October 19, 2007

I hope you disagree with me

When I first arrived in Europe and saw for myself its level of development, I felt that Ethiopia would never catch up with the rich nations. The contrast with home was so stark, it was frustrating. At the time, I wrote a poem that crystallised this feeling. Nearly two decades on, I have not found a single good reason to revise my pessimistic prognosis. However, as I leave you with the said poem, it is with the hope that you might find a reason to disagree with me.

   Gissu. 

 

Posted by yekolotemari at 15:32:55 | Permanent Link | Comments (8) |
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1 - I have been waiting your return . Now here I have an other peace of poem from you Yekoletemari. Thier light(Berhan) is not your light--I think i know what you mean by that.
 (Comment this)

Written by: Meyesaw at 2007/10/19 - 19:07:17
2 - Gissu, nice poem ... but I disagree :) My reasons are India and China - we may not have their population, but we can learn a thing or two from them. I hope :-/ (Comment this)

Written by: Tobian at 2007/10/19 - 19:51:39
3 - Great poem as usual, but I disagree as well. I am not here to discount the hard work they they have put in to make their societies great. However their Birhan(light) as you put it is also made possible by the free labor and resources of the less fortunate or "fit" if you are into darwinism :-) I say f*** their Birhan. It is always birhan if we open our eyes. but then, that's just moi :-( (Comment this)

Written by: Fisseha at 2007/10/20 - 05:18:08
4 - Are their societies great? Of course there's no denying the fact that they're technologically so much more advanced. But sometimes I wonder....all this for what? When I observe the relationships they have with eachother, with family members, etc., when I look at how they get old and die all alone (literally), what is the meaning of life? Is it to be financially cuddled while being emotionally barren? I don't know, I'm still trying to figure things out...But as usual, it's a beautiful poem Gissu...and I love the fact that in so few words you managed to capture so many ideas! (Comment this)

Written by: Anonymous at 2007/10/21 - 10:14:57
5 - Thanks guys --Tobian, Fisseha and anonymousX2-- for disagreeing, and I hope your optimism and “WENE” will infect the likes of me.

Gissu (Comment this)

Written by: Anonymous at 2007/10/22 - 17:38:33
6 - Gissu, as much as I want to disagree with you I just CAN NOT. (Comment this)

Written by: cece at 2008/03/21 - 10:44:12
7 - Gissu, as much as I want to disagree with you I just CAN NOT. "I felt that Ethiopia would never catch up with the rich nations. The contrast with home was so stark, it was frustrating." I couldn't have said it any better. The first time I went to Kenya was when I realized Ethiopia has a long way to go, and you can only imagine the contrast between Europe and Ethiopia. Like Fisseha said they are where they are because of the free labor of the less fortunate, regardless of how they got their "light"......unfortunately they got it, and I don't know if Ethiopia would ever get it.... (Comment this)

Written by: cece at 2008/03/21 - 10:46:01
8 - i agree with you yekoletemari, but i was much more optimistic for years. Now that i am coming to understand what it takes for industrialisation (massive education, srict organisation,..), i came to the same conclusion. (Comment this)

Written by: Anonymous at 2008/05/01 - 04:14:32
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