From: one love
Date: Fri Nov 26, 2004 6:20 am
Subject: One Love

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Hello Gebre,
I must say that was beautifully said... Maybe there is a higher purpose for
everything we have been through...call it punishment from God or a lesson for a
better future...I do believe that we must unite to ensure a better future for
our children and their children. But most confuse Unity with loss of
Individuality which is further from the Truth...Unity is a factor of individuals
who have their own identity, be it Eritrean/Ethiopian but come together for a
bigger purpose. What is our bigger purpose? It is that we are all people of
one color, one experience, living under one continent, ruled and guided by One
God. Our purpose should be to uplift each other. It is believing that the
success of one is the success of all. It is knowing that we have each others
back. But in order to move forward we have to acknowledge that we are all
responsible for what is happening in our countries and continent. We are still
sitting here waiting for someone to come and rescue us from the mess
we have put ourselves in. The craziest part is, if this continues we will
suffer even greater in the future because what we do today multiplies for us in
the future. I don't think we are being punished by God, rather we are being
taught by God. Since we are human and carry many such flaws, we have to
continuously be tested and at times scolded by our Father. If we understood the
bible, then we would know that those God has chosen were always tested and at
times punished (Job, Abraham, etc). But they never lost sight of their belief
or their purpose for they knew that it was for their growth as human beings. So
why don't we take these lessons or punishments as you call them and use it for a
better cause. Which is to uplift our people and improve our country. But, this
is the opposite of what is happening today. We have actually taken it even
further so as to hurt and blame each other....We have lost sight of our greater
purpose and are lost in the mess of it all. We use
misinformed and misguided historical incidents to hate and kill each other.
The problem is that the hate and anger does not go away. We feed it to our
children who in turn pass it on to their children. The incident is long gone,
but people's heart turns to concrete and shuts out their brothers/siters who
look, act and are like them. Whether we like it or not, Eritrea is an
independent country. But we can't ignore that we are all one people and share
one history and land. Although we are now two separate countries, there is no
historical fact that makes us separate people. In order to find peace and
understanding, we must embrace that we are two separate countries but
acknowledge that we do share a past and history. We need to work on improving
our individual countries without bitterness or hatred towards each other. The
war and death of all those who fought for independence will be in vain if you
continue to harbor feelings of hatred or try to find ways to destroy Ethiopia.
You did get your independence and we have all accepted that fact and moved on.
So for the betterment of our beloved countries, lets move on and uplift our
people to look ahead. Let all the past hatred and anger disolve. You
concetrate on improving Eritrea as we try to do the same for Ethiopia. We can
all be proud of our culture/country and still remain peaceful in the process.
We can wish each other well and even work together for the betterment of our
countries and people. Maybe, after all is said and done we will find out that
all people of African decent are one and will work on improving the lives of all
those who share this ancectry and no longer seperate be it by ethnicity,
religion or language. Peace....
Gebremedhin Samuel wrote:
Filom and Salem

This is encouraging - dialogue.

We Ethiopians (Land of the dark skinned people - Africa) must unite otherwise we
will continue to self destruct and the "system" will contnue to encourage it.

Before we talk about God protecting Ethiopia etc. we must first understand who
God is to us and then understand the history of Ethiopia and its relationship
with God as recorded in the Bible.

The so called Jewish people are suffering because of disobedience. They are
still awaiting for the Messiah. So are Christains on the wrong track?

Why sould the Ethiopians/Eritreans not suffer? Most Ethiopians/Eritreans
(native born) look at their histroy through the eyes of European propoganda.
So most Eritreans cannot understand the devastating consequences of the
"Scramble for Africa" whihc took place in the 1800's and the painful decisions
Emperor Menelik had to make concerning Eritrea to this day.

Ethiopians on the other hand allowed themselves to be ruled by a marksist
dictatorship for almost 30 years introducing an ungoldy brand of government to a
people who have lived for centuries a Theocratic way of life. Even the
Presidents name during this Red Terror period was a contradiction - Mengistu
Haile Mariam (Government of the Power of Mary - am I right ?) Of course
Ethiopia needed change to be in line with the modern times but what was chosen
was so far removed that it could not and would not have lasted even if the USSR
were still in power today. Have we ever consider a Constitutional Monarchy like
the Europeans have done? do we consider ourselves Africans just as a person
from any State in Amercia considers himself first to be Amercian even though he
may come from a State with its own laws but suject to the Federal Government?

