Some Are Getting Sick While Others Are Getting Better:
SHAME on the MINIM-YELEMITES!

I want to thank Mokshi for speaking out what I was gargling in my mind for quite sometime since I was briefed on what Dr. Erqu of Ethiopian community has said on the dawn of the Ethiopian Millennium. A couple years ago, I approached Dr. Erqu asking him if there was anything he could do to help organize the community to address the political and economical problems of our country. His answer to that question was a clear cut: “The Ethiopian Community has nothing to do with politics and therefore I would not in any way be involved in anything political.” I accepted the answer as legitimate and left his office.

When I heard the doctor’s latest saga, I was shocked. It was shocking because the issue of Millennium Celebration was not political but was just considered as such and thus I can see the doctor wallowing in the sea of politics against what he affirmed not to be involved in. What a sheer contra-diction! The Millennium celebration was about the nations historic past and reflections to the future. Disregarding the motives of the celebration that the Ethiopian Government may have, the millennium celebration without doubt was an opportunity to all of us to make an effort to change the minds of many who equate Ethiopia with famine, hunger and political turmoil to the glorious past of the nation, the land of the beautiful and naturally endowed nation capable of not only feeding its people but also capable of being the bread basket of Africa.

I was very much delighted that the Ethiopian government took the responsibility to take its people into the journey of knowing and remembering the glorious past of the nation and look into the future with optimism and hope. This is what we were waiting to hear and see for quite some time from a government that rules the great nation of Ethiopia. In the historic speech of PM Meles, we have heard words that were never uttered by him in the last 17 years of his administration. If there is any patriotic word any Ethiopian can vividly remember from the mouth of PM Meles is “bandera chereq new,” “yeEthiopia tarik, yemeto amet new,” ““What does the Axum monument mean for the Walaita?” In 17 years, this is the first time I was made to feel that I am ruled by an Ethiopian. Meles may argue: “but you know, words may mean nothing, it is action that matters.” This may be true; however, both words and actions are interdependent. There is more strength when the two go side by side, one talking to the other. I want to say to PM Meles, congratulations for getting better and I want to express my dismay and disappointment to people like Dr. Erqu and the like of him in the Diaspora who are getting sick when the sick are getting better.

On Ethiopian September 1, I went to work as usual. When I arrived at work, here was a Russian Jewish girl who wished me “Happy Millennium and New Year!” She said this in the presence of her friends. Having been stunned, her friends asked for explanation. The lady began telling them that Ethiopia is a unique nation, with 4000 years of history, a cradle of the human race, with its own script and calendar. Her colleagues were amazed by the rich history of Ethiopia. And indeed, I felt proud to hear the excitement of those who were briefed on the glorious past of my nation. If you have thrown the baby with its bath water, truly you have sinned against the nation. If you have missed to celebrate because you have grudges against the government, you missed the boat of your salvation like the people in the days of Noah. Year 2k will never come back again-it is gone never to come back. What a missed opportunity! This opportunity could have served as melting point of all Ethiopians regardless of political differences.

Well, one might say, “but don’t we have bloated, skinny, famine-stricken citizens in Ethiopia today?” Yes, we do, but are these all what we have? Is what we have “menim-yelem?” Yes, we have a lot to tell the world! Shame on the ‘minim-yelamites.” Even a broken clock tells the right time two times in 24 hours. It is impossible that Meles could be wrong in every thing that he does. Let us give him credit where he deserves, otherwise we prove that we are indeed hate-mongers. Mother Ethiopia does not thrive in that kind of malady.

Mezgebe Berhe of Chicago!

Sep 17, 2007