Open letter To Memphis TV station(WREG)




Mulu GS, 02/03/07

Dear Mike and WREG staff,

It is heart breaking and saddening to watch you using the name of my country Ethiopia to symbolize a dirty village in your city (http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=6031614). I understand that you are quoting the bad mouthed Jessy Jackson, but you should be better than him. Ethiopia is a country of proud and beautiful people who have kept their identity, culture and sovereignty for centuries. Ethiopia is the cradle of mankind (http://www.asu.edu/clas/iho/lucy.html#found) and home of the recent finding of the baby skeleton of over 3 million years old (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14973494/site/newsweek/).

Ethiopia a country of more than 70 ethnic groups speaking over 80 different languages living in harmony for centuries. Ethiopia is the country of ancient civilizations and Christianity (host of the Arc of the Covenant).

Ethiopia is a country who willingly joined the anti-terrorism coalition. You may have noticed the recent successful intervention of Ethiopia to dismantle a terrorist heaven in Somalia which is lauded and appreciated by the US, UN, EU, OAU and the people of Somalia.

Despite all these good images of the country, to use a quote from a guy who does not live by the very ethical standard of his religion is a pity and insulting to me and to my compatriots. Yes, due to natural and man made events, it has not been a prosperous country, but it is emerging now.

Ethiopia is now embarking to celebrate its own millennium that starts in Sept-11-2007, which is Sept 1-2000 Ethiopian Calendar (http://www.ethiopia2000.com/index.php). In this celebration, many people are working to improve the image of Ethiopia. Recent developments are positive and we want to build on that. For instance, Ethiopia is now one of the top Frommer's favorite tourist destinations in the world (http://www.exploreasheville.com/frommers-top-travel-destination-for-2007/index.aspx). The bloggers in the US and around the world are saying good things about Ethiopia's tourism (http://www.justapickle.com/mark/ethiopia_tourist_destination).

So, I am writing this to invite you to help in this endeavor and to urge you to avoid using Ethiopia in a negative way. People like you can make a real difference in improving the image of Ethiopia.
Sincerely,
To write a letter to Mike Mathew: mike.matthews@wreg.com