Now both Ethiopians and Eritrans are scattered throughout the disapora just like
any other African. All out begging for a better way of life and all down crying
their government and their country which they all allowed to take root. This is
happening whilst all the Fernejs (Indians, Asians, Europeans, Lebanese etc. are
taking up very good positions and business and other affiaris of our countries).
Historically both Ethiopia and Eritrea stood together to maintian their
soveringty and integrity. Today they stand across the road from each other in
the Ferenjs land hurling abuse at each other - to the acceptable amusement of
the "system".

Ethiopia/Eritrea is blessed by God and is protected by God but as a Father
disciplines his children so God will continue to chastise all Africans until
they return to God. The Jews will in time acclaim that the Messaih has come
which will be the antichrist (as some argue) as even the elect may be tempted
but we know that they Messiah has already come and was rejected by his own as
they did with all the Prophets that was sent to them right down to the Apostles.
That is why the stone that the builders refused became the chief cornerstone.

Loive life. Love your courntry. Love your continent. Unite and be strong. Be
at peace with each other. Forgive each other. If you go to an Orthodox Chruch
or a contemprorary church both believe in the forgiving nature of Christ but
man continues to be a hyprocrite. Pray on Sunday's and curse each other for the
rest of the week with a determinied unwillingness to forgive each other..

Gebre Medhin Samuel

Nairobi, Kenya.


Selam Yesten wrote:
Filmon,

Thanks for the response. Let me start by saying I respect and command you for
being man enough to respond back respectfully, unlike some people who are
demanding to have me removed from the group. People why are you all so afraid to
have an open discussion with the other side? If you are upset at what I say
challenge me back so that way both you and I will learn. Remember if you are
never challenged and your beliefs are always confirmed by those who believe in
the same things as you, you will run the risk of being brain washed and close
minded.

Filmon, you made an excellent point and I totally agree with you. I can honestly
understand why you would have problem with me saying Ethiopia is protected by
god. However when I said that if you notice I said Ethiopia not Ethiopians. The
reason for that is because the point I was making was about the country not the
people and if you notice I stated that the land both ours and yours are one and
connected never to be seperated. So another word when I say Ethiopia that
includes all of Ethiopia including Eritrea. The reason both Ethiopians and
Eritreans are suffering is because of our own flows as human beings such as
greed, hatred, anymosity, jealousy and all the other qualities that is not god
like. The point of my email was to get both Ethiopians and Eritreans to see
their flaws and mistakes so that both can work on restoring peace. If you reread
the entire email you will see nowhere did I ever say Ethiopians are protected by
god.

Because I said I was Ethiopian most people got defensive which made them
question my sincerity preventing their ability to read it objectively. Most
people assumed because I said I was Ethiopian that I was anti-Eritrean which
could not have been further from the truth. Any negative comment I made about
Eritreans was about the Eritreans who were born in Addis Abeba and lived all
their lives there and now are claiming their Eritreaness but still trying to
hold on to their Ethiopianess for benefit of course. So any comment I made about
them I meant and stand by and will not apologize.

Let me ask you all, although I did say I was Ethiopian, do any of you know what
ethnic group I belong to? How do you know what I am for sure? Just a thought to
ponder!

