Often there are complaints that Ethiopia is messed up with racist views and practices. These complaints are often related with the federal system that allows nations and peoples of Ethiopia for self governance . But it seems it is not clear what makes one racist. I want to see what a racist view constitutes in this article.
For me Knowing this country is composed of diverse ethnic nations and peoples is in no way being racist. Ethiopia is made of ethnically diverse people. If that is the case, the next question is how can ethnically diverse nation like Ethiopia be governed? I don't think we come up with only one alternative of governance.
The people of this country make a united Ethiopia while they speak different languages, live with their own unique cultures and enjoy diverse but beautiful traditions. These people also share rich history and remain united for so long despite whatsoever. Their unity glows with untainted independence despite several attempted invasions.
I see two polarized views: One that says nations have to secede considering unity as a problem and the other that claims forget about your race and just become Ethiopian; this view considers the diversity as a problem. For me both views are dead wrong. Secession doesn't necessarily bring democracy and prosperity. Eritrea is the real example. They brake away but they got another Mengistu Hailemariam- Isayas Afworki who often headbutt his colleagues. Unity is not also a guarantee for prosperity and democracy. You can name many nations who remain united but languishing in poverty. Therefore, it is all about governance and having leadership that has what it takes to run this diverse but strong country.
At the same time, the problem for our unity is not the diverse languages and cultures we are rich with. It is injustice and segregation that harm any society. The problem that needs radical shift rather is: either considering one race superior or inferior.
Basically one who considers oneself inferior is a possible agent for feeding the ego of the other who feels superior. And the one who feels superior is also pushing the other one to see himself inferior. Both are bad and wrong notions. By our very nature human beings are equal. Don't forget Adolf Hitler motivates the Nazi party with such nasty views and caused unprecedented annihilation in WWII.
So what middle ground do we have to seek for natural and organic solution for what we are?. First I suggest to accept Ethiopia as it is not as we wish it to be. Second let's agree diversity is not a problem but it's not also similar with having one race and culture in one country. Therefore it takes a different skilled leadership and governance.
Fear 1: "Letting Nations and Peoples Govern themselves is Feeding them for Secession"
I need Ethiopia to remain united and I share efforts that go to maintain our unity. I believe big is good if properly led. Yet I don't believe Ethiopian nations remain united for they have no idea about self governance and secession. It is not self governance that motivates them for secession. We are not united because we have central government. I believe we remain united because we choose so. Otherwise the rest of the people in Ethiopia aren't stupid and Eritreans were not bright enough because they fought for secession. It is just a matter of choice and commitment to it. The rest chose to remain united despite calls from some fronts like OLF, ONLF,...
"Deny nations the right to self-govern and keep them united" is really insulting for me. As Amhara personally I am not mere Ethiopian and want unity just for some political elites told me so. We have far greater causes and reasons to remain united. As unity is strength and like the constitution says we have a richly great history and culture we share over the centuries we stay together. we also know a united Ethiopia can become one big economic and political society in East Africa. We know by being small like Djibouti we may fall prey to bullies in the otherwise violent region. Ethiopia is playing a greater role for the peace and stability in the sub-region plus Africa because it is a strong big country though poor in economic terms for the time being.
I believe we have fundamental causes to maintain our unity, far greater causes than just fear. I don't believe diverse nations only be governed in ethnic federalism. But I don't also see any problem with ethnic federalism so long as it works well. I see the overwhelming majority needs unity in this country. The educated core understands the problem for this country is not the unity and the solution is not in secession we might go for. What is essential here in our country is able leadership that can govern this diverse, great country. I believe the fear is irrelevant though I maintain the concern is innocent and purely occurs out of need for unity.
Fear 2: "Peoples Using their Differing Mother Tongue Can't Speak the Same Thing for Unity"
I believe unity can be spoken of by people speaking differing languages. Now the overwhelming majority prefers unity, yet that overwhelming majority is speaking different mother tongues. It is not in the language we speak we stamp our unity. It is in the history we share, it is in the country we build together over the centuries. It is in the one economic and political society we have built over the years. We also understand like I said unity is a means to greater prosperity. America couldn't have become what it is now had it been small. Big population matters in the long term. That is why EU is doing what it has managed to agree upon so that it can amass greater economic and political power which they can't make by their own had they been divided.
