Liberians like to think in
terms of extreme opposites. They are given to formulating their socioeconomic,
political and religious beliefs in terms of “Either-Ors.” They recognize no
intermediate possibilities. When forced to recognize that the extremes cannot
be acted upon, they still are inclined to hold that they are all right in
theory. But when it comes to practical matters, circumstances, very seldom,
compel them to compromise.
In disputes, misunderstandings
and separation of people, in Liberia, it is either one way or the other; either
you are a friend or an enemy; either you are “right” or “wrong”; either you are
“progressive” or “reactionary”; either you are “civilized” or you are
“country”’ either you are Congau or native. Or
either-you-are-for-me-or-you-are-against-me.
Apparently, that’s why there
is no middle class. Because you are either darn poor or darn rich. Either you
are one of the “haves” or “have-nots.” Academically, either you are highly
educated or you are darn illiterate. Religiously, you are either a Christian or
a “heathen.”
Such a practice continues to
place the Liberian nation on the “cutting edge.”
In the Church, the
congregation is either with the priest or out of the church. Anyone who
criticizes the bishop, is an “enemy” to the Church. If you question “creation,”
you’re a “pagan.” In the family, there are those with “nice” hair and others
with “nappy” hair; light skin and dark skin; educated and illiterates. Those
born in wedlock and out of wedlock. And the competition goes on. The same
applies to the state – there are those who feel “entitled” and those who are
not; and there are those who feel more “qualified.” Criticize a President, and
you are an “enemy” to the state.
The “Either-Or” situation
reigns supreme. Everyone must take sides. No one should be neutral. For to be
neutral provokes distaste and immeasurable pains. Because neutrality is treated
with contempt and suspicion. Once you take a side in a dispute, you are
required to defend it, no matter what. You have to have a tunnel-vision,
irrespective of evidence in the contrary. Once you choose a side, it is your
side and it is always “right” and the other side is always “wrong.” But if you
have a change of mind on a particular issue, you have to jump over to the
opposite side, not in the middle; By jumping over to the opposite side, you win
respect from both sides of the dispute. Because neutrality provokes vengeance
from both sides. And it is considered a “sell-out” or indecisiveness!
This “Either-Or” concept has
been around for quite some time. I’m not sure how long. But I know for sure it
is a tendency that is destroying the Liberian society.
During the 1979 rice riot,
people took sides. The line between the “for” and the “against” was sharp.
Those who supported the forceful removal of the government stood their ground.
And those in opposition did the same. After the violent overthrow of the
government on April 12, 1980, the “fors” stormed the streets and made their
position clear. The “against” were forced to hibernate. Due to the lack of no
compromise, national matters degenerated into a generalized anarchy of
violence. And everyone indiscriminately paid a dear price, irrespective of the
side he or she was on.
In 1995 the first “All
Liberian Conference” convened in Atlanta, Georgia. The second convened in 2004.
Both conferences exhibited the “Either-Or” tendency. Two groups emerged: those
in favor of dissolving The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas’
(ULAA) and those oppose to the dissolution. Both groups refused to compromise.
None moved to the center. Each remained in the extreme. In the end, both groups
failed on every count. But it didn’t matter to them whether or not they failed;
what mattered to them was to keep their supporters on their side without
allowing any of them to move towards the center for a fruitful compromise.
Some Liberians call this
tendency, keeping “principles.” I call it keeping barring “principles” and
sacrificing the future and lives of innocent people for no reason other than
stupidity.
In all of these cases,
Liberians take sides not because they believe the side they take is right or
that the issue that defines their sides, is correct. But they do so because, it
is customary; in any dispute in Liberian communities, people have to take sides
in order to prove their allegiance to their friends, coworkers, relatives,
tribal colleagues, ideology, &c.
As I write, seemingly it is
the President of the Republic versus the Speaker of The House – Ellen &
Edwin. Both are seemingly locking horns, politically. At least, that’s what we
are being told. So Liberians are taking sides. Edwin’s supporters believe
Ellen’s desire is to remove Edwin as speaker. And Ellen’s supporters believe,
Edwin’s desire is to remove Ellen as President. Right in there, there is no
middle ground and no moral center. Both supporters are clashing from the left
to the right without recognizing any intermediate possibilities for a fruitful
compromise.
No one dares to create a
political center of gravity. Because, this is the Liberian “way”- everybody
must take sides. Otherwise, if the “gravy train” arrives on either side and one
is not a part, he or she is bound to be left in the “cold.” And no one wishes to be in the “cold.”
Today, The Liberian House of
Representatives is split. One part sits in one city, and the other part in
another city. From there, proverbial stones and inflammatory rhetoric are
flying across town. The saddest thing is, their constituents have no part to
play in these decisions. Because everything is personal. Either you are for the
Speaker or you are against the Speaker. Simply put, “Romeo” must die!
Looking at things from this
distance, the “Either-Or” concept is gradually eating up the fabric of our
country. Unless we learn to develop a political center of gravity, where we can
converged to compromise and reconcile our differences, we are doomed to perish
in the relics of backwardness!
I am Thomas G. Bedell, a
volunteer worker; working and speaking on the ground in Liberia and a victim of
police brutality.
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