LIberia: Black Blood, White Politics by Cortney Scott

Liberia is a West African country on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and home to 3,317,176 people, of which 82,929 are descendants of immigrants from the United States who had been slaves. Due to ongoing civil wars that have claimed countless lives and left hundreds of thousands of refugees, Liberia is undergoing massive change and reconstruction of its government, economy and, consequently, the lives of the surviving people.

Civil war and misgovernment have destroyed much of Liberia¹s economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia, the nation¹s capitol. Many businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some have returned since now exiled Charles Taylor, former president, resigned a few months ago under pressure by the US and other countries that have an interest in the rich resources that are abundant in the country, but many will not return. Richly endowed with water, minerals, forests and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia has been a producer and exporter of basic products, primarily raw timber and rubber (Liberia is the largest producer of rubber in the world). Local manufacturing, mainly foreign-owned, has been small in scope. The restoration of the infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the settlement of civil warfare and generous support from donor countries. Alexander Gbayee, who has served as Consul General of Liberia for more than thirty years, discussed the plight of Liberia with the Sunnyside to inform the uninformed about what is taking place. “From 1990 until now, Liberia has been in constant civil war. This war has killed over 300,000 people. All of the infrastructure was either damaged or completely destroyed, including hospitals, clinics, public and private buildings and schools. In neighboring countries like the Ivory Coast, there are over 30,000 refugees. In Ghana, we had close to 30,000 refugees and in Guinea, Nigeria and the USA, there are many thousands more refugees as well,” Mr. Gbayee stated.

The U.S. recently got involved with peacekeeping efforts, along with the United Nations as well. Ironically, the US only sent a small number of marines there, basically to protect the US Embassy. In reality, it is the joint effort of the armies of the neighboring countries that are actually in the streets of Monrovia assuring the stability of its citizens against the rebel fighters. Since the resignation of Charles Taylor, who was indicted on war crimes and is now in exile in Ghana, Judae Bryant is serving as interim president until elections take place in 2006. At that time, citizens of Liberia will be able to vote for the best candidate to be their appointed leader. But what caused the civil war in the first place? “Corruption... corruption...corruption!” Mr. Gbayee said. “The Western countries have a lot to do with it. While we were fighting, they were constantly taking Liberia¹s raw materials. In Africa, no country makes guns or bullets. That played a major role.”

Since the resignation of Charles Taylor, there is now a great sense of relief that has swept across the country. “Here is a man that has been in power for six years but who has not done anything for the people. There was no electricity, no running water, the roads were washed out and the hospitals were completely empty. But yet, he had 2.5 billion dollars in his account. He had water and electricity for himself. Even most of the people that were fighting for him were not getting paid; just a few people who were close to him were living like princes and kings. The people are all relieved. We have great hope that peace will come because the people there have suffered for so long,” Gbayee said.

Liberia¹s future is already starting to look up. During Taylor¹s reign, an embargo was put on Liberia. Taylor was not allowed to travel or negotiate with other countries because of their inherent distrust of him. Now that he is gone, donor countries have shown their support and aid to Liberia with little or no reserve. In order for Liberia to grow and thrive again, Mr. Gbayee went on to say, “First, it has to come from the people, they have to want peace for the peace plan to work. Secondly, the Liberians abroad must stimulate our people in the Black communities. Our Black leaders in Congress like Danny Davis, Jesse Jackson Jr., Bobby Rush and Dick Devine must be urged to do something.”

It is a well-known fact that LIberia has a long-term relationship with the USA. Liberians were there to help America during World War I and World War II. They provided a base and the raw material that was needed. Liberia also provided the tower in which the CIA used to gather their intelligence information to aid in their strategic maneuvers. “We need America to help with peacekeeping efforts. America has an obligation to us because of the help we provided them when they needed it, and we want Bush to know that!” Mr. Gbayee said with conviction.