We prefer unity and live it not because we speak the same language. It is because we share far bigger economic, political, cultural and historical causes. Honestly those causes don't necessarily need us to speak the same language. Diverse EU is talking about same EU issues with differing languages hitting same target. It is causes that unite not languages and cultures. Of course to run federal affairs we need one language and we have already chosen Amharic. It is well functioning for the purpose it is needed for. What matters is the content of our unity not the language that functions to get across the content of our unity.
Fear 3: "Hey like we fear, some regional states deny other nations in their region access to education and other administrative services in Amharic or language of their specific race"
These are examples from the practices and are more factual. Here I believe if there are many residents of a particular race in any regional state who constitute enough number to form a class or so, they shouldn't be denied access to education and administrative services in their own language. The constitution guarantees that. No language should be imposed as it shouldn't be disregarded. For example if there are Oromo communities in Amhara regional state, they have all the right to learn in Oromifa. It is happening in Kemise and Bati I know.Though it is under Amhara regional state, the administration works in Oromifa at offices and schools. I know the same thing happens in the South regional state in places like Arbaminch and many other towns; finding schools that teach in Amharic is easy. The same should be true for any race in any regional state.
The constitution allows anyone to be provided with this. Even Ethiopians in Washington DC are allowed to use Amharic as their number there is big enough to seek such government services in Amharic. It is up to the federal and regional governments to follow and correct such gaps as it happens. I think this is relevant concern and need prompt response every time it happens.
Fear 4: " Conflicts in universities, in neighboring regional states specially in the pastoralist areas are due to this ethnic federal system"
The fact that there are ethnically charged conflicts and situations in Universities is acceptable.The claim that there are conflicts in neighboring pastoralist areas is notable. What I can't understand is its relation with the constitution that recognizes the equality of nations and peoples in Ethiopia. I don't believe allowing equality in the constitution causes conflicts to arise. What flares conflicts is the feeling that I am inferior or superior. The constitution doesn't guarantee this view would blow away just because these rights are protected by the constitution. Wiping such racial tendencies will take time and may stay for quite sometime despite promising efforts.
But there is every legal means to take such actors down. The problem is youth in the universities usually tend to solve things through violence. It is like correcting error with another error. violence is equally wrong like racism is. Let's say few Tigre students in the university brag to be superior. Then it is up to you to show your confidence by taking them to respective legal bodies to get them punished for what they do. Know this they don't represent the wider students from Tigrai let alone Tigrai people. They are there by their own for education not representing anyone. If somebody does something wrong, he should be responsible not his race. It is his behavior that errs not his blood.
The problem I see is that one who says I believe in equality boils himself feeling he is seen as being inferior. Here comes the point; no body proves for you that you are equal and great like anyone. You are supposed to naturally know it. Keep it despite whatsoever. The one who brags as superior be it Amhara, Tigre, Oromo, Sidama, Wolita, Harari has a lesson to learn. He is sick and has a mind to shape. Don't take his shameful views and torture yourself.
As to conflicts in neighboring pastoralist areas, it is customary for them to follow their herd so long as they find pasture. At times when they face shortage of pasture, they often clash to get the pasture for their respective herds. This is a fact. What I can't see is what the constitution does to flare this conflict. It rather forwards the way out. Such conflicts end when we are able as a nation to find a way to provide pasture for pastoralists near their villages. And these are typically development questions not racial at all. What they try to make sure is the existence of their herd and their own life not the equality of their race. I don't know how one takes it racial.
Anyhow these concerns need critical attention and I think that is why the Federal Affairs Ministry is there. It is rather good to see the performance of the ministry and criticize it than the federal system that has nothing to do with the conflicts that arise out of search for pasture and out of immaturity of students's views on race.
Therefore, considering these fears as relevant evidences and blaming the constitution for flaring conflicts and promoting racism appears totally wrong. The wrongs are in how we behave not in how the Constitution enshrines rights. Racism is part of our flawed paradigm. It has nothing to do with the Constitution that protects human and democratic rights. Better for each of us to do deep sole searching than taking excuse out of the blue.
