(Don’t laugh. This is not a joke.)
PRESS RELEASE
Illinois Wesleyan University
Scholar At Risk Joins Faculty
BLOOMINGTON, Ill.— When militaries overrun governments and dictators rise to power, it is most often the universities and centers of learning that are the first to become targets, said Taye Woldesmiate, visiting associate professor of political science at Illinois Wesleyan University. “Education is key to any democratic process. Education leads to questions and to knowing your rights. Autocrats are always against education. It is their way of defending their powers.”
Woldesmiate should know. He spent six years in an Ethiopian prison after speaking out openly against the government, and now comes to Illinois Wesleyan as a Scholar at Risk (SAR). “Any armed group who comes to power is not going to give it up with an election,” said Woldesmiate, who joined the IWU faculty this fall as a visiting professor. “They can always try to come back with a bogus election, but an educated electorate will refuse that. That is why autocrats are afraid of education.”
Illinois Wesleyan is a founding member of the Scholars at Risk Network, an international group of over 80 colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world that promotes academic freedom and defends the human rights of scholars worldwide. Scholars at Risk institutions provide sanctuary for persecuted educators, such as Woldesmiate, by hosting them as visiting professors, lecturers, researchers or students.
Woldesmiate always knew he wanted to be a teacher, and studied in Ethiopia. Through a government exchange program, he came to the United States and Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., where he earned his degrees in political science – a bachelor’s degree in 1982 and master’s degree in 1984. It was in Normal that Woldesmiate forged the connections that would later help save his life. “I stayed in the International House at ISU, and suddenly I knew people from 107 different countries,” said Woldesmiate. “It was here I learned the importance of understanding other cultures. We learn through opening our minds to others.”
After earning his doctorate in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia, he decided to return to Ethiopia. “The government had paid for me to go to school, so I felt I owed them. I wanted to give back,” said Woldesmiate, who joined the Ethiopian Teachers Association, and soon became president of the group with more than 150,000 members. He taught for several years, and then the Addis Ababa government came to power. “Many teachers were fired, and threatened with imprisonment. I became a target, especially with my background of a Western education,” he said.
Woldesmiate said he received warnings to not speak against the government, but that was not his way. “I was an activist, and the head of an organization under fire. I was given many warnings, but I did not listen,” said Woldesmiate. “I was spoiled here in America, knowing what it means to speak out.”
In 1996, Woldesmiate traveled to Germany for the conference of the International Teacher’s Union. While there, the Addis Ababa government began a trial to convict him in absentia of terrorism and armed conspiracy. “That was my signal to stay in exile,” said Woldesmiate, “But I refused. I told people, ‘I am innocent. I have done nothing wrong. I will not be treated like a criminal.’” Upon his return to Ethiopia, he was arrested. “The trial was a joke,” he said. “They showed one automatic weapon, saying it was mine. That was their evidence that I was a terrorist. I laughed and asked the judge, ‘Ethiopia has the second largest army in Africa. Do you think one machine gun will overthrow it?” Woldesmiate said the judge could not even look at him. “He had no power. He knew what was right, but also knew what the government had already decided.” Found guilty, Woldesmiate was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The first four months he served in solitary confinement and for three years he was shackled 24 hours a day, spending much of his time in darkness.
Outside the walls of the prison prison, the world was taking notice. Immediately, his contacts in the International Teacher’s Union began to protest his imprisonment. His former International House classmates from ISU also joined the fight all over the world. In 1989, Amnesty International took on his case. “When Amnesty took notice, that is when I was moved to a place where there was more light, and I could read books again,” said Woldesmiate. His case even gained the attention of Capitol Hill, where 82 Congressmen signed a partition for his release. “Never underestimate what people can do when they work together for good.” Even with international pressure, it wasn’t until 2002 that Woldesmiate was freed.
Now, in his classrooms at Illinois Wesleyan, Woldesmiate tries to convey more than his personal struggle, but the message of hope his story conveys. “Education is a human right, not a luxury or a privilege,” said Woldesmiate. “It is vital to the development of a society. Governments may be cruel and unjust, but it is people who can make the difference, and an educated people who can make it right.”
Contact: Rachel Hatch, (309) 556-3960
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Taye should have joined the university as a student, because in the past few months he proved himself to be politically donkoro (illiterate). His ignorance and arrogance has caused a lot of pain.
23 thoughts on “Taye joins a university in Illinois as a visiting professor”
HHHHHHHHHHHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Elias are you one single person or you guys are a group of peopel behind you .you are funny and serious you are everything…it is amaizing.
ethio: didn’t elias say this is no joke!
Ato Elias, thank you for posting Rachel Hatch’s article on Dr. Taye Woldesemayat.
Ethiopia is lucky to have such a dedicated person. Dr. Taye has proved time and again that he is a man of his words. Dr. Taye, keep up the good job.
-tsehay
I wish Hailu Shawel leaves CUD too. I shall never
vote for a party whose leader is Hailu Shawel, not even for
my favorite CUD.
He is out of touch with modern Ethiopia.
I hate to listen his interviews.
You are right, Elias.
Abraham Yaye and Dr. Taye always want to be heard more than they deserve. Thier desire and ambition is the same and clear. I do not think that they get it.
Congratulations Dr Taye Woldesmiate.
Dear Dr. Taye -I am trilled to hear that you have been accepted as a visiting professor at the Illinois Wesleyan University. It is a remarkable for a given individual with a Doctoral Degree yet, behaving as kindergarten kids in Ethiopian political stage finally understood that he need to revisit to a university to refresh his lost memory.
Dear Dr Taye
As a young boy, I was a firm believer that education can shape a human thinking capacity for better society.Yet, despite my childhood wishful thinking, you proved me wrong that a person with a Doctoral Degree can be just as ignorant and illiterate to the point he is capable of betraying his country men in times of danger.
