Another Independence Day has arrived, but what is there to celebrate? Independence Day is not just about celebrating age but celebrating fulfilled promises. Our sovereignty as a country goes far beyond the declaration of independence.
It should epitomize how far we have come as a nation in terms of achieving genuine prosperity, reconciliation, peace, justice and equality. It should commemorate achieving socio-economic parity and political freedom.
Is Liberia different from what it was 170 years ago? After almost two centuries, Liberians are free on the paper, but not free in reality.
Independence should not be about celebrating age in poverty and misery, but celebrating longevity in prosperity, equality, and justice for all.
The Independence of Liberia has no value when Liberians remain economically enslaved after 170 years. How can a nation proudly claim to be independent when it is not self-sufficient? A country predominantly dependent on foreign aid has no pride to observe Independence Day.
Liberia is independently parasitic. Independence is not just about freedom from direct rule, but freedom from indirect foreign control, interference, and economic slavery. Independence means protecting human dignity and self-worth through an equal and just governance system.
Even though Liberia is popularly referred to as the Sweet Land of Liberty, is Liberia actually free and sweet for Liberians in this age and time?
After 170 years, are Liberians free from poverty, illiteracy, disease, nepotism, elitism, ethnicity and injustices?
Did our Declaration of Independence promise poverty and inequality? Did it promise mass unemployment and extreme hardship? Did it promise messy education, poor healthcare, and unsafe drinking water? Did it promise bad governance, corruption, bad roads, poor sanitation, food insecurity, lack of electricity, and inadequate housing? Is this independence or dependence?
Has our independence really met its promise or has it given birth to a new and misguided generation of drug addicts, gamblers, car loaders, alcoholics, car washers, store boys, prostitutes, street peddlers, sand miners, rock crushers, casual laborers, coldwater sellers, security guards and a miserable population?
Is this Independence Day worth celebrating? July 26 has lost its true essence. After 170 years of ‘sovereignty,’ Liberians still live like strangers and slaves in their own country. We are predominantly controlled and abused by foreigners. Foreigners even decide what kind of toothpaste we use, the food we eat, the water we drink and the clothes we wear.
Who really runs Liberia? Who are the actual owners of this country?
Commercial banks in this country are owned by Nigerians, Germans, South Africans, and Ghanaians, while the Indians, British, Chinese, Russians, and Australians own mining firms operating in Liberia.
Palm oil plantations are controlled by the Malaysians and Americans, while companies exploring for oil are American, Canadian, and Chinese.
Our pharmacies and clinics are owned by Indians, Pakistanis, and Lebanese, while the largest hotels and resorts are owned by Lebanese, Americans, and the Chinese, along with most large real estate investments.
Indians and the Lebanese control the building materials industry while supermarkets, restaurants, and nightclubs are largely dominated by the Lebanese.
Even in politics, foreigners provide an unreasonably high level of control and influence.
Liberians have become second-class citizens in their own land. In fact, most of them are on the verge of being stateless.
Are Liberians only good enough to be store boys, security guards, street vendors, and casual laborers in their own country? Liberia has become a sweet land of liberty for foreigners and a bitter land of misery for Liberians.
What an irony! This is an irony of obscurity and misery. This is what happens when patriotism and nationalism are lacking on an industrial scale. Liberians, especially those in authority, are mostly blamed for this.
We can change this sad narrative. Ghanaians, Zimbabweans, Nigerians, and other nations in Africa are taking control of their own destinies.
How long will Liberia remain at the very bottom? Only in Liberia do foreigners control almost everything. An end to this gloomy, miserable, and dehumanizing episode is a must.
How can we brag about Independence Day when the best jobs for Liberian youth are store boys, container off-loaders, motorcyclists, security guards, car boys?
How can national unity and prosperity exist when civil servants are receiving between US$100 and US$150 per month while high-ranking public officials are becoming millionaires overnight?
We cannot celebrate Independence Day when slum communities are increasing while a handful of pseudo-patriots and capitalists live in palaces and mansions.
What are Liberians up to? Why must we be the oldest, but poorest especially in the midst of abundant natural resources?
There can be no political independence in the midst of economic dependence. Liberians must think wisely and act promptly in order to rescue their destiny. Surely, Liberians deserve far better as a nation and a people.
With these appalling realities, it is pointless to celebrate this year’s Independence Day. Therefore, Liberians must boycott this year’s celebration as a sign of peaceful protest to these prevailing dilemmas.
Liberians have a choice to alter this miserable chapter. October 10, 2017, is a perfect moment to chart a new course.
The over US$1 million usually appropriated to lavishly entertain the elites during the Independence Day extravaganza could construct modern science laboratories for more than 10 public schools across Liberia.
President John Magufuli of Tanzania canceled Independence Day celebration in 2015 and transferred the money towards the fight against cholera. Can poverty-stricken Liberia tread this path?
From the largest slum of West Point to the top of Ducor, I see a New Liberia rising above the African Continent – a dream that we must all work towards if the future of the next generation must be secured.
Featured photo courtesy of Amelia Bangura
