As an Ethiopian Muslim I have a complicated relationship with the legacy of Emperor Menelik.
I recognize his leadership for achieving the Victory of #Adwa & keeping Ethiopia free. However, he is not ‘Emiye’ for me or my community. He is a man of his times and history is complex
I recognize his leadership for achieving the Victory of #Adwa & keeping Ethiopia free. However, he is not ‘Emiye’ for me or my community. He is a man of his times and history is complex
Somebody’s hero is a villain in another’s version of history. And that’s okay. That’s how life is.
Menelik’s contribution to Ethiopia and his leadership is etched in history. No amount of revisionism or omission will succeed and frankly is so petty and disgusting.
Menelik’s contribution to Ethiopia and his leadership is etched in history. No amount of revisionism or omission will succeed and frankly is so petty and disgusting.
No amount of glorifying a fallible man will absolve him of atrocities committed during his quest for power. Denying this history is the source of distrust, division and pain in our nation.
I wish we all had a balanced perspective of our leaders former or current. But too often we either vilify or worship them, no in between.
I grew up vilifying Menelik and his regime because my view was one-sided.
My views were similar for all leaders after him too. One sided.
I grew up vilifying Menelik and his regime because my view was one-sided.
My views were similar for all leaders after him too. One sided.
Reading, listening, interacting with his fans and frankly taking emotions out of learning about history is what helped me open up.
Too often we are too emotionally invested and therefore biased in our reading & understanding of the past.
Let’s not ruin our present & future.
Too often we are too emotionally invested and therefore biased in our reading & understanding of the past.
Let’s not ruin our present & future.
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