Professor K-Moses Nagbe’s 163rd Independence Day Message
Professor K-Mose Nagbe
On 30 July 2010, one of Liberia’s erudite personalities and prolific writers, Professor K-Moses Nagbe, delivered a speech to the Liberian community in Staten Island in New York. It was his Independence Day message to his fellow Liberians, as Liberia and its people celebrated the country’s 163rd Anniversary.
The speech was neither about teaching history – although history lessons it contained – nor was it about shifting blames or identifying the bad people and the good people in Liberia’s struggle over the years, although it recognized the fact that some have wronged others in the process. Instead, it was about inspiring Liberians to use their diversity and inter-dependence as a people to chart a new course in a new era. In other words, the erudite professor was reaffirming, “We are one people, my people!”
Not to bother or bore you with comments that add nothing significant to Professor Nagbe’s let’s-see-ourselves-as-brothers-
and-sisters message, the full text is presented below.
BEYOND BLAMES TO DREAMS
A SPECIAL CALL OF THE YOUNG MILLENNIUM
AN INDEPENDENCE DAY ORATION
BY
PROFESSOR K-MOSES NAGBE
AT EVENTS MARKING
LIBERIA’S 163RD INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY
HELD WITH
THE STATEN ISLAND LIBERIAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION(SILCA)
ON
JULY 30TH, 2010
MR. PRESIDENT AND OTHER DISTINGUISHED EXECUTIVES OF SILCA;
MEMBERS OF THE SILCA FAMILY;
EXECUTIVES OF INVITED LIBERIAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS ;
OUR COMMUNTY ELDERS
DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY
DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC OFFICIALS;
FRIENDS OF LIBERIA;
DISINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
FELLOW LIBERIANS
À nú wlà [Mandingo]
Wá kú nèyé [Vai]
Wà nayé [Lorma]
Nà kèyé [Gola]
Kà tuà yé [Kpelle]
Mwèn dé [Bassa]
À nwà nà [Kru]
Ma people, y’aw ha do! [Liberian pidgin]
Liberian languages and Liberian spirit called to order! That was part of the energy I felt last Saturday in Washington DC—Liberians with blended voices, Liberians waving, Liberians hugging, Liberians singing, Liberians dancing, Liberians sharing seats, Liberians eating and drinking. Not even the sweltering, soaking heat could disturb the Independen
ce Day celebration on the grounds of the Liberian Embassy. It was good. It was electrifying.
That moment was another proof of the belief I always carry in my heart and mind that we Liberians do love one another more than we are willing to admit or understand. Human nature of greed and anger may every now and then take hold of us. But deep down we love one another. When the dark energy of anger and greed goes away, see how we smile with one another. See how we make every effort to share what we eat and what we drink. See how we share a song and a dance. See how we celebrate, exerting much of the energy which God has given us. I do believe sincerely, Liberians, that we love one another. Never mind the ugly human nature of pride and bigotry that comes upon us every now and then. Deep down, Liberians, I do believe that we love one another.
Who are we? We are citizens of a nation state comprising of many ethnic groups professing a mixture of African and Western outlook on life. Who are we? We are citizens of a nation state of many ethnic groups locked together by Fate, constantly invited by History to fashion a vision and a mission that will help us contribute to regional and global civilization.
Before I sound too romantic and idealistic, fellow Liberians, I am fully aware that in the nation’s existence, which has spanned five-point-five generations to date, things have not always been easy. Liberia has had its painful past, part of which has brought us together in huge numbers outside of our homeland. You will remember that in the 1820s and the 1830s many of the early colonists who left the United States of America to found a refuge died of unfriendly climatic conditions, diseases and sporadic and usually intense clashes with native inhabitants of the new land. You will remember that in the 1870s, political and economic contentions rocked the nation and left Liberians without a leader for several months. You also will remember that in the 1920s and the 1930s political greed and graft led to dubious and embarrassing labor practices which brought in the League of Nations. You as well will remember that in those years int
ernal clashes threatened the survival of the nation.
But that is not all. The 1950s and the 1960s came in. They brought in their share of political tension and uncertainties. Contentious race for state power led to fierce showdowns. People were placed under house arrest; people fled; people died. The communist scare in America at that time found its ways in Liberia and led to the humiliation of budding voices of social and political discontent. The 1970s topped it all. The contention for political, economic and social inclusion rocked the foundation of the nation. The aftermath became a military coup and several years of civil crisis sending hundreds and thousands of Liberians all over the world. I would not be surprised if I went to the North Pole and saw some Liberian family shouting how-dos!
This short list of incidents and events in our nation’s history seems clear justification for all of us to be bitter with one another. Indeed the incidents and events seem to provide good reasons for an unending blame game. But we must understand that we have been locked in by Fate. We belong together. Therefore, instead of agonizing over the “wish-we were,” we must engage with the “what we are and who we are” for the beauty and glory of our dear nation state. We must become realistic dreamers. We must rise in stature. We must become a people refined by the heat of our national crises. Instead of becoming embittered by our national crises, we must use our experiences to renew our spirit of patriotism. Here, at this moment, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, fellow Liberians, if you are wondering what my theme is simply this: We must go beyond blames to fashion dreams, because that invitation is the special call for this young millennium in which we find ourselves. Yes, that is it: BEYOND BLAMES TO DREAMS: A SPECIAL CALL IN THIS YOUNG MILLENIUM.
