I don’t know where it comes from but maybe he has seen my interest in writing or maybe he has seen me giving ideas on different issues. My friend once posed a question I never expected to be asked. He asked me : “Why don’t be an activist?” I was silent for a brief recognizeable time. I never thought about it once and I never thought I have anything to activate about, to be very honest.
Back in University, the dream was to publish a newspaper in group or contribute for a newspaper I could find. But I was never sure whether I fitted in. The politics is difficult especially for the youth who have little reading, experience or adequate preparation. So, I had to refrain from such move, not for my safety but everyone close to me. Yet, writing was a passion which I kept it with poems I write and throw it to the basket. Limited short stories, essay and frequent poems I wrote.
The passion of writing and reading also leads to entertaining various ideas that my friends and I think will impact the society. But after graduation, we reckoned, we have a lot to read first, we waited long to come with something great (fear of acerbic judgment) and our ideas are shared by others. Thus, there was no need to expose ourselves.
If any thing describes this time, this time is a time for activists mainly political activists. What bothers me is whether people who designate themselves as political activists understand politics.The thing is very much complex; and Ethiopian politics is very intricate. Politics to my undertsanding needs basic understanding of history, culture, philosophy and other related wisdom. In addition to this, you need to have purpose that would serve everyone. It is about equality, justice and fair utilazation of resources. But I strongly argue anyone that the rise of activists in Ethiopia is driven by people who have such undersatnding. For many people, politics is like boxing. Winning is all matters. Therefore, the rise of activist is for a simple fact that everyone has his or her own way reaching other people; thanks to social media. Everyone has a means to clear what is in his/her mind. And, there is also limitless freedom of speech we are currently witnessing. Thease days the bystanders’ time is gone. A time to witness and shush seems to have gone. Now everyone cries, release it all, and confiding is no more. There is more speaker than listener. There is more lecturer than doer.
You might say this enhances freedom of speech and people can bring change through digital activism. But for me for larger part this caused the rise of hate speech and violence. On the otherside activists have become notorious and rich without contributing anything positive to the society. I am not generalizing and talking that activism in this country is totally distructive. But for most part, I have seen activism becoming all to cry foul, to oppose or dig a fault. In real sense, activism is to find purpose, to be a model, and persistently and responsibly usher a case. When some get persistence, they lose clear purpose. When we find purpose in them they resort to shortcut which ultimately damage reputation.
But there are also few activists who urge for peace, health, literacy, enviromental conservation and other fundamental issues. These activists call for restrain in times of conflict and raise funds and donation for people affected by disaster, conflict or war. These are activists that should be commended. Enviromental activism, reading campaigns, notable cleaning camapigns of Gashe Abera Molla (Sileshi Demissie) and other are really agents of change. If I would be any, I will choose to be with them.
I guess my friend wanted me to be popular and to make it a living so how which I politely resigned saying: “I can’t be one of those.” I also remind him activism is of a choice. It is a choice to come out in front people. To be bold or shameless in face of criticism. To be responsible for the things you would cause or do. Many people I met prefer to be a good influence to their circle. Keep them in shape and maintain their privacy. I think I must be one of them.
If there is anyone I could influence postively, I would be happy. But I know activism isn’t a piece of cake. It is even dangerous if somenone dive in without clear purpose, resource and preparation. On the otherside, there is enough activist. The country needs people who do their jobs; who would act upon what constructive activist say.
BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 18 MAY 2022
