During my daily Africa briefings,
today’s Liberian Observer Newspaper Editorial entitled, "Liberians Need a Chemical and Spiritual Change in Their Mentality, Spirit and Attitude-Who Can Make it Happen" has challenged my attention. The article starts off interestingly. The
article veers off to statements about matters for which I have long faulted my
birth country and still carry pent-up frustrations about. Here I share some of
my thoughts.
The Liberia Observer is without
doubt one of the nation’s exemplary conducts of print journalism. In my
opinion, today’s February 1, 2016 editorial in the Liberian Observer reflects
some of what is wrong in our Liberia today. Liberia has an abundance of
brilliant academic minds. Liberia has a wealth of common sense and wisdom in
its elders and tribal leaders. Liberia has highly educated, talented,
experienced, exposed world-class legal experts. I am confident that laws can be
drafted, constructed and executed for a constitutional amendment that would
allow “Others of Non-Negro Descent” to become permanent residents and citizens
of Liberia. Regulations can be implemented to effect the change that would
include those “others of non-negro descent”.
Particularly, the many “Others of Non-Negro Descent” whose place of
birth is the Republic of Liberia. Such a constitutional change would propel
gains and increase their contributions to national development and affect
national stability.
It is not a matter of fact to state that such a necessary and fundamental change, when properly enacted, would leave Liberians poorer and landless. The assertion is not only misleading, but incites shivers of violent fears into the mindset of a populace consisting of an already too large illiterate majority. It keeps the poor ever poorer. It limits life changing resources to a small minority. Lebanese and foreign nationals are not without faults and flaws; neither are natural born Liberians. No union is perfect; together we strive for perfection. Together, we work towards excellence. Liberia needs the people who have helped build the country, opened stores and made small and larger developments into the hinterlands, gave out LPAs that have educated thousands, provided loans to average people to help parents build homes and families survive and upgrade, bankrolled the lifestyles of many so-called wealthy and Liberian elites, and much more. Yes, these are some of what the Lebanese and Non-Black Foreign nationals have done.
It is not a matter of fact to state that such a necessary and fundamental change, when properly enacted, would leave Liberians poorer and landless. The assertion is not only misleading, but incites shivers of violent fears into the mindset of a populace consisting of an already too large illiterate majority. It keeps the poor ever poorer. It limits life changing resources to a small minority. Lebanese and foreign nationals are not without faults and flaws; neither are natural born Liberians. No union is perfect; together we strive for perfection. Together, we work towards excellence. Liberia needs the people who have helped build the country, opened stores and made small and larger developments into the hinterlands, gave out LPAs that have educated thousands, provided loans to average people to help parents build homes and families survive and upgrade, bankrolled the lifestyles of many so-called wealthy and Liberian elites, and much more. Yes, these are some of what the Lebanese and Non-Black Foreign nationals have done.
To say the least, the article making a reference to Presidents King, Tubman, Tolbert, Doe, Taylor, Sirleaf, and
somehow concluding that the Lebanese and foreign nationals are responsible for
Liberians being at the lower economic and social ladder in their own country is
contradictory, for starters. Dare I say it is a faulty conclusion. Such representations that could incite apprehensive behavior and stir up
revolutionary urgings do not benefit Liberians. There are pros and cons to
every situation, including changing of status quo. The influx of “negro-descent”
foreigners now overrunning Liberia is having no substantial benefit to the
country. Instead, many of these businesses are mismanaged, non-lucrative and
non-business entities. I dare to say, just as corrupt as any other corrupt
enterprise, including Liberian owned. Further, many of these “only
negro-descent” business owners often are hoarding their profits and funneling
it back into their respective countries, which countries are usually much
poorer than Liberia.
The matter of granting residency and citizenship to persons born in Liberia who are not of the Black race is timely, and will not disappear because of one-sentence fear invoking statements. The matter of Lebanese, Indians and other non-Black foreign nationals who have lived their entire lives in Liberia, others having lived, died and are buried in Liberia, yet still considered as misplaced homeless foreigners with no legal status or protection is wrong. These matters will persist until what is morally wrong is corrected. Not to mention Liberia is a country which depends on foreign aid for almost everything. Dare we forget the tremendous support the international community of “non-negro-descent worldwide citizens” give this country during our always desperate long running destitute years. There is nothing like an idea whose time has come to be implemented. There is nothing more intense than a change that needs to happen. Maligning the constructive partnering efforts of Lebanese, Indians, and other Non-Black foreign nationals is wrong. Rejecting Lebanese and other foreign nationals who have lived, worked, and supported the Liberian economy for decades is not right. The premise that inhibits this is fundamentally and morally flawed. Plain and simply wrong. Non-black foreign nationals, including Lebanese, Indians, Europeans, who were born in Liberia, and have lived solely in the country for 50, 70, 90 plus years, should have the opportunity to call Liberia their home and live here with dignity and decency. Many of these nationals, especially the Tubman era generation and younger, know no other country but Liberia. It is where they want as beneficiaries of their lives and opportunities.