Liberia, geographically, appears to be very far away from us in Chicago. But actually, the plight of Liberians is being felt right here in our own city. Chicago is home to over 4000 Liberians, and Minnesota is home to over 30,000 LIberians. Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Boston, and Rhode Island claim over 200,000 Liberians. An overall estimate of Liberians in this country is one-half million people. “Ninety percent of the Liberians here want to go back home,” Mr. Gbayee said, “They just want to make sure the security is there. Many of them are professionals that can create jobs for themselves and the people. There is nothing like home. When the plane lands and your feet touch the Liberian soil, you feel complete, you feel good. But nobody can do it for us, we have to do it ourselves. The Liberian community needs to organize itself to seek help to help our people back home.”

Chicago has made efforts in the past to give assistance to Liberians here and at home. With funding given by Mr. Gbayee and Chicago State University, 25 scholarships were given to Liberian immigrants in Chicago. What is even more impressive is that all of those that received the scholarship went on to graduate and many are now doctors, lawyers and teachers. “During our crisis, we were able to send seven full containers of relief items, clothing, medicine, hospital supplies, books and so forth. A school just recently gave me a complete set of high school books. This weekend we are expecting 4000 more books as well. Through the churches and specifically operation PUSH, we just got five containers of medicine and hospital supplies. Now we are working on raising money to get all of these items shipped to Liberia.” Gbayee said.

I was once told by a very wise man from Africa, “The only thing that makes us different is what we don¹t know about each other.” His words are forever etched in my memory, and hopefully upon reading this, it will become a part of yours as well. Yes, citizens of America do have an obligation to help relieve the plight of Liberia and its people. If the tables were turned, I¹m sure we would want help from anyone that can do so. In this case, a little can go a long way. To turn our backs to what is going on is to turn our backs on ourselves. Compassion is the key that will unlock many possibilities, and in one way or another, we will all benefit from it. Please call the Consul General, Alexander Gbayee at 773-643-8635 to be a part of the rebuilding process of a nation that is in dire need of your assistance. Call today.



