Liberianlistener

And, though the narrative surrounding the assimilation of Liberia’s African American founders with the indigenous population is hardly one that always had a harmonious denouement, Vamba’s Land of My Fathers doesn’t focus on rehashing the inharmonious. Rather, it is a story about genuine friendship, mutual respect and love between an Americo Liberian, as the settlers became known, and an indigenous character that stood the test of time. It is truly a story about what was possible and what could be for his country, Liberia.

Vamba Sherif’s Land of My Fathers: A Review

December 12, 2019 admin2 Liberia, The Land of My Fathers, Vamba Sherif0 comment

On February 4, 1857, Mary Mickey, a former slave from Charlottesville, Virginia, wrote a letter to her former master about her journey to Liberia and her impression of the new country she would now call home: “It affords me great pleasure to have this opportunity to address a letter to you. In the midst of danger & death, while we could discern nothing above, & around us but the blue canopy of heaven, & under us the deep, deep blue sea, we were Providentially cared for, and bless to reach…

It has already made history with Miss Myanmar, Swe Zin Htet, who says she's the first openly gay contestant. Last year's winner, Catriona Gray from the Philippines spoke during Sunday's pageant, saying the past year has been "unforgettable, life-changing and purposeful. We're getting this amazing platform to voice the things we're passionate about, the things we care about," she said in a video. "I always had a voice, but Miss Universe allowed me to amplify it."

News

Miss South Africa rule captures world crown

December 9, 2019 admin2 Miss Universe, South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi0 comment

Associated Press—Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe Sunday night after excelling through rounds of swimsuit and evening gown struts, questions on social issues and one final chance to explain why she was the right choice. “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me — with my kind of skin and my kind of hair — was never considered to be beautiful,” she said in her last response. “I think it is time that that stops today. I want children to look at me…

Note: While the political superstructure may have changed its features since the second imperialist war, the economic base of the society has remained the same. Under Tubman, it was a Black Apartheid state in the service of imperialist capitalism. Under Doe, it was a military dictatorship in the service of imperialist capitalism. Under Taylor, it was Black Fascism in the service of capitalism. The Ellen’s era ushered in a liberal democracy; not a popular democracy but a democracy in the service of neo-liberal capitalism. In the current era under the soccer dolt, the fatherland is drifting away from liberal democracy and neo-colonial capitalism back to Black fascism in the service of private ownership of the properties of production, free market economy and free trade. Under these different conditions, the major aim of the state has been to create the condition for the wholesale exploitation of labor and resources by foreign capital.

Op-ed

William V.S. Tubman a betrayal of the cause of African Unity

December 8, 2019December 8, 2019 admin2 Africa, Liberia, Tubman0 comment

The Editor, William V.S. Tubman was not only the ringleader of the right-wing True Whig Party oligarchy for 27years, he was also a poodle of American imperialism. These dispositions of Tubman mutated his reign into an autocracy and thus created devastating consequences not only for progressive nationalism in Liberia but also put a break on African unity. As the godfather of the right–wing oligarchy, Tubman wrecked the little gains made under the progressive President Edwin J. Barclay, who fought to construct a black republic that promotes the dignity of all…

Altogether there were more than 1000 professionals from 70 countries, 25 of which came from Africa. Among the 25 countries was Liberia represented by group of leading Liberian artists such as Takun J, DanG, Nigga Blow, Tantan and others. Though these Liberian artists are individual solo artists who are well known in Liberia, they came together as one group to perform at the event in Morocco.

Music

Liberian Artists Showcase Talents At Visa For Music Festival In Morocco

December 8, 2019 admin2 Liberia, Morocco, musicians0 comment

By Nvasekie N. Konneh For the first time in recent years, a group of Liberian artists participated in a major music festival in Morocco. The festival was organized by the Visa for Music, a cultural organization based in Morocco. Since 2013, Visa for Music has been organizing the festival annually as the meeting point of music of Africa and the Middle East. 2019 was the 6th edition of the event. This year edition was held under the sign of femininity with diversity of artists representing countries in Africa…

Ahead of confirmation hearings of Presidential appointees by the Senate, the Unity Party (UP) Legislative Caucus Chairman and executive members of the Independent Legislative Caucus (ILC) in the House of Representatives, have warned against the confirmation of the newly appointed Deputy Defense Minister for Operations, Tarplah Davis, aka Zoely Zoe. The lawmakers also branded Zoely Zoe as being ‘extremely dangerous with bad human rights record.’

Public Policy

He Will Be Dangerous, Legislative Caucuses caution Senate

December 7, 2019 admin2 Confirmation, Liberia, Tarplah Davis0 comment

Ahead of confirmation hearings of Presidential appointees by the Senate, the Unity Party (UP) Legislative Caucus Chairman and executive members of the Independent Legislative Caucus (ILC) in the House of Representatives, have warned against the confirmation of the newly appointed Deputy Defense Minister for Operations, Tarplah Davis, aka Zoely Zoe. The lawmakers also branded Zoely Zoe as being ‘extremely dangerous with bad human rights record.’ The two legislative caucuses, in a joint communication to President Pro Tempore, Albert T. Chie, wrote against the confirmation of the newly appointed…

Op-ed

Alaric Tokpa: Malpractices are commonplace at the Election Commission.

