It’s nice hearing from you after quite a while. I thought they might have sent you to space or something; just joking. I hope the matters you said tied you up will soon be resolved. This is indeed a messy world, isn’t it? The thing you said about not always having good night sleeps, I sensed it more than once. I said to myself something must be bothering him. In fact if no one already told you that when you aren’t feeling good inside it shows on your face I’m telling you now. During your darker hours your face is an open book. Of course, I can’t tell what really is plucking away at your nerves. I’m not a prophet, though I know these days being one is the shortest way to riches and fame. (Maybe I’ve to dog through YouTube archives if any ‘prophet’ has said anything about Ukraine! A very sad situation, indeed!)
Now, I can’t be the voice of those you met in those Ethiopian restaurants. I can’t get into their minds and try to decipher what they really are thinking. But animosity is a little too harsh a word.
About people not differentiating between politicians and the people in the streets, with all due respect I chose to differ on that point. Maybe at one time, during the earlier days of the conflict, that might have been the case. But that for the most part has changed. If you’ve noticed social media posts most people directly point their finger at the people on The Hill and in the White House. They name those whom they say are playing the major roles. What more do you want? As the picture became clearer and people saw the ‘actors’ for what they are any misconceptions these matter has just evaporated. I’m sorry that you’ve failed to recognize this fact.
Don’t take it personal, but I’ve to say I was a little amazed reading about your feelings after all the talk we have had. It’s like you have been reborn with the brains and heart of someone else.
Ok, let’s talk about that recent bill in congress you mentioned. I have to admit it has taken us all aback. That was the last thing we expected given the changing situations of the whole scenario. You said you don’t yet know the specifics. But it’s my belief that even if you knew them nothing would have changed. By saying the recent bill on my country was like any other bill you have endorsed it even while not knowing about the harm meant for a hundred twenty-plus million people. You said they represent millions. Nice for your ABC in democracy! But can you tell me how many of the millions wanted their councilmen and women to bring more harm on Ethiopians who’re only trying to ensure the territorial integrity of their nation? Can you tell me how many of the millions really know about a country named Ethiopia? Can you tell me with, in your own words a thousand and one internal problems why are the ‘elected’ officials messing with the internal affairs of countries far weaker than theirs?
When things seem to be somewhat taking a different directions when even your politicians were saying there was better chances to resolve the situation why was this sledgehammer-politics of sanctions and more sanctions necessary? Aren’t those unjustified and already in place more than enough? What do those people gain by bringing more suffering to millions of more Ethiopians for absolutely no reason! Even with governments and politicians that didn’t have nicer words for us for the past many months were voicing their new round of aggression on Afar region by organization designated as terrorist by House of People’s Representatives they have written yet another bill!
Given all this facts can you blame Ethiopians for being bitter and rushing to conclusions that those politicians will never let us go whatever we do? I’ve a confession to make here. I know you might throw up your arms and say, “You, too?” And my answer would be, “Yes, me too!” For once I too felt that there really were powers over there which are out to destroy my country; Powers which seem to have been calling the shots all through preventing the conflict from being solved earlier with justice, and I mean real justice prevailing. Am I wrong to think as such? No, I’m not! Such inhuman acts leave you no room to think maybe there is some meat somewhere on that skeleton of destruction. Come on, my friend; no one on their right minds just comes up with a bill so notoriously ill-willed out of the blue.
Not that I expect that you’ll let go your ways any time soon.
I hope I’m not sounding more and more like I’m brandishing some toy gun or something equally unpleasant at you. But if I let this pass without saying anything, it’d surely come back to haunt me. I just couldn’t hang on to some of the things you said, like hatred overtaking us. How can you say that? After all the patience after all the gentlemanly response of tens of millions of Ethiopians how can you include the term ‘hate’ in the same sentence we appear in! What made you turn around so abruptly and would you be kind enough to tell me how all of a sudden white became black and vice versa for you?
Ephrem Endale: Contributer
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 27 FEBRUARY 2022