The Need for More Civil Discourse

By Meron Tekleberhan

Addis Ababa, May 28, 2012 (Ezega.com) - The internet is a powerful tool for communication that supersedes any boundaries or restrictions. It is an outlet for many, including myself, who feel that they have something to say. Even more it allows communication and dialogue and, for better or worse, people are able to express themselves freely. This article, however, is not about extolling the many virtues of the web, nor is it designed to critique it as a mode of communications.

Rather this is my reflection on the disturbing attitude that is increasingly coming to characterize the conversation on issues of national interest that is freely broadcasted on the internet. I don’t think that it is wrong that Ethiopians have divergent views on national issues. It is only natural that different people address the issues from different angles. The internet is also the logical place to air these views and to facilitate a lively debate.

The level of interest that Ethiopians across the world have in their home country is reflected freely in the debates on various forums on the internet. But while it is encouraging that Ethiopians of the Diaspora are taking such an avid interest, it is nonetheless sad that the tone of the dialogue is set by radical opinions and offensive language.

In many ways the terrible mistrust and for lack of a better word, hatred that is increasingly becoming characteristic of the communication between the different camps is akin to what would be expected to enemy combatants and not citizens of the same nation seeking what is best for the same nation.

The dialogue on social media pages with Facebook being one, can serve as an example for the depths our national dialogue has sunk. The use of demeaning insults, vile characterizations and groundless recriminations have reached the point where by it is very hard to give credit to any side in the debate. It is highly improbable to expect the use of foul language to enhance a political point but sadly it seems to be the tool of choice for many.

Ultimately however I think that we will all discover that the issues we care about are not going to be solved by name calling and finger pointing much as they weren’t at the end of the gun. The only thing that the vociferous combatants on the web can achieve is to besmirch the good name of an honorable people and to forever lose any grounds for earnest discussion and maybe even compromise.

Our national problems will not be solved by loud voices screaming accusations or support from across oceans. The real issues and, it can only be hoped, the solutions to these issues are right here in Ethiopia like they have always been.

No amount of idealism and commitment to change can work unless it takes into account the pressing needs of the Ethiopian people. Unfortunately poverty, inflation, unemployment, corruption and all the woes that plague our land will not be cursed or insulted away. The only way we as a people can free ourselves from the oppression that these forces exert is when we identify our real issues and come together to combat them instead of each other.

Ato Alemayhu Seifu, writing in last week’s edition of Fethe, in response to the alleged incident at the conference in the US where the Prime Minister of Ethiopia was interrupted by a journalist calling for freedom rightly notes that humiliation of one another, and especially our national representative, in front of other national leaders is not the way to address our differences. The very poignancy of the title he chose for his short yet succinct article should give us all as Ethiopians pause for thought: “ke mesedadebu men aterfen?” (Roughly translated ‘what have we gained from all the insults?)

It would seem nothing. The same problems we had before all the vitriolic still exist to torment us and they will remain with us until we as a people understand that we can only exist united. In fact we probably have more of a challenge to contend with deriving from the division fostered by the insults. In the face of the politics of hate that demean and insult significant groups without thought for the variegated nature of each group it can only be prudent to wonder how we can ever come together to build up regardless of who is at the helm of this nation.

The all citizens of a nation have the right to critique their leadership is inarguable. It is indeed a necessary element to creating good governance. It is highly debatable, however if this critique should take the form of insults and humiliation at international public forums. The only end that can be served by such actions, beyond satisfying the baser instincts for petty self validation, is narrowing the chances of positive interaction.

Can we honestly claim that the right place to address our political differences is at international conferences in foreign cities and especially at a conference when the Prime Minister is representing our nation on the crucial issue of food security? I doubt that we can reasonably say that this is the right venue regardless of the legitimacy of the issues being addressed.

I don’t for a second doubt that my views will be characterized in different ways and I know that many will be quick to label me. I only want to say that labeling and naming calling are the weapons of the very weak and the hopeless. In this article the only thing that I stand for is the belief that it would serve our country better if we come together for reasonable discourse and constructive dialogue instead of tearing each other down. At the very least it would serve our dignity as Ethiopians and as human beings.

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Meron Tekleberhan is Addis Ababa based reporter for Ezega.com. She can be reached by sending email through this form.

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