I strongly believe the Genesis of the Liberian national "problem" lies in the people. Not just the leaders of the country! Liberians have crticized all their leaders and relegated them to a secondary position as far back as I can remember from my childhood days! Liberian critics who criticize Liberian leaders have always believed that by getting rid of those they consider as "bad" leaders, (killing or disgracing them physically) the next ones that replace the "bad" leaders, will turn out to be better! Right? Wrong! The opposite has always been true! And history attests to that replete with rebuffs and dissapointments in this specific sense!
Worse of all, those who are strong critics of "bad" leaders in Liberia, turned out to be worse then the "bad" leaders that they criticize. Because, as soon as they replace the "bad" leaders in the same leadership position they've crticized, they, in turn become "bad" leaders too! Among those Liberians who are critics of Liberian leaders, there are some with terminal degrees. That means, they're highly educated academically speaking. One would think that by that standard, Liberia would enjoy an educational renassaince! But those academically ones also end as low grade thinkers! Consequently, this trend of thinking and the vicious circle to replace "bad" leaders, who are expected to hopefully be "good" leaders, end up being "bad" leaders! This goes on and on with no hope and relieve in site! Thus, the nation goes from square one to square zero! From worse to ridiculous!
The people, (I make specific mention of those in the general population sector), are also guilty of this practice! They too, exercise no personal initiative in the country. Along with the critics plus the leaders, they all are not honest to themselves nor to the nation They also expect Govt to do everything for them - build a welfare state! So they just sit on their hands complaining. In this posture, make no positive contribution for the development of the State! On beer tables, they philosohize the issues! Thus, being hypocritical!
The youth violence in Liberia under all considerations, can be completely curtailed! Initially, it can be done by some of our Diaspora experts. Because, some of them have the "ways" and some have the "means"! So, when they combine both (ways & means), surely, they can return to Liberia in Exodus to help educate the youths who lack trust in their leaders. If they're educated, they will no more lay-waste the nation.
Those Diaspora experts, in my personal opinion, could also assist with leadership training. Because, some of the leaders in Liberia have taken leadership roles without having a clue of what is required of them. They also lack a sense of the essence of leadership! It's all about the "show must continue! Ostentation!
Some Diaspora citizens and community organizations, in this respect, can embark upon social programs in the country! Such programs can be geared towards redeveloping hope for our young people and our leaders.
Sadly indeed, most of the Liberian organizations in the Diaspora have no visible presence on the ground in Liberia! Simply put, they have no contact on the ground to embark upon anything meaningful programs and/or projects! So, they are considered lost! To add to the injury, none of them wants to return home to help in the rebuilding process of a broken-down nation as individuals. But they will sit in the distance and criticize uncondtructively! Preferably, they will sit in the proverbial Ivory tower shouting slogans and criticizing vainly! No matter whatever good happens in the country, they still remain bitter critics of leaders who are already posted on the ground. But they make not a single contribution to help change the already dull reality. Intransigence?!
In the William Shakespeare's story, captioned, "Julius Ceasar," something similar to the Liberian view of life happened. For example, Brutus, a good friend of Julius Ceasar complained that all the bad things that were happening to Rome came from "bad luck" or shall we say, "in their stars" or what other would refer to as, God's plan for life to be what it was! But Cassius disagreed with Brutus and said, "No, dear Brutus, the fault is not in our stars, it's in ourselves"!
From the Liberian experience, the problem in our country is not in our leaders alone! Some tend to think so! But we say no! It is clearly visible in the people! Until they (the people) decide to change for the better or the best, the country will still remain stagnant! Until change takes hold in the attitude and mentality of the people and group - individuals, clubs, associations, family, church &c. - nothin will change! In lieu of that, the people will need to practice trustworthiness, sincerity, collective purpose and responsibility! That's fundamental!
Otherwise, any Liberian can say what he likes and do what he may, the truth is, Liberia will be doomed to infamy!
T. Gbuo-Mle Bedell
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