It has always been my view that these groups of people could have done a lot more than give simply a lip service to the struggle for freedom in Ethiopia. But the problem seems most of us happen to be part-time freedom & democracy activists and full time self-centred and self enriching talking walking machines.
Well, I am not really naive and extreme idealist when it comes to what people have to do when it comes to earning a living and pay their bills, send their kids to schools e.t.c, and hence I do not really expect every one to devote all their time [100%] to the struggle. But, what is missing is making the struggle part of our living room, day to day life and our second nature.
If we become politicians, whenever it hot up and we loose interest when ever it goes cold, we are really saying that we need some one else to spice it up for us. Who is going to do that for us? I think this has to be the question, every one should ask? And as far as I am concerned no one else is going to do that for you and me. I think what is standing between us and freedom is ourselves. We, each of us are standing on our own way, because we could not see what is missing? Because we could not think, it is US [as in We] who should be holding the torch, and no one else.
What is needed is, for every one to engage with the struggle and take ownership of the problem and contribute what he/she is capable of. This can be done without disrupting ones way of life or living and his/her family. It could be money, it could be ideas, it could be diplomacy, campaign and so and so forth. Which everyway we need to engage and let us not expect anyone else to do the labour and give us what we want.
So, back to the main question. Do we really hold the key to the struggle to freedom? The answer is yes, we partly hold some of the keys, but not the way things are now and not the way the Diaspora conducts its political business. We need to fully engage, work with local groups, come together as one, let us be tolerant of each other, the ZERO sum politics should end and let us contribute with whatever we can, however small it can be, but LET IT BE DONE PASSIONATLY AND WITH COMMUTIMENT. Ethiopia and the people does not deserve part-timers!!!!
