The concept of “In the Cause of the People” often centers on the tension between the necessity of ongoing struggle and the ultimate goal of a peaceful, humanistic “dream.”
Historically, most leaders and philosophers argue that struggle is a continuous process of refinement rather than a race with a finish line. When viewed through a critical lens, the “dream” of humanity is often seen as delayed by the systemic extraction of wealth from the many for the benefit of the few. Unknown.
“The Necessity of Continuous Struggle
Many thinkers believe that “The Cause” never truly ends because power naturally tends to centralize and corrupt. – Unknown.
“The struggle is my life. I will continue to fight for freedom until the end of my days.” – Nelson Mandela.
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglass.
“Freedom is a constant struggle.” – Angela Davis.
“The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance.” – John Philpot Curran.
“A Critical Lens on Resource Exploitation is
When nations prioritize resources over people.” Unknown.
The “Actual Humanity Dream” becomes a commodity- Unknown.
“The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi on industrial exploitation.
“We are not drowning or dying; we are fighting for our lives. You can not eat money or drink oil.” – Indigenous Climate.
“The basic ideology of the system is that of a cancer cell: growth for the sake of growth.” – Edward Abbey.
“Resource extraction is the new face of colonialism, where the wealth of the soil is traded for the poverty of the soul.” – Anonymous.
Living the “Actual Humanity Dream”
Is the dream a destination, or is it the act of living with dignity during the struggle?
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, and kindness.” – Howard Zinn.
“The dream of humanity is not to be served, but to serve the common good of all living things.” – Radha Burnier.
“The point of the struggle is not just to win, but to become the kind of people who are worthy of the win.” – Attributed to various liberation theologians.
Synthesis: Should the Liberian People Struggle Continue?
The Continuous Path to Progress creates new challenges; vigilance prevents backsliding into exploitation.
The Terminal Goal The struggle must end in a post-scarcity, post-exploitation world to truly “live” the dream.
The “Dream” is lived through the struggle for justice, not after it.
By: Austin S Fallah – A True Son of the Planet Earth Soil: fallahas@yahoo.com.
As the sun rises over the verdant hills and flat plains of Liberia, it casts a golden hue over the bountiful lands that hold the promise of untold wealth.
With abundant resources such as gold, diamonds, iron ore, timber, and arable land, Liberia stands on the brink of unparalleled prosperity.
Yet, as the world turns its gaze towards this West African nation, what lies beneath the surface of this potential is a stark reality that many would prefer to ignore: the people of Liberia are reaping the scantest rewards from their God-given natural resources.
Instead of empowerment, too many Liberians receive nothing more than peanuts under the guise of employment, while foreign investors and some corrupt government officials continue to profit immensely.
It is within this context that every air-breathing and well-meaning Liberian must examine recent events, particularly Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung’s visit to Bea Mountain in Grand Cape Mount County.
This visit, touted as a sign of governmental interest in job creation and economic stimulation, raises critical questions about the legitimacy of the claims made by these so-called investors.
Had the Vice President not graced the site with his presence, would the CEO have even considered mentioning job creation?
The alarming implication here is the troubling trend of superficial gestures masking a deeper disregard for the lives and futures of the Liberian workforce.
The current state of labor practices in Liberia is deeply troubling.
Reports suggest that many of these foreign companies exploit the nation’s rich resources while providing scant employment opportunities for locals, inducing a sense of false hope through promises that go largely unfulfilled.
The rhetoric of job creation has become a convenient narrative that allows investors and the government to sidestep the glaring issues surrounding labor rights and fair compensation.
Ominous signs indicate that Liberians are mistakenly returning to a cycle where the labor of everyday Liberians is exploited just as it has been in the dark chapters of the nation’s history.
A prime example of this exploitation is Bea Mountain itself, a site with significant gold and diamond reserves.
The hype surrounding such projects is filled with promises of prosperity; however, these promises often evaporate when confronted with reality.
Why do Liberians continue to see only crumbs in return for their natural wealth?
