Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2014 21:42:48 +0200
<http://www.madote.com/2014/09/september-1st-brief-reflection.html>
Eritrea: September 1st - A Brief Reflection
September 1st - A Brief Reflection
<https://twitter.com/FikreJesus> Fikrejesus Amahazion
Why is September 1st such an important day for Eritrea? It represents the
day that the Eritrean independence movement transitioned from non-violence
and protest, to active, armed resistance - going against all odds and logic.
It is a day to reflect upon and remember the contributions and heroic
exploits of the thousands of freedom fighters - those mythical, legendary
men and women who spent over 30 years in the barren, dusty deserts and harsh
mountains of Eritrea, persevering and ultimately delivering freedom against
all odds.
Of all the independence movements throughout Africa in the 1900s, only two
emerged "victorious" militarily, Zimbabwe and Eritrea. And of those two,
only Eritrea was able to do so via an outright military destruction of the
colonial oppressor (rather than a negotiated settlement, a la the Lancaster
Agreements). Furthermore, not only was Eritrea's struggle the longest
African independence war of the 1900s, the three decades long struggle
targeted far more than just political emancipation. Rather, it sought to
usher in a complete and radical transformation of society, destroying all
outdated, harmful, traditional structures within society.
Today, although a large number of African states have been "politically"
independent for decades, many are still mired in economic dependency and
shackled by the oppressive chains of neocolonialism. Even with an abundance
of precious natural resources, the African continent has remained poor and
continues to suffer from the many blights of underdevelopment. Across the
continent, resources, which could promote development, have instead fueled
conflict and bred vast inequalities, while foreign exploitation has
sustained debilitating poverty. In stark contrast however, Eritrea has
maintained control of its considerable resource endowments, firmly grasped
the reins to its national and economic development, and is navigating a
pragmatic path towards true national emancipation and a tangible improvement
in the lives of its people.
Some worthwhile links:
An excellent resource. Everything outlined and detailed. So inspirational.
<http://www.dehai.org/conflict/history/birth_of_a_nation.htm%C2%A0>
http://www.dehai.org/conflict/history/birth_of_a_nation.htm
On all aspects of Eritrea's history, and recent updates.
<http://www.myth2014.com/%C2%A0> http://www.myth2014.com/
Video Documentary
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmrQ00_rAH8>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmrQ00_rAH8
Hands down, one of my favorite songs and videos, particularly for the
imagery. Watch until the end, "after every dark night, there's a brighter
day."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4tWUi8bAdQ
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4tWUi8bAdQ%C2%A0>
<http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb8NowFdHsg/U_fLr_EJeJI/AAAAAAAAGj0/s-uwCrvCLJY/s
1600/Eritrean%2BIndependence%2BStruggle%2B%281%29.jpg>
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb8NowFdHsg/U_fLr_EJeJI/AAAAAAAAGj0/s-uwCrvCLJY/s1
600/Eritrean%2BIndependence%2BStruggle%2B%281%29.jpg
Heroic Eritrean fighters
(image/jpeg attachment: image001.jpg)