For me Knowing this country is composed of diverse ethnic nations and peoples is in no way being racist. Ethiopia is made of ethnically diverse people. If that is the case, the next question is how can ethnically diverse nation like Ethiopia be governed? I don't think we come up with only one alternative of governance.
The people of this country make a united Ethiopia while they speak different languages, live with their own unique cultures and enjoy diverse but beautiful traditions. These people also share rich history and remain united for so long despite whatsoever. Their unity glows with untainted independence despite several attempted invasions.
I see two polarized views: One that says nations have to secede considering unity as a problem and the other that claims forget about your race and just become Ethiopian; this view considers the diversity as a problem. For me both views are dead wrong. Secession doesn't necessarily bring democracy and prosperity. Eritrea is the real example. They brake away but they got another Mengistu Hailemariam- Isayas Afworki who often headbutt his colleagues. Unity is not also a guarantee for prosperity and democracy. You can name many nations who remain united but languishing in poverty. Therefore, it is all about governance and having leadership that has what it takes to run this diverse but strong country.
At the same time, the problem for our unity is not the diverse languages and cultures we are rich with. It is injustice and segregation that harm any society. The problem that needs radical shift rather is: either considering one race superior or inferior.
Basically one who considers oneself inferior is a possible agent for feeding the ego of the other who feels superior. And the one who feels superior is also pushing the other one to see himself inferior. Both are bad and wrong notions. By our very nature human beings are equal. Don't forget Adolf Hitler motivates the Nazi party with such nasty views and caused unprecedented annihilation in WWII.
So what middle ground do we have to seek for natural and organic solution for what we are?. First I suggest to accept Ethiopia as it is not as we wish it to be. Second let's agree diversity is not a problem but it's not also similar with having one race and culture in one country. Therefore it takes a different skilled leadership and governance.
Fear 1: "Letting Nations and Peoples Govern themselves is Feeding them for Secession"
I need Ethiopia to remain united and I share efforts that go to maintain our unity. I believe big is good if properly led. Yet I don't believe Ethiopian nations remain united for they have no idea about self governance and secession. It is not self governance that motivates them for secession. We are not united because we have central government. I believe we remain united because we choose so. Otherwise the rest of the people in Ethiopia aren't stupid and Eritreans were not bright enough because they fought for secession. It is just a matter of choice and commitment to it. The rest chose to remain united despite calls from some fronts like OLF, ONLF,...
"Deny nations the right to self-govern and keep them united" is really insulting for me. As Amhara personally I am not mere Ethiopian and want unity just for some political elites told me so. We have far greater causes and reasons to remain united. As unity is strength and like the constitution says we have a richly great history and culture we share over the centuries we stay together. we also know a united Ethiopia can become one big economic and political society in East Africa. We know by being small like Djibouti we may fall prey to bullies in the otherwise violent region. Ethiopia is playing a greater role for the peace and stability in the sub-region plus Africa because it is a strong big country though poor in economic terms for the time being.
I believe we have fundamental causes to maintain our unity, far greater causes than just fear. I don't believe diverse nations only be governed in ethnic federalism. But I don't also see any problem with ethnic federalism so long as it works well. I see the overwhelming majority needs unity in this country. The educated core understands the problem for this country is not the unity and the solution is not in secession we might go for. What is essential here in our country is able leadership that can govern this diverse, great country. I believe the fear is irrelevant though I maintain the concern is innocent and purely occurs out of need for unity.
Fear 2: "Peoples Using their Differing Mother Tongue Can't Speak the Same Thing for Unity"
I believe unity can be spoken of by people speaking differing languages. Now the overwhelming majority prefers unity, yet that overwhelming majority is speaking different mother tongues. It is not in the language we speak we stamp our unity. It is in the history we share, it is in the country we build together over the centuries. It is in the one economic and political society we have built over the years. We also understand like I said unity is a means to greater prosperity. America couldn't have become what it is now had it been small. Big population matters in the long term. That is why EU is doing what it has managed to agree upon so that it can amass greater economic and political power which they can't make by their own had they been divided.