"FREE YOUR MIND AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW!!!!"
Filmon Tekeste wrote:
O.K. my brother. I understood the point Selam was making, I guess my problem
with everything lays with the issue of God and the "protection" that Ethiopia,
as you say,has been given. I know that sounds crazy to you so please stay calm
while I try to explain myself. Through my studies of civilizations throughout
history and even within todays nations, those who placed or segregated God as
their own protector have all fallen victim to defeats from other nations.
Confused right? O.k. like for example, the Jews are said to be the chosen
people, but yet throughout history they have been driven out of their homeland,
murdered etc. The U.S. now has taken this whole "God is an American" thing to
where they believe that their actions against third world nations are backed by
God. I mean I can go on and on, but I guess the main thing is that if God is
protecting Ethiopia then why have our people (yes I said our people because I
see no division) have suffered the greatest amount of pain that I
can find in the world. Why do we loss more people due to hunger, and disease
than we loss when we are at war with each other. Why has God, since you say
works through man, has allowed us to remain stupid for so long while the
so-called "first worlds" enjoy and profit from our deaths? What makes
Ethiopia/us any different from anyone else? and please don't tell me;" because
it is written" people for many years have interpreted the word of God
differently.
So for me I don't believe God is going to free us from this past/current
situation that we are in. I think we as human beings have to wake up and do for
self. For if sit, and wait, and pray all day all we have done is just
that:sit,waited and prayed while our children cry themselves to sleep, many
losing faith in a God that allows them to wake up to a world unwilling to give
him/her peace. what do we tell them? Shouldn't we take it upon ourselves and do
what we know God would do, to feed, cloth,care, and teach our young that love is
the only key to humanity? But may be I'm reading to much into all this. I do
believe in God, but I read that he gave man this thing called "Free Will" which
allows him/her to choose their destiny and not wait for magic, but may be I'm
wrong. I guess your right Ethiopia is protected by God, so those hungry children
I see everyday on T.V. are nothing more than a small portion of the population.


Selam Yesten wrote:


Note: forwarded message attached.


---------------------------------
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> ATTACHMENT part 2 message/rfc822
To: ethiopiawinet@yahoogroups.com
From: Gebremedhin Samuel
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 11:51:55 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Re: [ethiopiawinet] Re: [ Gezana™ ] What a
re you dying for?

My dear Brother Filmon,

I do hope you take time off to consider the real point my sister Selam was
making.

Throughout history Ethiopia has been able to maintain her age old independence
except for the brief occupation by the Fascist Italians.

The fact that others assisted her in maintaining that independence is not the
point in issue nor is it that the glory should be given to another. God who is
spirit does all things in the spirit but it is manifested physically so that man
can comprehend it.

So as an individual who prays fervently for Gods assistance in some personal
matter gets the support through another individual who God causes to come to
your aid, the assistance does not just fall from the sky, likewise Ethiopia
has been able to maintain her independence and will continue to do so long as
God continues to keep his word which we all know he never retracts.

Be blessed my brother.

Gebre Medhin Samuel
Nairobi Kenya.

Selam Yesten wrote:
Filmon,

Thank you for your response as well. I think you misunderstood my point. I was
not saying Ethiopia defeated these countries except for Italy which we
rightfully defeated with no help from the outside as you mentioned. If you have
any doubt about that ask anyone or read it for yourself as the whole world can
testify that truth. But anyway my point was that Ethiopia the country is
protected by God and anyone who ever tried to destroy Ethiopia has gotten theirs
back not necessarily from us directly but from just life itself. You know the
saying "karma is a b*tch" and "what goes around comes around". All those
countries I listed were example of countries who had intention of destroying
Ethiopia and what she stands for who got theirs back. So if you stop being
defensive you will see that to be true. For instance from talking to my muslim
friends, I found out that the Koran forbids muslims from ever attacking Ethiopia
and even my somalian friend has admitted to me that the biggest mistake
they have ever made was to attack Ethiopia and that they regret and have
learned from that. By me saying that I hope I don't come across like I am saying
we are superior or something because I don't feel that way at all. My purpose of
the email was to get you to see that Ethiopia is not your enemy and to get you
to see who your real enemy is. I am Ethiopian and very proud of it but in no way
do I ever defend ethnic differences, wars, hatred. I believe every Ethnic group
should be respected, acknowledged and that all are equall and should have equal
right to Ethiopia. Ethiopia is one but belongs to all EQUALLY. More importantly
I believe in pan-africanism and the unity of ALL black people around the world
for we are all ONE people. I don't stand for division and hatred but rather
unity and love. At the end of the day after all this fight, argument and hatred,
reality is we are one people fighting one another over some bs that means
absolutely nothing in the end because guess what no
matter what we do or how many artificial boundaries we establish both our lands
are connected and are part of each other and no matter what will always part of
all our great mother Ethiopia.

