Ethiopianism - Part II

“A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.”
― Tony Blair

I had a great dialogue with a friend of mine about this obsession of the meaning of being an Ethiopian, which seems to sprawl its roots in me. We consciously attempted to flip every historical footprint that is ever declared on behalf of our birthplace.

We gazed at the chronicles; from the tribe of Kush to Queen Sheba, from the Axumites to the era of the Kings, from the fables to the controversial declaration of what being an Ethiopian mean for a native of the land.

Our upbringing was filled with the mystical and heroic stories of Ethiopia and Ethiopians that the feeling of greatness hovers above our head like a piece of blessed cloud.  It is almost impossible to assert one’s Ethiopian identity outside this prideful curtain that is most deeply rooted in the historic “past”.

But then reality hits; why in the world, how in the world, these glamorous and prideful existence led many, Ethiopians, go astray like flock of sheep without a shepherd.  Tony Blair once quoted “A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.”  As we Ethiopians jokingly say, almost every person would like to leave the land – if given a chance.  Our self dismantling way of life is not a sign of a great nation and its people!

So, I wonder, and then what does being an Ethiopian really mean?  If the historical account is put aside, if the arrogant curtain of “...I’m better than you, we are better than everybody, we are greater than everybody ...” bluff rolled up, what is the real meaning of being an Ethiopia to each native?

I’m still digging!

Pazion - 2011

Ethiopian Millenium, me and you!

It is a good reason to celebrate, since we are the only generation to make it to this Ethiopian millennium ( 2000), it only comes ones, it only changes ones. So, we hear that there is a great deal of preparation back at the homeland. this is true also in various cities of North America.

It is very refreshing that we celebrate our holidays in a magnificent manner,as a ritual. What makes the millennium unique is not just only it is a holiday, but it is a ONE time incident and it is the only opportunity for Ethiopia and Ethiopian to reflect.

Yes, we are proudly behind the world seven-eight years according to our Ethiopic calendar. But, the truth of the matter is we are also behind the whole wide world seven-eight centuries.

http://www.oxfam.org/en/programs/emergencies/eafricafoodcrisis/index.htm

What is the point? The point is that while we are celebrating our unique role in Africa and in the whole world, we need to remember we are also uniquely crippled for centuries. We have one opportunity, one unique time frame, one generation … with countless possibilities.

Let’s cling to the idea that “the time is now” to turn the country so rich with culture, but so stricken by poverty and corruption. Let’s believe and claim together “The generation is mine, the tools are my creativity, the people are my team who are determined to change the country/our country that has bowed down because of the heavy yoke of poverty, the heavy yoke of corruption”

There is only one millennium, there is only one opportunity, and that is coming! it is up to me and you, either to indulge in a very carnal "celebration" mood, or to craft a plan that will get us out of the dire poverty our families live in amass.