We prefer unity and live it not because we speak the same language. It is because we share far bigger economic, political, cultural and historical causes. Honestly those causes don't necessarily need us to speak the same language. Diverse EU is talking about same EU issues with differing languages hitting same target. It is causes that unite not languages and cultures. Of course to run federal affairs we need one language and we have already chosen Amharic. It is well functioning for the purpose it is needed for. What matters is the content of our unity not the language that functions to get across the content of our unity.
Fear 3: "Hey like we fear, some regional states deny other nations in their region access to education and other administrative services in Amharic or language of their specific race"
These are examples from the practices and are more factual. Here I believe if there are many residents of a particular race in any regional state who constitute enough number to form a class or so, they shouldn't be denied access to education and administrative services in their own language. The constitution guarantees that. No language should be imposed as it shouldn't be disregarded. For example if there are Oromo communities in Amhara regional state, they have all the right to learn in Oromifa. It is happening in Kemise and Bati I know.Though it is under Amhara regional state, the administration works in Oromifa at offices and schools. I know the same thing happens in the South regional state in places like Arbaminch and many other towns; finding schools that teach in Amharic is easy. The same should be true for any race in any regional state.
The constitution allows anyone to be provided with this. Even Ethiopians in Washington DC are allowed to use Amharic as their number there is big enough to seek such government services in Amharic. It is up to the federal and regional governments to follow and correct such gaps as it happens. I think this is relevant concern and need prompt response every time it happens.
Fear 4: " Conflicts in universities, in neighboring regional states specially in the pastoralist areas are due to this ethnic federal system"
The fact that there are ethnically charged conflicts and situations in Universities is acceptable.The claim that there are conflicts in neighboring pastoralist areas is notable. What I can't understand is its relation with the constitution that recognizes the equality of nations and peoples in Ethiopia. I don't believe allowing equality in the constitution causes conflicts to arise. What flares conflicts is the feeling that I am inferior or superior. The constitution doesn't guarantee this view would blow away just because these rights are protected by the constitution. Wiping such racial tendencies will take time and may stay for quite sometime despite promising efforts.
But there is every legal means to take such actors down. The problem is youth in the universities usually tend to solve things through violence. It is like correcting error with another error. violence is equally wrong like racism is. Let's say few Tigre students in the university brag to be superior. Then it is up to you to show your confidence by taking them to respective legal bodies to get them punished for what they do. Know this they don't represent the wider students from Tigrai let alone Tigrai people. They are there by their own for education not representing anyone. If somebody does something wrong, he should be responsible not his race. It is his behavior that errs not his blood.
The problem I see is that one who says I believe in equality boils himself feeling he is seen as being inferior. Here comes the point; no body proves for you that you are equal and great like anyone. You are supposed to naturally know it. Keep it despite whatsoever. The one who brags as superior be it Amhara, Tigre, Oromo, Sidama, Wolita, Harari has a lesson to learn. He is sick and has a mind to shape. Don't take his shameful views and torture yourself.
As to conflicts in neighboring pastoralist areas, it is customary for them to follow their herd so long as they find pasture. At times when they face shortage of pasture, they often clash to get the pasture for their respective herds. This is a fact. What I can't see is what the constitution does to flare this conflict. It rather forwards the way out. Such conflicts end when we are able as a nation to find a way to provide pasture for pastoralists near their villages. And these are typically development questions not racial at all. What they try to make sure is the existence of their herd and their own life not the equality of their race. I don't know how one takes it racial.
Anyhow these concerns need critical attention and I think that is why the Federal Affairs Ministry is there. It is rather good to see the performance of the ministry and criticize it than the federal system that has nothing to do with the conflicts that arise out of search for pasture and out of immaturity of students's views on race.
Therefore, considering these fears as relevant evidences and blaming the constitution for flaring conflicts and promoting racism appears totally wrong. The wrongs are in how we behave not in how the Constitution enshrines rights. Racism is part of our flawed paradigm. It has nothing to do with the Constitution that protects human and democratic rights. Better for each of us to do deep sole searching than taking excuse out of the blue.
No comments:
Post a Comment