Peace & Love

Filmon Tekeste wrote:

Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to clear up a little historical error made by Selam's statement,
which stated " Take this as a warning, throughout history any one who ever tired
to "F" with Ethiopia has gotten "F" back 'really bad' (that's the real funny
part) If you don't believe me look at what happened to previous Ethiopia's
enemies"
and he went on to list the "Enemies" that Ethiopia defeated: Italians, Somalians
& U.S.S.R

As a historian it is my duty to correct those who choose to twist history for
their own personal gain. So here it goes: First the ONLY WAY that Ethiopia
defeated (if you want to call it a defeat, for no man is given the victory of
war) the Somalians was only due through the help of the CUBAN government
(Castro/ Ernesto Che Guevara's in their "Vision of a free Africa" read about
it), The U.S.S.R simply left Ethiopia, & the Italians were defeated only through
the help of Europe. So I really don't understand your threat or warning, were
you trying to say "don't mess with Ethiopia because they'll get all of their
'interest group' and beat you? " or maybe your pride was getting in your way of
the facts and allowed you to forget the LARGE helping hand Ethiopia received.
But you know pride is the main issue here, it has been the causes for all wars
throughout history. So before you "warn" us about watching out for "Bad Old
Ethiopia", put your pride aside and may be you can see we are all
the same people, lets not make the same mistakes our fathers and mothers did
before us. Please live and let live.
Peace,
Filmon

Selam Yesten wrote:


I am writing to the group as a whole to understand your cause without being
defensive. Can someone please help me honestly understand what you are all dying
for? What is it you are really fighting for and is it all worth it in the end? I
tried to honestly understand your cause and your reasoning behind it and I just
don’t get it. From my understanding you feel that you were mistreated by
Ethiopians and regard Ethiopia as your enemy, although I disagree with at,
perhaps being an Ethiopian I would feel that way, whereas you may well be
justified for feeling the way that you do.

For the record though, just so you know, Ethiopia never had any hate for you
before and actually still does not. Those of you who were born in Eritrea and
have never lived in Ethiopia, I would like to tell you that you were all
misinformed. Yes it is true that you suffered under Mengistu and even perhaps
under Haile Sellassie, but let me tell you so did we. All of you assumed because
they mistreated you that we collectively were in on it, forgetting the fact that
we suffered just as equally under these same governments. Your assumption has
been and continue to be that because the government happened to be the same
ethnic group as us that we were all benefiting with them and hurting you all in
the process. That could not have been further from the truth. As you are seeing
for yourself now with your own ethnic/country man (isayas Aferweki) in power how
much you are suffering. So I am sure that by now you know, just because the
president or king might be one of you, does not mean he has
your back and will look out for you. Mengistu and Haile Sellassie for the most
part helped and looked out for those in power with them and their own families.
The common Ethiopian especially during the Mengistu regime suffered and died
just like you.

So contrary to the popular belief, let me be the first to tell you that Ethiopia
is not nor has never been the enemy, your enemy has been and continues to be
yourselves and of course Italy. If you don’t believe me ask those of your people
who were born in Addis and lived all their lives there. They will tell you how
Ethiopians never discriminated against them for being Eritreans. In fact most of
them lived better than most Ethiopians as business owners and as the majority
recipient of Haile Sellassie’s scholarship program abroad. If you don’t believe
me go to any university library in the U.S where they have a year book of the
students who came to the U.S on these scholarships and you will see for yourself
that more than 50% of them were Eritreans. See my brothers and sisters if you
really did your history, you will find out for yourself that Ethiopia was never
and still is not the enemy. Since you obviously don’t know any better, I am not
even mad at you, actually I feel sorry for
you and my heart really goes out to you. I ask that god helps you out of this
mess you seem to have gotten yourself into and guide you to peace and love. Your
heart is filled with so much hatred that it is making you incapable of seeing
the truth and is ultimately destroying you at your own hands.

