#EthiopianDream: Yes, I also have a Dream!

By Zelalem Kibret

Half a century ago one of the great personalities of the 20th century, Dr. Martin Luter King Jr. declare his dream to his America and fellow black citizens of that nation. Three months before Dr. King’s Washington declaration, here in Africa the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The OAU’s choice of Ethiopia as a head quarter is not an accidental decision; rather it is recognition to Ethiopia’s symbolic status in the heart and minds of Black peoples. Ethiopia defeats European conquerors and able to resist the Scramblers of Africa. The black world who is subjugated, conquered and enslaved by sort water invaders takes this Ethiopia’s resistance as a symbol of defiance and Ethiopia itself as a beacon of Freedom.

But, Fifty Years later the symbolic OAU establishment, the black world is still not free. Ethiopia’s bravery and resistance of foreign colonizers seems in vain to establish a JUST Ethiopia. Because Ethiopia, dreamed by the black world as an inspiration is:

A land of Injustice,
A Land of Inequality,
A symbol of Famine and Hunger,
A land of hopeless wonderers,
A forgotten hellish corner of the world…

Even if Ethiopia inspires many to pursuit their freedom and rights, Ethiopia put a yoke of oppression to its citizens. Ethiopia hangs the bell of Freedom afar. Ethiopia ranks its citizens as first class and second class. Ethiopia built the wall of tyranny and dictatorship that becomes a noise to humanity. The Ethiopia that fence itself with fire to protect its sovereignty set its citizens in a fire ablaze within.

But, I know the dusk will give-up to the dawn and I Dream.

I have a dream that one day Ethiopia will rise up and live out its symbolic status of ‘The Beacon of Freedom’.

I have a dream that one day Ethiopia will treat its children with the same and equal treatment.

I have a dream that one day Ethiopia will live within the true meaning of ‘Un museo di Popoli – Museum of Peoples’. No privileged! No condemned!

I have a dream that my Ethiopia will hammer the evil of tyranny and dictatorship and instead, embrace Democracy.

I have a dream that one day the land of Ethiopia, will be hunger free and,

I also have a Dream that one day the spring of justice will quench Ethiopia, who is badly starving of it.

To fulfill my dreams,

Let freedom ring from the beautiful lowlands of Dalol to the Mighty Semen Mountains,
Let freedom ring from the mysterious peaks of Bale to the heavenly Forests of Gambella!
Let freedom ring from the giant Stale of Axum to the marvelous walls of Jegol.
Let freedom ring from the rift valleys of Ethiopia to the endless fields of Ogadane.
Let freedom ring from every house of 70 Million Ethiopian farmers to the skies of every urban dwellings.

Yeah, We Shall Overcome!

* Inspired by Dr. King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Treatise.