Dear Dr. Taye
I am not good in comparing & contrasting two shameless individuals. But if I were to compare two famously corrupted individuals who are in the same political cartoon called KIC; thus Dr. Taye Woldesmiate vs. Shaleka Yoesph( a high school graduate over 40 years a go), Shaleka Yoseph is by far smarter than Dr. Taye Woldesmiate. Because Shaleka Yoseph proved that he is a professional crook for he has ability to convince Dr. Taye to be utilized as front man puppet and to conduct the KIC political stunt.
Ayyee Hagere Ethiopian- Eski Yehun……..
Elias ,
I don’t like what Dr Taye did and still doing , but please let’s have some respect for him also let’s address him as a Dr. I don’t think calling names will do any thing for us .let’s be positive , work together for the sake of our people who died for freedom and Democracy .
Long live Ethiopia
I stripped off your PhD title as you do not deserve it. So let me call you Ato Taye, congratulations for your accptance as a refuge (I read it from the uni news posted) at university in Illinois but i am afraid you may try a coup to be an academic president of the university with the support of Shaleqa. Ato Taye I am happy that you escaped before shaleqa shoot you one day when you get back your lost brain.
At the end dr taye got his place to accomadate his self. He has betrayed ETA, an entire ethiopia’s ppl and ethiopia by associating him self with EPRP and has done all the worst to dismantle kinijit in diaspora. The formation of “KIC” Implies his evile action against ethiopia’s ppl interst .
Thank God, I am happy for him. Now that he has a job to keep him busy and keep him far away from Washington D.C., the political interference in CUDP will be less if not disappear.
1. Gizachew says “He is out of touch with modern Ethiopia.
I hate to listen his interviews.”
well, bro yesterday’s Engineer Shawel ‘s interview was well-expressed except the spoiler phrase “ EYEZORU NEW” I can’t help, but laughing with this out of place expression. Maybe it has a different meaning in Ameharic language translation than what I perceived it to be. Otherwise, that specific comment will definitely offend lots of pro KINIJIT supporters.
Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Talk about senior citizen moments HEHEHEHE they did say that Dementia & Organic brain syndrome does comes with age. cheer!
Do not trust Taye and his cohorts – this is to create some diversions.
Classes are open and students are enrolled and what do you call Taye’s new class? “My Ups and Downs in Kinijit XXX” and the will be students are yoseph yazew – andach yiyazewina. dr solomon – yetemare mehayim. biruk manew? – lela leba na mehayim.
This is a set up and a political intrigue by Shaleqa.
He better go down to MN and baby seat the defunct leader who could not be able to respond to Addisu’s question.
Lebochin Atimenu – Tayem Leba newna.
Ayni
He is the most selfish person I ever saw. He should have done this long time ago with dignity. But it is sad that he saved himself after he made all the messes in KINIJIT with the Shaleqa gangs. He should have played a “shimglina” role in the support groups’ conflict. But he puts more fire on it and when he realized that KIC has no future, he saved himself. Atleast it is good that he left KINIJIT. Good luck Dr. Taye, please leave the Ethiopians struggle for Ethiopians until you realized what it really means for us.
What does moderation means? send your answer to [email protected]
taye ,shalekas group and the desperate EPRPs will be exposed with in one weeks from today.we will see…
To get a visiting position at Illinois Weslyan University, Taye has to lie through his teeth and tell all this crap to his employers. What a scam.
I can understand where you are coming; however, we have to respect Dr. Taye’s personal success–the kind of the news report. When it is a political news report, then we should react to it accordingly. Otherwise, we will be pulling each other down. I don’t think this will help any of our causes.
Good Luck Dr. Taye.I wish you the best success in your carrier.I hope you will never forget your mother land Ethiopia.
Congrats Ethiopians. One down two to go.Lets just hope he is not coming bace.
Emperor Hailu has lost the techinque of playing his card. His interview on VOA was just funny. “airport metaw lemine altekeblugnemmm, eyezoru naww…” It is really a big shame not only for him but also for all his supporters and the party at large. Just tired of him!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elias,
Truth and patriotism is what the overwhelming number of Ethiopians want. You deserve credit for your fearless positive contribution in that regard.
Elias, even though I don’t agree with some of your divide and rule writings and ideas, You are ok. We can agree to disagree.
Sometimes I forget where I come from. What kind people are we? What kind intellectuals do we have? What kind generation do we nurture/bread? My goodness!, don’t we have respect for one another? for our fellow brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers? Why can’t we disagree without cursing and naming people? I believe, all EPRPS are not bad, as a matter of fact, if I remember correctly, they died for Giziwi, Democraciawi hizbawi, Mengist/astedader. Of course, I was here in America at college, I was not part of it. And I believe, All Ethiopians, EPRPS, MESONS, EDUS,ETC. and Other Organizations, even some Dergists, have shade their blood for the betterment of Ethiopian People. And Taye has paid his dues, how many of you paid your dues? Elias, Have you paid your dues for Ethiopian people execpt this info media for us to kill one-another in words. Let us think, that, “pen is mightier than swords”. Remember guys this is America where you can express your openions without prejudice, not curses. We are living in the 21st century or 2000 Ethiopian Millinuem. Please Young and Old Generation be civil. Let us criticize each other with honor and dignity without cursing and name-calling. People laugh at us, and some of my friends ask me what kind people we are. We curse too much. Thank you for the forum, Elias.
what is this bloody liar going to teach to usa’s universty’s students? about ” eduction is a key for democratic proccess” does he have any idea what does it mean by democracy? this power monger and eprp’s agent will be exposed infront of his students any time how he became a leader of “KIC’?