The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
January 20, 2021

 

The Bidens and the Harrises

Sitting meekly before a television set on America’s East Coast, as we listened religiously to the proceedings of the inauguration of America’s 46th President, Joseph R. Biden, and Vice President, Kamala Harris at the U.S. Capitol. Our attention was drawn keenly by the wordings in the National Anthem and Pledge/Allegiance. Agreed, our forebears sought to remodel the systems in a newfound nation after the United States; for heaven’s sake – where was some iota of creativity? Such is our history, a deliberate intent to refuse to think out of the box although we have been around for 173 years.

Our history has and will continue to arguably remain an intrinsic and indisputable part of our unbridled heritage that defines us as it were. We thank the Americans – who despite the chaotic antecedents of the last two weeks, rose to the occasion to save their cherished democracy. History will remain kind to those who stood on the side of the greater good while those who try to wreck the civility of their civilization will be consigned to the dustbin of history. President Joe Biden has renewed to the world that America is back to take its rightful place and for good.

Amid the ecstasy, emotion, and sobriety of Wednesday, January 20, 2021, while stumbling over America’s 46th President, Joseph R. Biden’s somber but empathetic inaugural message to the American people, our sense of Liberian-ness was invigorated. In our ‘word-smith-ness’, we set out to research Biden’s clarion vow for his compatriots to end the ‘uncivil war’ in a deeply divided country reeling from a battered economy and raging pandemic.  

On July 10, 2018, departing U.S. Associate Justice, Anthony Kennedy interpreted thus: “What defines this uncivil war is a lack of definition or even a desire to define. It thrives on a great dissatisfaction at nothing specific, but rather everything in general.” However, at the center of this uncivil war is a distorted vision of liberty that was ironically articulated by the departing Justice Anthony Kennedy.

In our passionate note of caution to the good people of Liberia; let the word go forth that we cannot be ‘Americans’ and it would be foolhardy to imagine so. Our forebears made historical mistakes! Today we face the harsh realities of the consequences of their actions and inactions. Agreed, such is our history. In 133 years, we stomach divisiveness and unequal distribution of the national cake! Then came 1980, when the inevitable happened! It was a period for reckoning, soul-searching, and renewal. Sadly, amid distorted hiccups, coupled with unkempt political chicanery, we failed to strategically seize the moment.

Deep-seated divisions occasioned us when the unprecedented change of April 12, 1980, enraged the toppled ruling oligarchy, forced some into exile, and saw the rest tamed into unsuspecting dormancy. An attempt to return the country to civilian rule that would see the junta leaders back in the barracks was truncated. That truncation translated into a senseless war that even all its actors cum proponents have shamelessly denounced. So why did we go to war in the first place? It is for all to ponder.

Liberia’s 14 years of conflict produced a divided country – many today carry bitter scars of such hopeless miscalculation. Doe was right but ignored in light of his famous quote: “Town trap is not for rat alone.” We all felt the terrible impact. The Truth and Reconciliation efforts meant to initiate the healing of an emotionally devastated nation amid the huge resources pumped into the process ended quite problematically given division within its own ranks.

Retiring honorably, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said: “She regretted her administration did not do enough on the reconciliation front.” That was an honest admission of a leader hitting the exit. Whatever the attacks by her critics will not solve anything – however, the onus is on Liberians to meet – the debate and chart a way forward. Thanks to the resilience of collaborating forces calling for the scrupulous implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Beyond the administration of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is the leadership of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government. The CDC assumed power in January 2018 owing to a mandate bestowed by the Liberian people. Weah made campaign promises and was elected on account of those critical issues. Those compelling concerns that informed massive votes for George Weah across 14 counties - were ‘reconciliation, roads, security, health education, and national unity.’      

Weah and CDC offered to put themselves forward in 2005, 2011 and as grace would have allowed in 2017 – they did not present their perspectives from the position of weakness. They said they were prepared to set upon themselves the crucial task of nation-building. The trappings of national unity in our dear country are unimaginably illusive! The ball is in President Weah’s court as the expectations are unquestionably high. Managing such expectations and the ability to weigh-in from a national healing foundation must not be ignored.

President Weah and the ruling Coalition for Democratic (CDC) must take a cue from President Joseph R. Biden’s baton of leadership and resilience by vowing to uncivil war a divided America. Weah must take charge of the compelling need for national healing, genuine reconciliation that will ensure victims don’t continue to weep perpetually and embark on economic revival, job creation as well as focus on improved health and education for our people.