December 6, 2019December 6, 2019 admin2 Alaric Tokpa, Liberia0 comment

PRESS RELEASE Alaric Tokpa Prof. Alaric Tokpa, head of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) has called for the National Elections Commission (NEC) to be placed on the list of war criminals in memory of Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine who championed the fight against the malpractices at the Elections Commission during the 2017 presidential and legislative elections. Appearing on Prime FM this morning (Thursday, 5 December 2019), Alaric Tokpa was paying tribute to Cllr. Brumskine when he called attention to the role played by the NEC in bringing war to Liberia…

About a day ago, the 15th President of the University of Liberia was inaugurated in a historic ceremony held at the Fendall Campus. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson seems ready to efficaciously pilot this flight. As I sat keenly listening to Dr. Nelson outlining a number of reforms his administration is prepared to undertake, his power-packed inaugural address reawakened lost hope. His speech arouse resounding claps and cheers at different intervals. The tasks ahead are herculean but Dr. Nelson has promised to confront them through real vision and concrete action. Is UL en route to Renaissance?

Op-ed

The University of Liberia en route to Renaissance under Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson, Jr.

December 6, 2019 admin2 Julius julukon Sarwolo, University of Liberia0 comment

By Martin K. N. Kollie About a day ago, the 15th President of the University of Liberia was inaugurated in a historic ceremony held at the Fendall Campus. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson seems ready to efficaciously pilot this flight. As I sat keenly listening to Dr. Nelson outlining a number of reforms his administration is prepared to undertake, his power-packed inaugural address reawakened lost hope. His speech arouse resounding claps and cheers at different intervals. The tasks ahead are herculean but Dr. Nelson has promised to…

Liberian Economy Group (LEG) Bella Casa Hotel Sinkor, Monrovia. Cell# 0777516641/088696999 Email: reservations@bellacasaliberia.com Hon. Albert Chie President Pro-Tempore House of Senate Mr. President Pro-Tempore: Please find attached the Report of the Liberian Economy Group (LEG) on the Current Statement of the Liberian Economy. We of LEG remain confident that the Action Steps indicated in the report, when taken, can lead to the solution of Liberia’s main problem, longstanding and widespread Poverty. Respectfully Yours Liberian Economy Group (LEG)

Op-ed

Loathe, or love them: The progressive intelligentsia killed the TWP caucus politics

December 5, 2019 admin2 Liberia, Progressive Class, TWP0 comment

The Editor, Liberia’s forward march to Democratic Governance, and total independence has been a herculean, and gigantic uphill task from the era of 1816, and up to the present. To reach the level we are currently; though not where we ought to be, it took the sweat, blood, tears, and precious lives of thousands of our kiths, kins, and compatriots who struggled unceasingly in the vanguard of political turmoil; stood unwavering test of time, amid insurmountable challenges, and including incessant wars, famine, and slavery, amongst other hostilities. At…

China’s activities in the African continent have yet to receive the attention they deserve in the West. China’s behavior in Africa is important for three major reasons. First, China is the source of significant investment capital twinned with a prodigious ability to create infrastructure, both of which are needed by many African states. Second, China’s behavior in Africa provides the rest of the world with insight into how it will behave towards other states, particularly the states of the Global South, as it becomes equal in power with the United States. Third, what China is doing in Africa does not augur well for the rest of the world. China’s activities and behavior in Africa may only be described as neo-colonial and exploitative of African peoples and the environment.

Public Policy

China Is In Africa To Control Its Resources: Chinese imperialism has come to Africa.

December 4, 2019 admin2 Africa, China, Resources0 comment

Key point: China is in Africa now not to advance Maoism, but to control its resources, people, and potential. Africa is on the cusp of a new period in its history, its renaissance. Freed from centuries of colonialism and neo-imperialism, Africa has the opportunity to become a center of economic might to provide prosperity to the continent’s growing population. Yet, at present, Africa unfortunately faces a new danger: Sino-imperialism, the risk of falling under the control of China largely through Chinese economic investment and loans. The People’s…

A man who most people feared and loathed turns out to be a petty and vain pretender who is only frightening when he confronts women and children. Miss Greene writes of Davis that "He was a good-looking man, straight, with a great black pointed beard; unfortunately, he had too many gold teeth, so that his flashing smile lost a good deal of its charm. (P161.) She writes that he was "clever, he was efficient, he was brave. ... Mention of the Kru war and his part in it, tears nearly came to his eyes." Nearly, but not really. "After speaking of his great love of children and demanding more whiskey, he spoke of Liberia's great attractions."

Politics

No, history is not written by the victors. History is written by writers.

December 2, 2019December 2, 2019 admin2 Col. Elwood Davis, Kru war, Liberia0 comment

Col. Elwood Davis: The 1930s American Mercenary of the Kru War By Dag Walker No, history is not written by the victors. History is written by writers. Writers? They aren’t necessarily famous. They might write about Liberia and not be Liberian. Today’s victor might be tomorrow’s villain. It depends on the writer. Victors gain fame and sometimes notoriety, but only if they are remembered by history. The ancient Egyptian Pharaohs among others, used scribes to record their lives and careers. In its way, a scroll or a wall of…