Now those of you Eritreans who were born in Ethiopia and lived most of your
lives in Addis Abeba and didn't even have a clue where and what Eritrea looked
like before the "independence", you are a disgrace to your cause and ought to be
ashamed of yourself. As far as I am concerned you are nothing but a backstabbing
opportunist who jump on the bandwagon of what is comfortable and beneficial to
your lives. You wear the Eritrean pride banner when it is convenient but you
will also flip it and try to pass as Ethiopians when there is opportunity with
that too. You are like double edge swords. Instead of teaching your brothers and
sisters in Eritrea who fought the fight hands on, while you lavishly lived in
Ethiopia. Knowing first hand that Ethiopia had nothing but love for them and
you, you were out where ever you were feeding them lies perpetuating this
meaningless feud and you continue to do this even today. As far as I am
concerned the real enemy of Eritrea is in fact you because you
keep pushing the propaganda and brain washing of "evil Ethiopia". While they are
dying and fighting this non-ending war, you continue to lavishly live in
Ethiopia and abroad, benefiting of their blood and misery. Even now that you
have your so called independence, those of you who live abroad, when you finally
decide to return "home" most of you continue to go Ethiopia and some even had
the nerve to move there for good. That is of course until that sweet bitter day,
when you had your asses deported out of there. God there is justice!

Answer me this, if you can, if in fact you were so mistreated then why is it
then that now that you have gotten your "independence" that you are still trying
to be in Ethiopia and among Ethiopians? It makes absolutely no sense to me to
fight for "independence" for some 30 some years and then have the audacity to
think you are entitled to live in Ethiopia, hold two passports, and think that
you deserve an equal right to Ethiopia. I do not think so. Then to be
embarrassed and have the world witness your deportation from Ethiopia. Even
worse to plead for the chance to be granted to come back to Ethiopia and be
granted the privilege to live with a residence card, something similar to a
green card. How embarrassing! Even abroad, one can not go to an Ethiopian
restaurant or event and not see one of you socializing with us. If we are such
the enemy why are you still among us?

In the beginning because we saw you all as one of us, we naively did all that we
could to keep you as one of us. But once you declared your independence and
tried to potray us to the rest of the world as "colonizers" who mistreated you,
when we in fact loved you and thought you were one of us, that was the day we
Ethiopians finally have accepted the fact that you are not and never have been
one of us and bid farewell to you. So my question to you is why don't you all
take the farewell once and for all and stay out of Ethiopia and live in your
"independent" country. Do not go to Ethiopia for vacation, business, and
especially to live there. If you hate us so much then just stay the hell away
from us and do your thing.

Just a thought for you to keep in mind and ponder, do you ever see any of us at
any of your restaurants, events or even planning a visit to Eritrea? Trust me
when I tell you that will never happen. See that is the clear difference between
us and you guys, we would die for our pride which you obviously have none of.
We, unlike you would rather die before we ever step foot in your country
whatever the reason might be. If let’s say we were starving with no food or
water and your country was flourishing with wealth, food and water, we would
rather die starving in our own beautiful land with our pride intact than to ever
come to your mercy.

Take this as a warning, throughout history any one who ever tried to f*ck with
Ethiopia has gotten f*cked back really bad. If you don't believe me look at what
happened to previous Ethiopia's enemies:

1. Italians - devastated by world war II

2. Somalians - no need to give example as we all know what happened there

3. USSR- no longer exist as we knew it then

4. Eritrea - we are all witnessing each day no good has come to you since you
parted from us and if you don't stop more bad things will continue to happen. I
am not wishing you bad, just warning you to stop while you can and live in peace
in your own "independent" country and leave Ethiopia alone.

It is a fact Ethiopia is protected by god always has and always will. No one can
ever destroy Ethiopia and I don't care who you are or what country you come from
or how powerful you may seem to be. To my Ethiopian brothers and sisters, as I
am saying this please know I am also referring to any one of us internally who
are plotting to destroy Ethiopia by using ethnic differences for their own
personal gain, you too take a lesson and stop it. Ethiopia is one but belongs
equally to all. No one ethnic group is better than another nor is one more
entitled to rule versus the other. We all belong to Ethiopia and Ethiopia
belongs to us all equally. So lets stop the hate and work towards the peace and
love which we all desperetaly need. Where there is peace and love there is God!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3747600.stm

http://www.denden.com/Conflict/deportees/klein-0898.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3727661.stm

http://www.geocities.com/dagmawi.geo/News/Views_Nov7_Deportations.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/07/99/battle_in_the_horn/396203.s
tm