By Austin S Fallah: A True Son of the Planet Earth Soil: fallahas@yahoo.com
Courtesy of one of Liberia’s best US based Educator and Mathematician Sizi Goyah: Our revolutionaries of the 1970s to 1985 must tell us the story of our nation for that time period, if history is to remember them and their sacrifices for social and economic justice.”
The fabric of Liberia’s history is woven with threads of valor, struggle, and resilience.
This intricate narrative has undergone numerous revisions and retellings, yet significant parts remain unwritten or distorted, leaving a generation adrift in a sea of hearsay.
There lies a great responsibility on the shoulders of the revolutionaries who shaped the events of the late 20th century—especially between April 12, 1980, and April 14, 1979—to undertake a critical and definitive retelling of Liberia’s history.
In doing so, they will fulfill an obligation not only to themselves but to future generations, providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge upon which to build a just and vibrant society.
My encounter with Sizi Goyah, a U.S.-based Liberian educator and mathematician, raised grave concern about the current dependence of youth on hearsay and false narratives about our nation’s history.
The young Liberians of today are often left with fragmented stories, devoid of context, and steeped in myths, rather than with the factual, rich complexity of their heritage.
It is not just knowledge of the past that eludes them; it is a deeper understanding of their identity as Liberians, the legacy of those who fought for their freedom, and the countless sacrifices made throughout our tumultuous history.
To truly grasp the events that transpired during the 1979 rice riots and the consequential coup d’état in 1980, we must turn to the revolutionary leaders, the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), and other pivotal figures who encountered the harsh realities and the underlying motivations that fueled those critical moments.
The academic endeavors of notable historians, such as A. Doris Banks Henry and Dr. Joseph Saye Guannu, provide essential insights into earlier eras of Liberia’s history.
However, by focusing on the achievements and failures within a confined timeline, many narratives gloss over the broader context, particularly how events from that momentous period connect to the larger tapestry of Liberia’s past.
The 1979 rice riots stand out as a watershed moment in our history, ostensibly sparked by demands for better living conditions and lower rice prices.
However, could it be that these riots merely catalyzed a more significant power struggle? Or perhaps, a more profound façade to mask the mounting unrest against more than a century of political domination by a select few?
The question begs further examination: Did the revolutionaries, while aiming to dismantle decades of systemic inequality and mismanagement, inadvertently usher in an era of uncharted governance?
It is imperative that Liberia’s educational institutions, particularly the Ministry of Education, be at the forefront of this historical renaissance.
They should champion a comprehensive civic history encompassing every aspect of Liberia’s 179 years, documenting the essential players and movements from our tumultuous past, including former members of the PRC, Interim Leaders, Council of State Governments, Rebel Movements, Chiefs, those who wrote the 1847 and the 1986 Constitution, Members of the Constitution Advisory Commission, Zoes, Prdsidents, Political Leaders, Student Leaders, Sicial and Political Movements, Marketers who made it possible for Liberia to experience a semblance of multiparty and participatory democracy.
The Ministry must adopt a more inclusive approach that allows the voices of revolutionaries to echo through its corridors, scrutinizing what transpired in the political landscape during the coups, the formation of the PRC, the intricate constitution, and the advisory commissions that bridged Liberia’s past and future.
One crucial aspect of this discourse is the need to acknowledge not only the glories of liberation but also the missteps that stemmed from well-meaning ambitions.
The revolutionaries were women and men who sought justice and equality; they were also individuals who bore the heavy burden of addressing the complex legacy that preceded them.
Their struggles came with partisan fervor, yet also a commitment to reimagine a Liberia that governed itself by principles of democracy and human dignity.
Through their narratives and recorded testimonies, future historians can paint a picture that encompasses their motivations, intentions, and outcomes, elements that are sorely missing in the scant literature available today.
Such a reimagining is not solely a recounting of past events, but also an essential building block for the future, allowing young Liberians to learn from the successes and mistakes of the generation that came before them.
As we push to reinvigorate our historical narrative, it is equally important to reflect on the role of contemporary scholarship in shaping Liberia’s historical consciousness.
There exists a plethora of untold stories, some locked away in the hearts and minds of Liberians who lived through the revolution, others trapped in forgotten archives.
By opening dialogues among scholars, revolutionaries, and young people, we can unearth these narratives, thus creating a collective understanding of our nation’s evolution.
Moreover, such efforts to solidify Liberia’s civic history are not merely an academic exercise; they are a civic duty.
The future of Liberia is closely tied to its citizens’ engagement with the past.
The stories that we tell today will inevitably shape the identities of our future generations.
Will we pass on the tales of courage and resilience that fuel our national pride? Or will we perpetuate a cycle of ignorance that distances the youth from their roots?
The responsibility lies with those who participated in past uprisings and revolutionary acts to provide the younger generation with clarity and a sense of purpose.
In addition, it is vital to recognize that a robust civic history serves as an antidote against the manipulation of their narratives for political gain.
By supporting historical rigor and encouraging public discourse on the complexities of the past, they can fortify Liberian society against the emergence of divisive politics rooted in selective memory.
The revolutionary leaders who will undertake this project of narrating Liberia’s contemporary history stand not only as historians but also as guardians of a truth that can bind Liberians together in their diversity.
It is vital that the teaching of Liberia’s history reflects the multifaceted experiences of its people.
Mathematician Sizi Goyah, “Textbooks must no longer present a one-dimensional portrayal of events but rather embrace the divergent perspectives that saw the nation linger in stagnation and conflict.
Schools should foster the idea that history is a dynamic conversation, evolving with every new inquiry and interpretation.”
Additionally, integrating oral histories from revolutionaries provides a rich, textured understanding of the human experience behind the events that shook the nation to its core
The establishment of partnerships among local educational institutions, international scholars, and organizations dedicated to preserving Liberia’s heritage can also help amplify these narratives.
Workshops and forums encouraging firsthand accounts from revolutionaries can provide invaluable material for future historians and create a spirit of collaboration among generations
Furthermore, digital accessibility of historical archives and documents will ensure that all Liberians can engage with the narratives being developed.
The appeal for Liberia’s key revolutionaries to document and share their histories is not just a request; it is a necessity.
The time has come for them to rise and articulate their experiences, motivations, and reflections on their roles in critical historical moments.
The narrative that emerges must be inclusive and comprehensive, a living testament to Liberians collective identity.
Only through the honest retelling of their past can they empower youth with knowledge and pride, equipping them to navigate an increasingly complex world.
As the nation stands on the precipice of its future, it is clear: to understand who Liberians are today, they must strive to uncover and learn from who they were yesterday.
Today, let every air-breathing Liberian write the unwritten chapters of Liberia’s history and inspire future generations to foster hope grounded in truth, remembrance, and shared aspirations for a brighter tomorrow.