there is what we call a SOLUTION.

I am a firm believer of discussing a problem in order to locate the solution, but to discuss a problem as a means for finding an exit way is objectionable. In that way, you could say i am a maverick, and it doesn’t bother me to take the unpopular stand away from my country folks.

Reform and change through out history has not been easy to bring about. It is even that much harder to bring about any type of change in a country that seems to be endlessly run by thuggish leaders.

Does that mean change is improbable? NO.

Does that mean change is impossible? NO.

But is it hard? Indeed.

The motivation an Ethiopian individual needs, to do all that he personally can, is right there in his/her country. You look at the despair and hopelessness that faces the majority of the population, and you wonder to yourself, ”when would all this stop?”

 If you want to know the answer, “it would stop whenever we decide to do something about it collectively”.

It would take a monumental effort that can seem daunting when you look ahead to the work that needs to be done.

Change and reform will take an effort that will decapitate so many people’s vision just by the mere thought of what lies ahead. But those who can overcome that will only be able to do so by having the driving force that is greater than any other, “The Undying Love For Ones country”.

I am proud of my Ethiopian culture. But there is also times when i feel that our culture is a gift and a curse. The curse being our lack of rallying behind one of our own. And this is specially true to those in diaspora.

We all have to find a cause that we are passionate about and take the time to create groups, organizations etc. to further our cause. Some of us lose families to curable and treatable diseases. It doesn’t hurt to raise awareness to the rest  of the world, if you can’t afford to help financially. Most of us can’t do anything individually, and that’s why we MUST unite and create a network that is lasting and time insensitive.

People shouldn’t die from Malaria, hunger, or grow with malnutrition.

 No one can speak for Ethiopians better than an Ethiopian.

I say, forget all about the politics of it all. Leave the politcians to be politicians, even though they undermine and hamper our efforts. We have to learn to think of them as just an obstacle on the road. We have to roll over them like a steam roller.

We can’t be stopped when we speak in unity. But unity is what we lack. And that’s where i feel my people failed it nation and as a result we failed as a nation.

Habesha folks are focused on their own future and good – the catalyst to failure as a society.

A human voice is much stronger than any gun shot, even when it’s a whisper.