One must examine the complex web of interests that often binds local governance to foreign entities.
Liberians must hold the Ministry of Labor, the National Investment Commission, and other relevant government agencies accountable, urging them to conduct thorough site visits and audits of these companies.
Liberians must recognize that, as specters of forced labor and inadequate compensation haunt their past, it is the responsibility of the Unity Party, led by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, to dismantle these practices and protect the dignity of the Liberian workforce.
The administration must distance itself from the childlike naivety that some investors are peddling about safeguarding a brighter future.
Employment should not be tantamount to modern-day servitude, where the few benefit at the expense of the many.
The structural inequalities prevalent within Liberia’s labor market are not just practices rooted in the present.
Still, they are a continuation of longstanding injustices perpetuated by past regimes, colonial constructs, and global capitalism.
The historical context is essential in understanding how labor practices have evolved in Liberia, from the emancipatory promise of free labor to the current exploitation under the guise of economic development.
The narrative propagated by foreign investors revolves around bringing capital and opportunity to the nation, yet, truth be told, many of these corporations thrive on cheap labor and weak regulations that favor profit over principle.
The government bears a crucial responsibility in this narrative.
They must remain vigilant against malpractices masquerading as foreign investment.
The euphoric promises that come packaged with international investment often lead to hollow victories for the very people the investment is meant to uplift.
By allowing companies to sidestep regulations in the name of job creation, the governing bodies perpetuate cycles of poverty and desperation.
The momentous decisions made by government officials can either elevate the Liberian populace or condemn them to a future of exploitation.
To support policymaking and labor standards that protect workers from unfair practices, a collaborative approach that unites the government with various stakeholders, including civil society and labor unions, is necessary.
Additionally, improving the capacity of the Ministry of Labor and its agencies is essential to ensure they can duly address exploitation within these companies.
The mere inkling of the phrase “job creation” can not remain an escape for corporations looking to benefit from Liberia’s resources while downsizing genuine opportunities for its citizens.
The voices of everyday Liberians must resonate in the corridors of power—governments should invest in building Liberians’ capacity rather than outsourcing labor to foreign interests that often treat workers as expendable.
The legacy left for future generations hangs in the balance and must not be sacrificed at the altar of profit.
The current climate allows for powerful stakeholders to take advantage of marginalized populations; hence, legal mechanisms and protections for workers’ rights must become a focal point of national dialogue.
Furthermore, the urgency to address labor practices is not merely a national conversation; it is a call for global awareness.
Awareness must extend beyond Liberia to engage international stakeholders in holding corporations accountable for their promises.
A commitment to transparent operations and fair labor practices can help reshape the narrative around investment in Liberia, ultimately leading to a more equitable sharing of wealth.
Marginalization and exploitation of workers will not cease unless the cultural narrative within the country changes.
The discourse surrounding labor need not be dominated by foreign interests nor silence the voices of local employees.
History has shown humanity that exploitation does not benefit anyone beyond a select few; it fractures the very fabric of society and robs future generations of their rightful inheritance.
Liberia stands at a pivotal juncture in its quest for prosperity.
As much as our natural resources are a blessing, they can swiftly turn into a curse if managed poorly.
The influx of foreign investment must be accompanied by conscious efforts to ensure equity and fairness in labor practices.
The government must ensure that Liberians (districts) are direct shareholders in every concessional agreement entered into by the government and investors.
This will ensure equity in the distribution of resources (revenues) directly from the soil and involve them in the decision-making for administrative and management matters.
Vice President Koung’s visit to Bea Mountain may have shed light on the potential for economic growth, but it must not become another anecdotal moment of fleeting hope.
The Unity Party and engaged stakeholders must cultivate labor practices that pay fair wages and empower the Liberian workforce to become stakeholders in their economic future.
Only through collective commitment and unwavering vigilance can Liberia hope to turn the dreams of its people into a living reality, ensuring that this generation and the next can break the chains of a history marked by exploitation.