As a modern nation state, Liberia has seen and experienced so much that various ethnic groups and various economic classes could feel justified to sit endlessly fussing and fighting. The founding of the nation state called Liberia was characterized by sacrifices of sweat, tears, and blood. But is that not natural? Nothing of gorgeous value can always and easily be acquired with minimum effort. Nothing of gorgeous value can always and easily be acquired with less pain. In our human world, pain will usually come in. But we must never allow it to define our national life. We must never allow it to define the peace and progress we are capable of evolving and therefore celebrating. Deep down, I do believe that Liberians love one another and can do better in the life of the country.
This young millennium in which we find ourselves must rejuvenate us. It must help us renew our sense of patriotism. It must drive us to transform our ethnic cultures from liabilities into assets. It must drive us to use our talents, our knowledge and our skills to help build a country which could become an envy of many other countries around the world.
How then shall we seize the moment that is beckoning? How then shall we rise to the challenge of the hour? Let me propose a few ways:
1. Let Diaspora Liberians cultivate a new sense of national life. It should be a new sense that discourages needless internal f
ussing and fighting. It should be a new sense that strengthens camaraderie and networking. It should be a new sense that provides cultural sensitivity for Liberians born abroad or growing abroad. It should be a new sense that provides solid technical and economic partnerships.
2. Let there be the formulating of all-inclusive laws and policies by the Liberian government. Liberia can ill-afford a system which unwisely alienates or diminishes the value of any group of Liberians. It was America’s Kenneth Clark who once observed, and I believe he was right, that “A minority that is sick with despair can poison the well from which the majority too must drink.”
Laws and policies can either build or break the hope of a people. Laws and policies make people reject or accept temptations of rebellion and insurgency. Laws and policies make people rise to or fall from the peak of development and progress. Laws and policies should not be taken lightly. They are the quintessential elements without which a society is prone to fail.
3. Let there be clear and concrete interaction between home-based Liberians and Diaspora Liberians. The number of Liberians out of the country is presently too huge to be ignored. It is not in the hundreds; it is in the thousands; no, it is climbing into the millions. The knowledge and skills acquired by these Diaspora Liberians, and the expanse of social network in which they are participating remain too significant a source of human capital to be ignored.
In that light, I support the establishing of key offices in especially the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice, Labor, Education, and Youth & Sports.
I also support a reasonable legislation which ought to sustain in Diaspora Liberians a sense of national belonging. Other countries have formulated what is referred to as the Diaspora Act. We too can study the measure and fashion what is best.
In any case, with a second citizenship, let dual citizen-Liberians abroad be able to own land in Liberia. Let them be able to establish business ventures. Government should put in place the concurrent tax and other financial and economic laws and policies to reassure Liberians everywhere that they can become ready partners in developing the country of their nativity.
Let them be able to participate in national politics in ways which are not inimical to the core function and interest of the Republic.
I equally support the need for utmost caution in handling recommendations embedded with the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Ideally, it would be commendable to capture and prosecute all or even most primary, secondary, and tertiary actors in our tragic Civil War. It would be equally commendable to ban or ostracize all these actors. But we live in a world far from the ideal. The war has had an adverse impact on every heart and mind of the nation. The war has become something like a fibroid. Patience and tolerance will become the surgical instruments with which to transform the health of the nation. Let us all work to educate and sensitize one another in order that at the ballot box
, or at venues where decisions are peacefully made, we, without fighting, will always produce clean slates of leadership to lead our nation to the height of dignity and respectability.
However painful it may sound, no nation which tasted war and prosecuted or ostracized all or even most primary, secondary, and tertiary actors ever remained steady and strong. Magnanimity of spirit, resilience of patriotism and the courage to rise above the bones and ashes of any such war have often provided the strength to lead a great nation and culture. Germany, America, France, Great Britain, China, Nigeria—these are all modest examples of the point I am making here. Blind as well as widespread retribution can become the source of irreparable disintegration of a nation.
4. Let there be overwhelming emphasis on research and publishing in Liberia. Let government and private institutions fund writers and painters. Let government and private institutions fund Liberian colleges and universities that are prepared always to work together in order to study and deliberate on vexing problems in the country. The rising number of colleges and universities in Liberia must be put to productive use. No nation can advance significantly unless its citizens are prepared to understand the problems they face and identify ways in which they can solve such problems.
