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Ignored and isolated

By Yilma Bekele


When they said “a picture speaks a thousand words” they could have been thinking about this one. The setting definitely is a reception. The people sitting around the table appear very important since there appear to be as many servers as guests. In addition to this we see many photographers documenting the event. It is difficult to determine if this is the beginning or the end of the event. Whatever it is, it is a very lavish and formal affair.

A person sitting right around the center is the only one wearing some kind of head covering, which would lead us to assume that he is from the Middle East. Further down you can see the lone woman. Other than that, it is a mainly a men’s affair. One can also assume that it is a formal event since the men are wearing dark suits. The majority of them seem to be white.

Let’s examine the person on the bottom left. He seems lonely, left out, or sad? He is definitely brooding about something. If you look around, you will notice that those in front of him as well as those on his right are engaged in deep conversation. The man on his left has given him his shoulder.

Who is he? What is he doing here? How come he is not engaged with anyone? Why is everyone ignoring him? If they did not want him there, why was he invited?

He definitely does not appear comfortable. You can tell that from his stiff shoulders and his general posture. His hands are clasped in a prayer position. He is probably not praying, but he is definitely in deep thought. It is difficult to tell how long he has been sitting ignored and isolated. Why didn’t the host find him a partner? He is not smiling, and his somber look conveys he is not enjoying the moment.

Why is he there if he is not comfortable; and why was he invited if he is not part of the group? Could there have been some mix up? Could he have been drafted at the last moment? Was he warned about the cold shoulder he might encounter? Did he send a scouting party to assess the situation? Did they lie to him to embarrass him? Was this calculated risk that blew up in his face? Could it be that he is not able to engage with the others as an equal?

It does not look like a good situation for our friend sitting at the bottom left. It can be considered a form of psychological torture to invite someone to such a dinner and ignore him. At the same time, it is not a good idea to crash a party where one is not welcome. Maybe our friend is praying for the party to be over. Maybe there is nothing here. Yeah right the picture is lying.

15 thoughts on “Ignored and isolated

  1. Afica’s Smart Ass in picture. How can any one respect you when your own people who you claim to represent despise you and mistrust your leadership. Immagine if Haile Selassie, Kuame Nukurma or Gama Abdul Nasir was to appear in such gaehering, he would have attracted the center of attention, because they were true leaders but not a fake ones put and supported by others. Africa is starving for a true genuine leaders. Let us pray God grant mercy to African children and rise a true honest leader to lead and represent her.

  2. As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousands of words”, A- he looks like he is in his own world, B- beggin some one talk to him, C- scared to death, D- ashamed, and more

  3. It was not only in this picture,If one can follow all videos of the meeting,tea and coffee ceremony in the queen palace and other,He was totally isolated from the groups throughout the whole day.

    I would hang my self If I were him!!

    Shame!!

  4. Most of the leader doesn’t face melese because they can’t withstand the light reflected from his bold, and human right abuse deep rooted in his mind.Melata askeyami Monkey

  5. President Obama is removing toxic accounts from troubled US Banks’ balance sheets. He should do the same by removing toxic rulers from power. One of the most rotten and toxic ruler is the butcher of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi.

  6. Tewodros(#10)Obama is not going to do it for you brother,you have to do it for yourself.This is the problem with the rest of the Ethiopians:They just sit on their hands and they want the others to do the heavy lifting.Join the ONLF and the Ogadenis so we can free ourselves from Meles and his TPLF.We,the Ogadenis are very disappointed with your inaction(loud protest won`t cut it) in the face of Meles` brutality.

  7. WORADAWna WOROBELAW Zenawi GUDFELABET.The next step is to arrest him for the crimes he has committed against humanity in Ethiopia and other neighbouring countries. We have to work very hard to carry out this so as to teach other criminals a lesson too.

    Kebede

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