By Y. Bekele
Cambridge dictionary defines it as ‘the spreading of people from one original country to other countries.’ While MSN Encarta writes ‘scattering of language, culture, or people: a dispersion of a people, language, or culture that was formerly concentrated in one place.’ The word ‘Diaspora’ has become a common reference when talking about Ethiopians outside the ‘Home Land.’ I like it because it connotes that there is a place called ‘Home.’
The fall of the Emperor ushered a new era of dispersion of Ethiopians. Starting in later part of the seventies, every decade has shown an increase in the number of immigrants that have left the homeland. We left for both political and/or economic reasons.
We left by plane, by foot, as contract workers, as DV Visa holders, as asylum seekers students and government workers. We will never know how many perished in the jungles and deserts of Africa. We settled legally or illegally. We have become contributing members to our host countries. We are regarded highly by most of our friends and coworkers. We are proud people.
Here in the US we have settled in all 51 States. We have a wide variety of representation in many professions. In some municipality such as Washington DC, Los Angles, Seattle, we have carved out our own niche; represented by U Street, Little Ethiopia, and 12th.St. This shows our resourcefulness and how we are capable of coming together.
What is unique about us is that we cannot live without each other. When one travels the length and breath of this country, it will be impossible to find an Ethiopian alone. Our magnetic field is very strong.
On occasion we engage in self-flagellation. We complain about “Abesha this and Abesha that”, but at the very moment we are eating Kitfo in an Ethiopian establishment with our Ethiopian friends. We have been known to whine a lot.
The Diaspora dreams about home. The thought of going back home seems to be an essential part of living. We contribute a considerable amount by injecting much needed foreign currency into the economy. We have two weekly Ethiopian Airlines flights from Washington DC to Addis Ababa. The Diaspora spends millions for home construction, hotel expenses, assistance to family members, philanthropy and others. The Diaspora from North America, Africa, Europe, Australia or the Middle East consistently pours millions to help our country. The Diaspora where ever they may reside, love their country.
During the dark days of the Military Dictatorship the Diaspora was in disarray. Red terror was a dark moment in our history. ESUNA disintegrated, and EPRP was destroyed from within and without. The arrival of TPLF was welcomed. Some in the Diaspora uprooted and went home. It was a time of hope. The ‘Prague Spring’ was short lived. The new masters were just the other side of the same ugly coin.
Then it was time for the famous 2005 ‘General Election.’ Kinijit was a ray of light. We all said in unison ‘it is time to rebuild our country.’ Our hopes were quashed. The nightmare years are not over.
Aftermath of the election brought the well-documented massacre of July, and of November and imprisonment of all opposition party officials, active members, Civic leaders, Journalists and Human Right advocates. Zuwai, Sendafa, Bir Shelko, Dedessa, Shoa Robit, and Kolfe will live in infamy.
Following our rich tradition, we in the Diaspora rose up and spoke for our people. Support Chapters were formed in every continent. Marches were organized in every major city on the planet. Cape Town, Paris, Stockholm, Oslo, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Geneva, Washington DC, Dallas, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Denver, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angles, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver BC, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Melbourne, Perth, and Tel Aviv, among many. We marched in the rain, we marched during a snowstorm, we marched in scorching sun and we had ‘Candle Light Vigils’ in front of every State House including the ‘White House.’
Due to the untiring effort of so may in the Diaspora, we were able to convince the US House of Representative to introduce a bill in support of our struggle for Democracy, The Rule of Law and Basic Human Rights in our homeland. This is a monumental achievement. Our European brothers and sisters were successful in getting the ‘European Parliament’ to pass a very strong resolution on our behalf.
All this victory came at a cost. Since the incarceration of the popularly elected leaders and other peace loving citizens the Diaspora is struggling to find a common voice. There have seen upheavals in the different organizations trying to define aims and objectives. It is a normal outcome of human associations. As varied as our background is our solutions will be varied too. We are in the process of forming democratic organization from the grass root level. Our culture is based on central authority. It is natural the two will clash.
The ‘Kinijit North America Support Organizations’ (KNAASO) are seventeen Chapters strong. They are based on the equality of chapters, Sovereignty of chapters and the rule of law. They are models of associations the future will be built on. There are people organized under EPRP, Hibret is represented in many States. OLF is a strong Organization with many branches. Civic organizations like “The Ethiopian America Civic Advocacy (http://www.eacamoveon.com/our_mission.php) and Coalition for HR 2003 (http://www.hr2003.org) are different avenues of participation for the Diaspora.
What ever association we belong to, we feel we are working to bring about change in our country. We still have not developed the tolerance necessary to work as one. But these are formative years. What matters is that we get involved and do what we believe is right and proper. Despite our constant bickering and endless recriminations we are showing progress and results. We should also remember that we are faced with a very cunning and rich adversary. The ‘gang in power’ has elevated the use of terror, disinformation, bribery and cooption unto an art form. In the short run they create havoc in our midst, but time is their enemy. As we look closer those who mislead, those who lie, those who have a personal agenda are exposed for what they are. Just like their master the ‘Woyane’ regime, the whole world will see them naked and shameless. Talk democracy but practice autocracy that is their motto.
Le us pledge to magnify our strength. Our shortcomings are many, but our achievements are something to be proud of. In an ideal world we will all march together to oppose tyranny and injustice. We will all speak in one voice. May be someday. Change of mind and character is an evolutionary process. Tolerance and respect for the opinion of others even when we do not agree is acquired not woven into our genetic makeup. As the Jews say during their Passover dinner “L’shanah haba’ah biyerushalayim — Next Year in Jerusalem.” It is an expression of hope fulfilling their dream of being a free people in their own land. I say to you ‘yememetaw amet be agerachin.’
We all have one goal, which is to see a free, democratic Ethiopia. We are on the right path. We shall win.