Monday, April 12th, 2010
by Teddy Fikre

I have been a part of many initiatives in my life, I have marched for freedom and democracy when I was a teenager, I have tried my best to organize Ethiopians for the 2008 elections, I have boycotted Starbucks because of unfair practices in Ethiopia.  Out of all those things, there is one thing that stands out more than most, and that is being a part of a fan page called “United Apart: Ethiopians and Eritreans”.

I can state a thousand reasons why this is so, but let me share with you the main reason.  I can do so with one word, that word is DIALOGUE.  The United Apart facebook group has—in one short month—has garnered over 1,000 Ethiopians and Eritreans.  The dialogue that is taking place in this fan page is truly profound.  The fan page is not a kumbaya site where people get along to get along.  On the contrary some of the most profound conversations are centered on centuries old grudges that have kept Ethiopians and Eritreans divided and at a state of perpetual war.

These issues range from past injustices to present day ideological agendas that are sown by “leaders” to keep people in a constant state of mistrust and fear.  Issues that range from the battle of Adwa to more current issues such as the expelling of Eritreans from Ethiopia and the bombing of the school in Mekele provide a platform where heated discussions are exchanged followed by a rational understanding on both sides.  I am not sure if there is another site that one can go to where Ethiopians apologized for the pain and suffering that Eritreans endured as they were evicted from Ethiopia and Eritreans apologized for the pain and suffering that was caused by the bombing of the school in Mekele.

Facebook surpassed Google recently as the number one website in the world.  Thus, this amazing website provides a platform where thousands of Ethiopians and Eritreans can exchange a dialogue.  This is the power that is behind United Apart, the ability to break through the loud noise that is created by the “lynch mob” on both sides who want to continue to spread hatred and misunderstanding is provided by thousands of people who think rationally.  Some would label this dialogue nothing but idle chit chat, I see something profound taking place.  I see people who never met before coming together at one location and discussing matters that are painful and better left unsaid.

The thing is, things gone unsaid have an ability to impact us nonetheless.  When a child dies in Eritrea or a mother goes without eating in Ethiopia, it is an injustice that impacts both countries.  When hatred is advocated, it is not the sons and daughters of those hate mongers who die while bullets are being exchanged.  For the most part, those who advocate mistrust live in an ivory tower, whether that ivory tower is in Addis, Asmera, or America, they never get to feel the pain that is caused by their hateful rhetoric.  I believe that there is a silent majority who does not accept the message of odium that is being spread by most “leaders”.  But the silent majority is kept silent precisely because of the power that the lynch mob uses.  By labeling people traitors, woyanes, agame, or any other word of hate, the lynch mob is able to cow people into fear.  Why speak up for understanding when you will be labeled the most vicious names and have a burning scarlet letter placed on your chest.

United Apart is a platform for people to come and express their opinions without fear of that scarlet letter.  In due time, as more and more people join, they will realize that the silent majority has a megaphone that can drown out the hate of people that would attempt to silent them into submission.  That is the profound power of United Apart, what starts as idle chit chat transforms into a movement when enough people stand behind the message.  I highly encourage you to join the dialogue, and you will see just how profound the dialogue is.  You will see that your voice will join the voices of cooperation and unity even while we respect our differences.  In due time, both Ethiopia and Eritrea can move towards a day where we stop exchanging bullets and start exchanging ideas instead.  When that day arrives, both countries will be profoundly changed.

Ethiopian-Americans for Change has started a dialogue on Facebook where Ethiopians and Eritreans join and start a dialogue.  Though at times the dialogue can get very heated, more and more people who thought they were enemies are walking away gaining a new Ethiopian or Eritrean friend.  Be a part of this profound dialogue, click below to join the facebook page and start a dialogue.

click to join fanpage

This blog submission was written by Teddy Fikre.  The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change.  Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community.