George Bernard Shaw is quoted as having said “liberty means responsibility, and that is why most men dread of it.” The responsibility of which Shaw spoke requires endurance, vision, and patience. And yes its reward only comes after periods of toil and opposition. When one sees the cause of liberty … more
“There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desire.” Nelson Mandela (a statesman) Listening to a crucial repertory plays in the last three decades about … more
“Those who came with pure hearts, with malice towards none, with feelings of fellowship and eventual harmony, changed the mood.” Amanuel Sahle on “A Healing Journey.” It is our fears that invest the unconscious with fearsome characteristics of dark underworld inhibited by evil masters. But in reality the unconscious contains … more
Hardly surprising, since the reality of National Conference of Eritreans, for long, has been one of failed expectations and mounting frustrations; the power to make change within the opposition camp is always dashed by walkouts and boycotts. Year in and year out, the issue of national conference is invoked, in … more
“Heterogeneous in culture, Eritrea flourishes when it accepts and capitalizes on its diversity and disintegrate when it denies and suppresses.” (A view held by this writer) Introduction We are fortunate enough that the opposition writers as diversified as they are, indeed vigorously tackling the various issues with courage, … more
Dear compatriots: [This is an open letter from an independent perceptive observer to the preparatory committee of National Conference (PCNC) that will convene on February 15, 2010] You are convening at time our nation and its people are devastated by the rogue regime in Asmara. The whole livelihood of … more
“We have got to take back the ideal of justice; we have got to take back the principles of human dignity…we have got to say, look we are all in this together.” (David Kaczynski) To foster cross-cultural success in modern Eritrea, both political and civic organizational institutions must promote empathy … more
“Each generation of Eritrean can’t escape but tackle the Muslim/Christian, Lowland/Highland synergy, which boils down to identity politics and diversity, as it is and because it is existential question….mortality and perpetuity of Eritrean depends on it.” [Ghezae H. Berhe] In politics, conscious belief is the ignition that gets you … more
“The key to wisdom is constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.” (Peter Abelard a French Philosopher) Crystal ball is still cloudy It was Macbeth who spoke wearily of life as “a tale told by an idiot, … more
“In this postmodern world, cultural conflicts are becoming more dangerous than at any time in history. A new model of co-existence is needed, based on man’s transcending himself.” Vaclav Havel (pres. of Czech Rep.) I am provoked to write this article by the Awate team; provoked in a sense … more
“Justice is conscience, not personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice.” Alexander Solzhenitsyn Grievances and Resentment at its peak The purpose of this essay is to emphasize that … more