Like individual human beings, a nation is often tossed by various challenges of life. Individual human beings may be easily overcome by their problems. But individual nations cannot be easily overcome by their problems. The fact remains that a nation comprises of numerous cultural groups who with skills and talents and multiple levels of endurance can often sort out a number of ways to renew the energy and fortitude of the nation. Yet the process is not automatic. It requires the analysis of what works and should therefore be strengthened and continued, and what doesn’t work and should therefore be discarded or shelved for another moment of serious analysis. Research must therefor
e be encouraged and supported at all levels of the Liberian society.
5. Let there be a national film industry funded both by public and private donations. A nation can constantly face its fears and hopes when it is challenged by numerous perspectives of the creative arts. Around the world, thinkers, activists, and diplomats have exerted much effort to change dismal conditions of life. But no one can easily deny the contribution of mind-moving films. It was true in the days of apartheid in South Africa. It has been true in recent times in the rejection of blood diamonds and all other war-related loot around the world.
Fellow Liberians, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, there is the temptation to go on nonstop. But my role tonight is just one of several roles. So I must end. As I end, I must express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity SILCA afforded me to join in celebrating our nation’s independence week and day. I also wish to take some liberty to join many Liberians in thanking various United States institutions which have been very supportive of fellow Liberians living in Staten Island and in other states, cities, towns, and villages of America. Additionally, I wish to send this thank-you note to numerous Americans of varied thoughts and persuasions, who continue to help Liberians and all other Africans weather the storm in America.
Finally, fellow Liberians, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am reminded of an expression in one of the African languages in Liberia. I am reminded of the Bassa expression which often describes something that is beautiful and exciting. A Bassa speaker is likely to say, “Dè nà kè è nmøjimiøn”—this thing is very beautiful.
Fellow Libe
rians, ladies and gentlemen, deep down, I believe Liberians love one another. An ugly human sense of greed may once in a while take hold of many of us. But when it fades, the smile returns, the kind spirit returns, the laughter returns, the sharing of food and drinks returns, the sharing of a song and a dance returns, the sense of celebration returns. I do believe that Liberians love one another other. Never mind the ugly human sense of pride and bigotry which sometimes takes hold of some of us.
For most of the 163 years of the nation’s existence, we have crawled through the filth and slime of blames, blames which have resulted in needless fussing and fighting. This a new century that is beckoning; this is a new century that is inviting us to move beyond blames to dreams. Let the Bassa nmøjiémiøn become true in our national life. From now on, may that Bassa phrase carry an encompassing meaning of attributes decent and noble enough to help us advance as individuals and as a nation. As we all think about what to do to improve our academic and professional lives, our community service and commitment, let us keep a sense of our appraisal of others, including our men and women in public service, and our individual ethnocultural backgrounds, we must keep a sense of nmøjiémiøn. And may God bless and save Liberia. May God also bless America and the world.
I Thank You
PROFESSOR K-MOSES NAGBE, BA, MA, LLB, is the product of interdisciplinary education. He has been a student of literature, law, the media, accounting, and education. He has a worldview which is critical of power dynamics but empathetic to competitors for power and survival. In short he is both a deconstructionist and a humanist. Professor Nagbe holds degrees from Africa and America. Before obtaining college degrees in Africa, Professor Nagbe studied at the Sinoe High School in Greenville, Sinoe County and the Modern Commercial Institute in Monrovia. He then went on to earn a degree in English and a degree in law from the University of Liberia and its professional school, the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.
Professor Nagbe has also earned a master’s in English from the Glassboro (now Rowan) State University in New Jersey, United States of America.
He has taught for thirty years to date. He has taught at the University of Liberia, the Don Bosco (now Stella Maris) Polytechnic, the Samford Dennis High School, the Monrovia College and Industrial Arts School, and the College of West Africa. He is presently on the English faculty of both Montgomery College and the Prince George’s Community College, all in the State of Maryland, USA.
In Liberia, Professor Nagbe has served as media advisor and trainer. He served as an original member of the Liberian Annual Conference committee to study and help establish the United Methodist University in Liberia. More besides, Professor has served as president of the Liberia Association of Writers (LAW) and president of the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA). As well he has served as Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Information and Legal Counsel and Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Transport.
A lover of language and letters, Professor Nagbe has to his credit a large body of publications. His novels include Whispers, One Saturday in August, A Scream in the Storm, Wings for the Next Day, Sun at Midnight, and The Road to Romeo. His sociocultural works include Fright and Flight: A Reflection on My Refugee Life in Ghana and Just Like Yesterday: A Community Biography of the Sasstown People, two autobiographical accounts titled In the Shadow of Words: Why I Write What I Write and Between the Scissors: Growing Up as an Afrestern Liberian. Professor Nagbe has also done numerous articles, including “The Dangers and Delights of Democracy,” “The Politics of Popular Values,” “Taming the Tyranny of the Few,””Any Man’s Death: A Reflection on the Liberian Tragedy,” “The Path Brutish Beasts: An Analysis of the Liberian Crisis.”
Professor has been a USIA-sponsored International Visiting Fellow and has been featured on BBC for his writing career. He now operates a small family-owned publishing company—Pentina Publishers, Inc., with the pentinapublishers.com as the website.
