What does it mean to be Liberian? - part one of a two part series

Someone from the US asked me the other day what is the sense of Nationalism in Liberia. I have thought a lot about this. I developed a list of questions I want to ask people I have met to develop my own understanding, before I share with the world - our limited readership - via this blog, my conclusions.

The answer I think will be nuanced. For in Liberia I feel there is a sense of pride in being Liberian, mixed with a lack of self-criticism, all rolled-up with feelings of inadequacy that are not easily shared or apparent to the observer. The reality though is much more complicated. I doubt I will be able to describe a universal nationalistic tendency. The fact that 16 different ethnic groups, a small group of Americo-Liberians and many foreign nationals from Lebanon, India and others have called Liberia home for many years during times of conflict and marginalization, I am not sure a universal sense of nationalism exists.

The historical context I think will be important to understand the present day realities. For a great part of Liberian History nationalism (and citizenship) was only available to a very small portion of the population. Initially the state of Liberia was created to serve the needs of the Americo-Liberians - comprising only about 5% of the population today, and much less when Liberia gained independence in 1847. They established a state, subjugating and not extending the same economic, educational and political opportunities to the other 16 ethnic groups,

Today, you can still see the repercussion of this system. Many of those that have been educated or have some material wealth are either decedents of Americo Liberians or where somehow connected with the rule of Samuel Doe or of Charles Taylor – the two most recent “presidents” that pillaged the wealth of the country for their own personal gain.

So, through out the history of Liberia the “State” was created systematically to serve the needs of a few, at the expense of many. Not a breeding ground for a unifying since of Liberian Nationalism in my mind. However I am curious how things have changed over the last 10 years. I am curious how people view and reflect on their history? How does their turbulent history set the context for their present views of themselves and the Republic of Liberia.? Ultimately, I am curious to find out what it meant to be Liberian.

The questions I want to ask -

• What does it mean to be Liberian?
• What makes you proud to be a Liberian?
• Who are the role models of young Liberians?
• What does Liberia look like in 15 years?

I will let you know what I find out.