[By Bereket Kiros]
As James Baldwin said, “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” These multicoloured writings in our forum are a sheer delight. I wrap myself in them. As enjoyable as they are, they are propelled by the same wind of venom, polemics, redundancy, and hate. I understand the justification for hate, but I do not understand the misuse of talent. It is time for EVERYONE to stop nursing grievances and extending blame and begin open, honest, searching discussions of issues that should concern Tigrai of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints: poverty, food insecurity, energy, environment, women’s rights, health, and quality of education.
A free press is the cornerstone of a democratic society. This is like saying a human being has two arms—a tautological and an obvious statement of fact. For my discussion of the right of a free press, its scope, and its function in the Tigrai community, we must start with the acknowledgement that no one person has a monopoly on the truth, knowledge, patriotism, concern for the good of society, et cetera. In pursuing that effort, I am an ardent believer and practitioner of citizens’ rights; I especially believe in the individual’s rights to formulate his/her ideas freely, to express his/her opinion on any subject freely, and to seek truth freely without fear of harassment or prosecution. Sooner or later, dictatorial leaders’ criminal activities usually catch up with them. Society is structured and maintained through the contributions of many individuals.
The diversity of opinions, ideas, etc., enriches and develops society materially and spiritually. We all benefit from “the marketplace of ideas,” where all kinds of ideas are offered and discussed instead of having a closed system where neither ideas nor facts are examined. The one crucial aspect of a civil society is to entertain diverse views. It is not abnormal to expect individuals to use their fundamental and democratic rights responsibly.
However, whether individuals exercise their rights responsibly is another matter; often, they do not. As long as we are in a social and political structure, our individual or collective actions need to be deliberative and considerate of the rights of others. It is not unique that we find individuals or groups expressing views disagreeable to many others.
The inhumanity of leaders or followers toward helpless victims, who are branded as criminals through unjust processes of law or custom, is beyond comprehension to me. I do not understand how personal ambitions to remain in power could fuel such disregard and callousness in individuals that they would murder, torture, imprison, and destroy the lives of so many.
Tigrai nationalism and Tigrawinet can only be reinforced and enriched through the free exchange of ideas. I have done that with the idea of discouraging my fellow Tegaru from seeking ethical standards in the practices of Western governments but to seek them within our social and moral norms, which are far more advanced and humane than those we can find elsewhere in the world.
Even the cases I cited discussing the concept of freedom of the press are cited to articulate questions rather than render primary principles on human rights. They lack ethical standards in writing unconfirmed news, and their contempt for our elected officials is nothing more than a gambit to cover their main intentions to submit to chauvinistic and power-hungry maniacs. We Tegaru must unveil the strategies of the desperate regime resorting to desperate means.