Liberia - Apropro for MLK Day

So, what did y'all think of Armenia? It was OK-ish... there sure was a lot of American pop music.

On this glorious MLK Day, let's tune in to Liberia!

Ellen is really bad with African geography. There are just so many countries!

Just to get you warmed up, here is a gratuitous Michael Jackson video. We lost you too soon, MJ. Too soon.

With that out of the way, Liberia (which means "Land of the Free") was founded by freed American slaves. A bunch of (mostly) Quakers started this group called the American Colonization Society, and their mission was to transport freed slaves back to the African continent where it was thought they could live better lives.

At the time (approx 1820), many abolitionists, including Abe Lincoln while he was a sitting president, thought emigration was the best option for freed slaves. They thought American society would never accept them. It's taken a very, very long time, and the good lord knows we aren't there yet. Anyway, the American Colonization Society was actively transporting freed slaves to Sierra Leone. In 1821 or so, they founded the colony of Liberia in nearby territory which became an independent republic a few decades later. 

how many pop culture references can we stretch in today's post?

There was friction with the indigenous population. Raise your hand if you're surprised. And, that conflict echoes among their descendants today. The colonists named their capital Monrovia after former president James Monroe, who'd been a large supporter. Pinky has always loved the name Monrovia. He used to go out to Monrovia, Maryland every now and then on business. It's such a pretty name. Ellen grew up next door to Mr. Monroe's hometown and loves to see Virginians in the world!

although not the most formidable of presidents from virginia, he decidedly better than all of the ones from texas. oooo, burnnn!

OK, we hate to skip so much, but let's move on up the timeline. So, there was a pretty successful American-emulated democratic rule up through the 20th century. In 1980, a coup was enacted by a guy named Samuel Kanyon Doe. Over the next decade, repression tightened and the political climate became heated enough to cause a civil war in 1989.

we know a bunch of tiny white girls who would kill for those glasses. fucking hipsters.

Charles Taylor, a former government minister, established himself as a warlord, and with the backing of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi (who Ellen thinks looks like Fred Armisen), led an insurgency that eventually toppled the government. Taylor and his men tortured Doe to death. Taylor was elected president in '97. His slogan was "He killed my ma, he killed my pa, but I will vote for him." Daaaaaaaaaaaamn... Everyone voted for him 'cause they figured if they didn't, he'd resume the war. They were probably right. 

  

that's fred in the middle. dead ringer for muammar al-gaddafi.

Taylor did all of the dictatorial shit you'd expect: child soldiers, diamond smuggling (supposedly giving some to Naomi Campbell), backing (and allegedly directing) a nasty rebel movement in the Sierra Leone Civil War, and plenty of civilian atrocities. The complete and utter disfunction of his government led to another civil war in '99 and lasting until 2003 when Taylor was forced to resign.

campbell, taylor, and... desmond tutu?! what are you doing up in this mess?

A women's peace movement was instrumental in his deposition, forcing peace talks and creating an atmosphere for Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to become the modern, elected female head of state in Africa. Taylor has since been charged with all sorts of war crimes and crimes against humanity and is on trial in the Hague.

yay! ladies in charge! in gold lame!

One of the most interesting stories to emerge from Taylor's rule is that of his son, Chuckie. He was raised by his mom in America until he was 17 and then went to live with his dad in Liberia during the Civil War. He became head of the "Anti-terrorist unit," which was a notoriously violent. When his personal chauffeur dented his car, he ordered him beaten "till you see bones and shit." We find that particularly chilling. "Bones and shit." It's such an offhanded comment. Imagine being a kid, finding out your dad is a warlord, going over and helping him take over a country, and then torturing a nation. We're sure Freud would have something to say about all of this. Rolling Stone did a fascinating article on Chukie Taylor a while back. It's really good.

Today, Liberia is a stable democracy and, under the leadership of Ms. Sirleaf, they're rebuilding their country in a transparent, cooperative manner, admirably addressing and repairing their country's problems and deep wounds.

So, that is a lot of heavy for MLK Day. We hope you find a moment to reflect on your freedoms and remember from whence they came. Can we get an amen?

Ok, let's tune in. This seems like a great station. Hope you enjoy it!

Radio Lib

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