The matter of granting residency and citizenship to persons born in Liberia who are not of the Black race is timely, and will not disappear because of one-sentence fear invoking statements. The matter of Lebanese, Indians and other non-Black foreign nationals who have lived their entire lives in Liberia, others having lived, died and are buried in Liberia, yet still considered as misplaced homeless foreigners with no legal status or protection is wrong. These matters will persist until what is morally wrong is corrected. Not to mention Liberia is a country which depends on foreign aid for almost everything. Dare we forget the tremendous support the international community of “non-negro-descent worldwide citizens” give this country during our always desperate long running destitute years. There is nothing like an idea whose time has come to be implemented. There is nothing more intense than a change that needs to happen. Maligning the constructive partnering efforts of Lebanese, Indians, and other Non-Black foreign nationals is wrong. Rejecting Lebanese and other foreign nationals who have lived, worked, and supported the Liberian economy for decades is not right. The premise that inhibits this is fundamentally and morally flawed. Plain and simply wrong. Non-black foreign nationals, including Lebanese, Indians, Europeans, who were born in Liberia, and have lived solely in the country for 50, 70, 90 plus years, should have the opportunity to call Liberia their home and live here with dignity and decency. Many of these nationals, especially the Tubman era generation and younger, know no other country but Liberia. It is where they want as beneficiaries of their lives and opportunities.
Most interesting to note, it is
an established fact that many of said Liberians who vehemently are against
consideration to amend the constitution and allow Lebanese and foreigners legal
status in Liberia are the same exclusive group who consistently lease out their
lands, properties and buildings to the very Lebanese and non-Black nationals,
for extensive periods of 30-75 years per agreement. Remittances, often paid to
them in advance huge annual sums at a time, are enjoyed exclusively by they and
their families. While these pocket full of money Lessors-Landlords yell out to their fellow poor, non-sophisticated, illiterate, non-lettered property owners, “…The
Lebanese people will take away all your land from your…!” Dare I ask these lessor-landlords, “Well
then, when you lease out your properties, how much of the proceeds do you spend
on developments that would benefit the poor masses? How much investment do you
make in the hinterland? What does your huge amounts of money and profits received from the foreign nationals do to alleviate sufferings of the poor masses so that they
would enjoy a somewhat better life? How many businesses do you start to afford
poor people children an opportunity to have a somewhat better lease on life?” What
is prompting this outcry of fear tactics? No nation thrives when fears and
trepidation abound aimlessly. May I repeat my resounding
phrase to this debate:
Liberia has an abundance of brilliant academic minds. Liberia has a wealth of common sense and wisdom in its elders and tribal leaders. Liberia has highly educated, talented, experienced, exposed world-class legal experts. I am confident that laws can be drafted, constructed and executed for a constitutional amendment that would allow “Others of Non-Negro Descent” to become permanent residents and citizens of Liberia. Regulations can be implemented to effect the change that would include those “others of non-negro descent”. I dare to say true nation building will commence.
My purpose here is to open this
dialogue. I intend to start the conversation. I plan to and will stay with this
discussion. We, Liberians, are a well learned, well exposed, well connected,
intelligent, educated and sophisticated bunch. There is an ongoing brain drain
in Africa. Like most African countries, many Liberians have spent majority of
our productive years in exile from our homeland. Need I say we have learned and experienced what it means to come as a struggling stranger and be welcomed to assimilate in someone else's country. We have enjoyed and be rewarded for being a a law-abiding citizen, with every right and privilege accorded to make the new country your new home.
Liberians can handle this debate better than shutting off the valve out of fear and misinformation. Let us invite differing viewpoints, rational ideas, arguments, but frank and honest conclusions. Talk about the details. Responsibly. With truth and honesty. No longer should any action or decision that affects members of humankind be based strictly and solely on the color of a person's skin. TO BE CONTINUED
Liberians can handle this debate better than shutting off the valve out of fear and misinformation. Let us invite differing viewpoints, rational ideas, arguments, but frank and honest conclusions. Talk about the details. Responsibly. With truth and honesty. No longer should any action or decision that affects members of humankind be based strictly and solely on the color of a person's skin. TO BE CONTINUED
Blessings and peace,
Hortense Duarma Grimes
Born: June 15, 1964, Firestone Harbel Hospital, Liberia, West Africa
Raised and Nurtured: Careysburg, Montserrado County; Gbarnga, Bong County; Harper City Cape
Palmas, Maryland County; Bensonville/Bentol City, Montserrado County; Somalia
Drive Paynesville, Monrovia Liberia.
Educated: Fatima Elementary School, Cape Palmas, Maryland County; Ricks
Institute, Virginia Liberia; The University of Liberia. Global Worldwide Life on Planet Earth.
Citizen by Birth: The Republic of Liberia
Citizen by Naturalization: The United States of America
Founder, Do It For Christ Ministries Intl.
Dream Bearer & Dream Carrier, Solace Africa Worldwide
Creator, Hortense Grimes Inspiration Media (HortenseINSPIRATION)
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