			Liberia: Black Blood, White Politics by Cortney Scott Liberia is a West African country on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and home to 3,317,176 people, of which 82,929 are descendants of immigrants from the United States who had been slaves. Due to ongoing civil wars that have claimed countless lives and left hundreds of thousands of refugees, Liberia is undergoing massive change and reconstruction of its government, economy and, consequently, the lives of the surviving people. Civil war and misgovernment have destroyed much of Liberia¹s economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia, the nation¹s capitol. Many businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some have returned since now exiled Charles Taylor, former president, resigned a few months ago under pressure by the US and other countries that have an interest in the rich resources that are abundant in the country, but many will not return. Richly endowed with water, minerals, forests and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia has been a producer and exporter of basic products, primarily raw timber and rubber (Liberia is the largest producer of rubber in the world). Local manufacturing, mainly foreign-owned, has been small in scope. The restoration of the infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the settlement of civil warfare and generous support from donor countries. Alexander Gbayee, who has served as Consul General of Liberia for more than thirty years, discussed the plight of Liberia with the Sunnyside to inform the uninformed about what is taking place. “From 1990 until now, Liberia has been in constant civil war. This war has killed over 300,000 people. All of the infrastructure was either damaged or completely destroyed, including hospitals, clinics, public and private buildings and schools. In neighboring countries like the Ivory Coast, there are over 30,000 refugees. In Ghana, we had close to 30,000 refugees and in Guinea, Nigeria and the USA, there are many thousands more refugees as well,” Mr. Gbayee stated. The U.S. recently got involved with peacekeeping efforts, along with the United Nations as well. Ironically, the US only sent a small number of marines there, basically to protect the US Embassy. In reality, it is the joint effort of the armies of the neighboring countries that are actually in the streets of Monrovia assuring the stability of its citizens against the rebel fighters. Since the resignation of Charles Taylor, who was indicted on war crimes and is now in exile in Ghana, Judae Bryant is serving as interim president until elections take place in 2006. At that time, citizens of Liberia will be able to vote for the best candidate to be their appointed leader. But what caused the civil war in the first place? “Corruption... corruption...corruption!” Mr. Gbayee said. “The Western countries have a lot to do with it. While we were fighting, they were constantly taking Liberia¹s raw materials. In Africa, no country makes guns or bullets. That played a major role.” Since the resignation of Charles Taylor, there is now a great sense of relief that has swept across the country. “Here is a man that has been in power for six years but who has not done anything for the people. There was no electricity, no running water, the roads were washed out and the hospitals were completely empty. But yet, he had 2.5 billion dollars in his account. He had water and electricity for himself. Even most of the people that were fighting for him were not getting paid; just a few people who were close to him were living like princes and kings. The people are all relieved. We have great hope that peace will come because the people there have suffered for so long,” Gbayee said. Liberia¹s future is already starting to look up. During Taylor¹s reign, an embargo was put on Liberia. Taylor was not allowed to travel or negotiate with other countries because of their inherent distrust of him. Now that he is gone, donor countries have shown their support and aid to Liberia with little or no reserve. In order for Liberia to grow and thrive again, Mr. Gbayee went on to say, “First, it has to come from the people, they have to want peace for the peace plan to work. Secondly, the Liberians abroad must stimulate our people in the Black communities. Our Black leaders in Congress like Danny Davis, Jesse Jackson Jr., Bobby Rush and Dick Devine must be urged to do something.” It is a well-known fact that LIberia has a long-term relationship with the USA. Liberians were there to help America during World War I and World War II. They provided a base and the raw material that was needed. Liberia also provided the tower in which the CIA used to gather their intelligence information to aid in their strategic maneuvers. “We need America to help with peacekeeping efforts. America has an obligation to us because of the help we provided them when they needed it, and we want Bush to know that!” Mr. Gbayee said with conviction. Liberia, geographically, appears to be very far away from us in Chicago. But actually, the plight of Liberians is being felt right here in our own city. Chicago is home to over 4000 Liberians, and Minnesota is home to over 30,000 LIberians. Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Boston, and Rhode Island claim over 200,000 Liberians. An overall estimate of Liberians in this country is one-half million people. “Ninety percent of the Liberians here want to go back home,” Mr. Gbayee said, “They just want to make sure the security is there. Many of them are professionals that can create jobs for themselves and the people. There is nothing like home. When the plane lands and your feet touch the Liberian soil, you feel complete, you feel good. But nobody can do it for us, we have to do it ourselves. The Liberian community needs to organize itself to seek help to help our people back home.” Chicago has made efforts in the past to give assistance to Liberians here and at home. With funding given by Mr. Gbayee and Chicago State University, 25 scholarships were given to Liberian immigrants in Chicago. What is even more impressive is that all of those that received the scholarship went on to graduate and many are now doctors, lawyers and teachers. “During our crisis, we were able to send seven full containers of relief items, clothing, medicine, hospital supplies, books and so forth. A school just recently gave me a complete set of high school books. This weekend we are expecting 4000 more books as well. Through the churches and specifically operation PUSH, we just got five containers of medicine and hospital supplies. Now we are working on raising money to get all of these items shipped to Liberia.” Gbayee said. I was once told by a very wise man from Africa, “The only thing that makes us different is what we don¹t know about each other.” His words are forever etched in my memory, and hopefully upon reading this, it will become a part of yours as well. Yes, citizens of America do have an obligation to help relieve the plight of Liberia and its people. If the tables were turned, I¹m sure we would want help from anyone that can do so. In this case, a little can go a long way. To turn our backs to what is going on is to turn our backs on ourselves. Compassion is the key that will unlock many possibilities, and in one way or another, we will all benefit from it. Please call the Consul General, Alexander Gbayee at 773-643-8635 to be a part of the rebuilding process of a nation that is in dire need of your assistance. Call today. Sunnyside Home - The Earth Center Home