WHY DO WE STILL USE THE WORDS COUNTRY AND CONGO AND DISPARAGINGLY PLACE LIBERIANS IN ONE GROUP OR THE OTHER?

By Julia Gibson Thompson

For the past several months, I have contributed articles/letters to numerous online news media. My articles have been tailored to cover issues of interest to Liberians. In each article, I have advanced ideas that I consider relevant to the development and safety of our destroyed country. It has also been my intention to evoke additional ideas on whatever the topic, hoping to enrich the debate. I have deliberately tried not to be divisive nor insulting to anyone.

The reactions to my articles have been mixed. I have appreciated both the commendations and the criticisms. This has led to many exchanges between some of those who commented on my articles one way or the other, and me. Some of them and I have become friends and supporters.

There have been a few who have been insulting, not taking time to identify my gender and damning me as CONGO or COUNTRY. I have been taken aback on how some Liberians, with all that we have gone through, would choose to look at every issue on Liberia only through a divisive lens of gender bias, tribalism and outright unfounded hatred for their fellow Liberians. It seems as though they are not interested in the core ideas expressed in the articles but are bend on insulting the author. These sorry Liberians come from both sides: There are those who condemn if they view the article to be pro-government. Others condemn, no matter what good can be found in the articles, if they view it to be anti-government. I welcome all the comments, the commendations and the criticisms, minus the insults and the promotion of division that are carried in some of them.

Those who promote the Country/Congo line, conclude that the Congo or Americo Liberians have wealth and influence and the country people are still at the bottom of the economic, social and political ladder in Liberia. They do not wish for all Liberians to climb the ladder, but that Congoes should be thrown off the ladder and suffered the perceived fate they claim country people still suffer in Liberia. Their views are alarming to me and the implications are clearly not good for our country.

My I say to my fellow Liberians that the line between Liberians is very thin and non existent in many respects. Many tribal Liberians are shock to learn, when conversing with fellow Liberians from what we call Up River, where most Americo-Liberians settled, that the young men climb trees, hunt, go fishing, make farm, hardly have the means to send their children to school, and there are no health facilities in these areas also, these people yearn for a better life. Without saying what part of Liberia they are referring to, it is impossible to know if they are referring to Up River or some faraway village in the interior of Liberia.

Liberians who went into exile, learned that each one could tell as soon as a stranger opened his mouth whether he or she was a Liberian. You could not tell what tribe the person came from. Nationals of other countries could also tell a Liberian as soon as he or she spoke. One laughable story I was told is that a group of Liberians entered a social spot in Sierra Leone and a Sierra Leonean big shot said, "You man has come to joined us". One of the Liberians replied: "We have come to join you bo". The point is all Liberians have a common accent and manner of speech that each can recognize and any foreigner can also recognize.

There are numerous stories of acts of love and support Liberians showed each other as they escaped Liberia and lived in foreign lands as refugees. Gios saved Krahns, Mandingoes were saved by other tribes and each helped the other. Country and Congo ideas went out the window.

The line between Country and Congo has become most blurred by intermarriages, education and economic success. For some, you are a Congo once you are educated, have a western name, gain social status or political position. They do not even consider the negative consequences to those Liberians born unto non-Liberians and to Caucasians or those who were born outside of Liberia and speak none of the Liberian dialects, as they promote a message of hate. They do not have the insight to realize that sons and daughters of tribal Liberians born in America are the new Americo Liberians and their preaching of divide could lead them to be victimized.

My own observation is that many indigenous Liberians have advanced themselves over the years. They are doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, etc. etc. The majority of those in the Liberian government are indigenous Liberians. Sometimes it appears that out of jealousy, those not in such positions brand others as Congo or Americo Liberians. They do not have the guts to say "fellow indigenous Liberians, now that you are in power, please unite the country and give us good governance". It appears politically correct to them to call persons with wealth (even when well earned), and status as Congoes.

I was born to non-tribal parents and fall into the category of Americo-Liberian. But growing up, I did not recognized any difference between my friends and I. Growing up, as a child and as a young adult in Liberia, my parents raised my siblings and me to treat everyone equal. After my mother died, the soldiers assigned to my father (my father was a General in the army) and their wives raised us because my father traveled extensively with President Tubman. All the children played together.

When I became a woman, I had two daughters by an educated, wealthy indigenous Liberian who employed many Liberians. He worked hard at his business and became the first Superintendent of Montserrado County and Bomi Territory when President Tolbert restored the Superintendency to Montserrado in the 70s. My first husband was also an indigenous man and a son was born unto us. He too has done very well and does not carry the baggage of Country or Congo.

If we want true change and peace in Liberia, we should take hurtful words out of our vocabulary. To my indigenous brothers and sisters, please let us come together as Liberians and not continue to use CONGO and COUNTRY. This message goes to the Americo Liberians likewise. Liberia is for all of us and there are more things that unite us then divide us. Whenever the president addresses the citizens of Liberia, she does not address us as "My Congo and Country Liberians". She says "My fellow Liberians". Let us do the same.

To those who responded to my articles in an insulting manner and characterized me as Congo or Country, I do not appreciate it. I find it unhealthy for Liberia. Look at the issues and address them. You cannot intimidate me and I hope you fail to intimidate any one who wants to contribute to the exchange of ideas for the good of our country.
For peace in our country, I appeal to the promoter of division and hate to let our children grow up just being Liberians. Please take COUNTRY and CONGO from your vocabulary and eliminate the culture of hate.

Long live Liberians! Long live Liberia! Long live all Liberians