Struggle, Hope, and Action: A Response to Apathy

On June 23 of this year, Pascal Robert published an inquisitive article in the Huffington Post entitled, "What Happened to the Black Literary Canon?"(You can read it here). After articulating the profound impact mid-century authors such as James Baldwin, E. Franklin Frazier, and Cater G. Woodson had on his own intellectual up-bringing, Robert laments the possibility that our society endures, satiated by the façade of "racial-blindness," or perhaps even considers itself the more absurd designation as a "post-racial America." The statistics, as he points out, prove otherwise with cold, terse facticity.

What was most inspiring about these words was not the celebration of literature, but my internalization and comprehension of the sheer magnitude of our generation's capacity to think critically and dissent against apathy. These characteristics––the individual thinker, the assertive voice advocating for the good––are not merely fundamentally "American" ideals; they embody and permeate the Ethiopian Global Initiative's mission.

While Robert focused on the indifference within the young Black community, I believe his concerns regarding apathy prove valid for the whole of American youth today. As a generation, we grew up "on-line." As individuals, we have access to unprecedented levels of information and communication––all which can be accessed near-instantenously. If the pace of time is quickening, then history––even our mothers' and fathers'––recedes deeper into ambiguity. Perhaps those pages characterizing struggle, preaching hope, and demanding action appear too ancient for our modern tastes. Though, in my opinion, these authors' remarks contain a clear and essentially modern integrity, our nation of youth may need inspiration via new means. As national test scores dwindle, religious and political extremism gain prominence, and the racial divide worsens across academic, nutritional, and labor lines, we are faced with the struggle.

In referring to the tough economic climate the United States––and particularly our youth––currently faces, Attorney General Eric Holder commented at Boston University's Class of 2010 commencement: "only when the sky is darkest are we able to see the stars." Well, my hope rests in the star-glinted eyes of the youth, for they carry the torch of insight, the burden of responsibility, and a capacity not yet bounded. My hope resides in the intrepidity of those that demand action––in organizations such as the Ethiopian Global Initiative, which embodies the universal ideals of community and compassion.

After working with EGI's President, Samuel Gebru, and our team of volunteers, it is my sincerest belief that the Ethiopian Global Initiative not only aspires to inspire: it actualizes its own insistence on initiative. With a call aimed particularly at Ethiopian American and Ethiopian youth, steps are being taken today by members of EGI to face such debilitating social problems as cultural ignorance, ethnic and racial isolation, poor health conditions, and hunger.

My insistence is that those that want to see change can and will when we rally together. In the minds of those at EGI, a movement has begun. Join it.

Jonathan Remple

Research Associate

Ethiopian Global Initiative

EGI Mission Statement

The mission of the Ethiopian Global Initiative is to combine and capture the social and intellectual capital of students and professionals to further engineer the transformation of Ethiopia by engaging a new generation of socially responsible leaders. In partnership with leading public and private sector organizations, the Ethiopian Global Initiative aims to undertake and support sustainable developmental endeavors in Ethiopia. The Initiative also aims to promote the interests of Ethiopians globally by serving as a catalyst for community-based projects that promote civic engagement and economic prosperity.

A Mission Statement that Acts

By: Aster Mengesha Gubay

Friday, June 18, 2010

A unique history, an exuberant culture, and an undeniably beautiful population - Ethiopia is truly a country blessed with endless potential. But to fully harness these possibilities groups such as the Ethiopian American Youth Initiative are desperately needed. Initially started as a support group for the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, EAYI has evolved into a social network that is dedicated in spreading the Ethiopian culture and its’ distinctive history, establishing developmental projects to create a more productive Ethiopia, and bringing about solutions to the direr situations of this East African country. All of these goals, which, should be noted as realistic ones, contribute to a brighter future for the Ethiopian population are clearly illustrated within the well thought out mission statement of the Ethiopian American Youth Initiative.

As we move forward, our organization aims to change its name and reassess its Mission Statement. The name we will be considering during the 2010 EAYI Conference in Washington, D.C. is the “Ethiopian Global Initiative.” With the new name comes a new Mission Statement, which is,

“…to combine and capture the social and intellectual capital of students and professionals to further engineer the transformation of Ethiopia by engaging a new generation of socially responsible Ethiopians. In partnership with leading public and private sector organizations, the Ethiopian Global Initiative aims to undertake and support sustainable developmental endeavors in Ethiopia. The Initiative also aims to promote the interests of Ethiopians globally by serving as a catalyst for community-based projects that promote civic engagement and economic prosperity.”

This proposed Mission Statement highlights all the essentials to taking steps in the right direction. The intent is to gather young minds, scholars, professionals, entrepreneurs, etc., and do “collectively what can not be done individually” and essentially “go forth and prosper.” A big emphasis is also placed upon the concept of a collective collaboration by incorporating “public and private sector organizations” in hopes of bringing together a diverse set of ideas and launching them into projects that will all in-turn transform Ethiopia. And who wouldn’t want that?

The Mission Statement also touches base with enhancing Ethiopian interests on the global fronts, interests that I interpret may include seeing more athletes in global arena, creating a more profitable Ethiopian coffee market for the coffee farmers, introducing a vibrant democratic system in Ethiopia, and getting the younger generation of Ethiopian students more opportunities in the workforce and to compete world-wide. Much praise should be contributed to the fact that this organization accepts that effective change cannot—and subsequently, will not—happen instantly over night. (Patience is included in this journey.) By saying this group is a “catalyst for community-based projects that promote civic engagement,” we lucidly communicate that we hope to get other things started with a push from the Initiative.

It is safe to say that this organization has definite potential in achieving its’ goals and excelling on the national and global level. Linking and networking with Ethiopians, Ethiopian descendants, and with people who highly favor the Ethiopian culture around the world, will in the long run create a much stronger alliance among the global Ethiopian community. I personally believe anything can be achieved once unity is obtained and it is clear that the Initiative’s sole purpose is to bring people together who have the shared interest in seeing Ethiopia and Ethiopians succeed. With such a mission statement, the Initiative will have many years of successful business, a flourishing membership, and will be able to obtain its' goal of transforming Ethiopia through collective action.

Aster Mengesha Gubay is the Director of Government and Community Relations for the 2010 Ethiopian American Youth Initiative Conference.