Miazziya 27 is the day of victory for Ethiopians. It was a time where they refused to give their hands for the invading fascist force and fought till the end. It is a time where Ethiopian patriots fought courageously the well armored fascist forces. Despite all the ethnic or cultural differences, Ethiopians have fought their common enemy with the spirit of oneness.
Those five years of fierce full struggles are manifestations unity and a symbol that Ethiopians will not compromise with their freedom, says Ethiopian Patriots Association Deputy President, Amb. Alemayehu Abebe.
According to him, the courage and decisiveness of those Ethiopian patriots is a clear message to this generation to stand by the side of peace.
This is 21st century where the old patriotism is replaced with modern ways. It is a time where people show their love to motherland in various forms. Contributing for economic and political transition is one of the manifestations of modern patriotism.
“We shall bring economic change. We shall shift century old ox ploughing system with modern technology. This is 21st century. We shall feed ourselves by prioritizing peace and tolerance instead of hatred and violence. We shall not be people of word. We shall work hard. We talk a lot but we don’t work that much. We shall reverse this trend.”
According to him, The existing system is showing commitment for peace and economic transformation. Using all the opportunity, the Abiy administration is trying all its best for the sake of renaissance and tolerance.
Our forefathers have fought courageously without thinking the issue of ethnicity even for second. This is the reason behind their victory. This generation has to learn a lot from them. Face book and other social medias should not be an instrument to stir our tolerance.
Seconding the idea of Ambassador Alemayehu, scholars said that creating conducive political environment for others is one of the manifestation of modern patriotism in this era.
This is an era where patriotism is expressing itself in a modern way. Unlike the previous times where shading one’s blood to the nation as the only way of showing love to the nation, it is the time where patriotism is expressing itself in various forms. It is the era where ideas fight with idea. It is the era where strong toughs conquer the weakest one. It is the era where modern patriots express their love to mother land in various ways. Peaceful transition of power and willingness to scarify one’s interest for the sake of democracy is one of manifestation of modern patriotism.
In a country that had been torn by civil war guns are not answers to address public issues. Rather, peaceful dialogues and discussions are ways towards building peaceful dialogue.
The late President, Dr. Negasso Gidada was an iconic in Ethiopian history in this regard. Though, paths were full of challenges and obstacles, there were no time Negasso refrain from fighting for peaceful Ethiopia in a peaceful and democratic ways.
In times where most of his colleague’s mind was obsessed with warmongering, Dr. Negasso was applying modern weapon-dialogue and peaceful discussion. In times where everyone was thinking guns are the way, Dr. Negasso was thinking ideas are the best ways towards building the new Ethiopia.
Today, Ethiopians are celebrating their day of Victory and also mourning for their late president Dr. Negasso Gidada who served his country from 1995-2001. Dr. Negasso Gidada is always remembered in Ethiopian politics for his zeal of democracy and boldness in expressing his political stand with out fear.
Dr. Negasso Gidada is among modern Ethiopian patriots who showed unreserved effort for democratization. Though most African politicians, including Ethiopians, use their political posts as a way to accumulate wealth Negasso has gave up all the fortune for the sake of democracy. That is why he was leading an ordinary life.
Like most African countries there is also a trend in Ethiopia that leaving political post for the sake of democracy is considered as something “illegal”. However, Dr. Negasso has reversed this legacy.
Negasso was a true Ethiopian patriot who boldly reflect his vision to Ethiopia. As it is well documented in his book, the late president had a vision to see a land of democracy where people freely enjoy their constitutional rights.
“….My vision is to see a free Ethiopia where people enjoy their democratic rights. I have a dream of seeing a land where human and democratic-rights are respected and their sovereign rights are protected. It is my vision to see Ethiopia a land where people can freely practice their language and access to all social benefits equally….”
Modern patriotism has several manifestations. The willingness to scarify one’s interest to the people is one of its manifestation. No matter what the consequence is individuals are showing their love to their motherland. The new Ethiopia needs such patriots who are willing to die for truth and democracy.
The Ethiopian Herald May 04/ 2011
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
