09/18/2021
Here is an inserts from my speech to the University of Bahir Dar Graduation Class of 2021 entitled:” Seeking the Source of Genuine Truth and National Reconciliation As the Answer to Our Present and Future Crises”
“Today, I am also humbled to receive the unexpected award of an Honorary Doctorate Degree from this great university. At the same time, I must give much credit to the many others who have helped in the work of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE), of which I am the Executive Director, in its advocacy for human rights, justice, peace and reconciliation for all Ethiopians. This includes my wife and my family, SMNE’s board and members, work colleagues, supporters, friends and those many others who have upheld and spread these principles to others. Thank you!
Most of all, I thank God for his help, guidance and protection. Here, at the source of the Blue Nile, I am reminded that it is God, as Creator, who is the real source of these life-giving waters that provides the majority of water downstream. It can be symbolic of our search for the source of genuine wisdom, truth and knowledge, a great metaphor for a university as it strives to educate and equip its students for their future.
Bahir Dar is at the source of the Blue Nile, a river that starts out serenely and small; yet, since ancient times, its nourishing waters have flowed to many deep and unknown places, descending some 6,000 feet from the highlands of this place, forming mile-high gorges, widening to over 15 miles across as it meets other tributaries and rivers along the way before reaching the Mediterranean Sea, some 2,700 miles from this place.
Perhaps, the Blue Nile can illustrate how important it is to “go to the Source”, our Creator, for his truth, wisdom and direction as to how we should live in relationship to each other and as people of this ancient nation, Ethiopia.
Will we genuinely listen? Will we only pretend to listen? Or, will we block our ears to what we do not want to hear? Think of the Blue Nile, if we pollute it, what will happen to its life-giving properties? If we try to stop the waters, can we succeed or will it flood and overflow?
What are the dangers or consequences of not listening or blocking our ears? Are we now seeing some of the signs and symptoms of a failing system today?
Ethiopia is in a fragile, confusing and unpredictable position because of the ethnic federalism or institutionalized tribalism. We are fighting from within; yet, a body that fights itself, may not survive.
Every generation faces testing; however, the class of 2021 may be facing one of the greatest challenges in recent history. The one possibly to be compared to it would be the time that led to the Battle of Adwa. Ethiopians, at the time, put their differences aside and stood together as citizens of one country, coming together to defend their God-given dignity. Are Ethiopians ready to do this?”
I will post the entire speech shortly