ETHIOPIAN TOURNAMENT FACTIONS THWART OUR TRADITIONAL VALUES

The establishment of Annual Ethiopian Soccer Tournament in Australia has been special not only for organizing to play soccer, but it reflects our tradition of family values by creating an atmosphere of unity, friendship and reunion.
This event was especially enjoyed by young Ethiopians who are growing up in Australia attending the event every year. The festival has planted a burning sense of nationalism as well as pride about who we are and the unity they trying to reflect.

                                              1996 Melbourne Ethiopian Tournament
For parents who have been telling their kids, how Ethiopians are good and that Ethiopian culture is special is a great opportunity to prove what they are talking about.
There were plenty of Ethiopian manners such as politeness, humbleness and respect around the ground while everyone in attendance was very happy to be among fellow countrymen and have a good time.
For the children of Ethiopia, events of the past 14 or more years and experimentation with alien ideology have brought only misery and divisiveness. While those who carried on this experimentation are getting older, the younger generation is seeking to try something different.

Ethiopian Soccer Tournament shined because it was fuelled by its participants' strength and character, indicative of the richness of Ethiopian culture. It also showed what Ethiopian values are individually and collectively. That is why this event was attended by huge number of young Ethiopians. One of them told me that nationalism and togetherness is the way to go for the young people.
In light of many negative news reports out of and about Ethiopia, and the polarizing political climate, the event provided a source of comfort, a display of nationalist feeling and a sense of togetherness.

Ethiopian Soccer Tournament is a beacon to all Ethiopians, the Ethiopia's politicians and leaders that the answer to the needs of Ethiopia is not found in alien ideologies and dividing cultures, but in each of us as we work together in solidarity for the common goals.
It is important to note that what keep this organization going are its founding principles which all of us like. These principles make it a non-political, inclusive, sports and cultural organization.

As in every other year, this year's event was not without controversy. The two big issues were whether the Ethio-Australian Soccer Federation should receive as much exposure that it got, and if it was appropriate for the federation to continue to form a new soccer tournament organization instead of strengthening the already existing club under one collective name working together with the sports & cultural body affiliated with Ethiopian community Association of Victoria dealing with the nature of sports & cultural organization unless otherwise both parties agreed to do all other businesses reaching at resolution not revolution.

Even if need be to work as a separate body of sports & cultural festivities federation, no issues are so important for all stake holders or factions and communities not to organize these once a year only social events in agreement or harmony.
Particularly, the acceptance of other sports factions and the federation was in question because of the influence it might have on the founding principles of our unity in the community and thwarts our tradition by creating divisions instead of unifications. God knows who is confusing who, as I only rely on my intuition of unity no matter what issues they (the differing groups) may have.

As we all know, last year’s annual Ethiopian soccer tournament was organized in two cities, Sydney and Adelaide, organizers failing to reach an agreement if there was one. Since the annual tournament events’ inception, Ethiopians from all Australian States have been coming together once a year, meeting as one Ethiopia to enjoy the soccer games and other social festivities. It is a time Ethiopians get together, not only for the sporting events, but for family reunions, cultural events and friendship. This gracious yearly event was principally initiated by an individual business owner whose idea was entirely reflected on organizing a cultural festive season for everyone annually. As time went by, everyone believed it is a free Ethiopian day festival ought to be organized by the Ethiopian Community Association rather than business ventures.

Although, this concept was precipitated by the community’s weakness, it obviously has come a long way to get where it is today. It is not very difficult to list who did what. It only can be said the hard work and dedication of those who are involved has paid off by making our community the longest functioning Ethiopian organization and still growing.

It was disheartening to see instead of collectively organizing the tournament; different factions were formed to organize events the same day as the Ethiopian community’s annual gathering. United, we conquer, divided we fall; the festival was inevitably divided between the factions and the community. While some members of the community attended the already formed Ethiopian community’s tournament, new members and young Ethiopians took part in the new factions and some found commonality and attended both tournaments in a bid to harmonize both parties and not to abandon their friendship in both as Ethiopiawinet.
As thousands of Ethiopians converged on Melbourne’s western suburbs for the year’s events in 2008, where both factions’ tournaments took place, Ethiopian flags, music, food, colors and sports drew young and old, men and women and Ethiopians originating from most every region of Ethiopia. These Ethiopians now live in many different cities and states throughout Australia, but they have not forgotten their Ethiopian roots. Despite the divisions, no other event has drawn more Ethiopians in the Diaspora to celebrate the beauty, diversity and joy of their cultural heritage than this one week in a year—a week that is super-charged with “everything Ethiopian.”

Although, there were not much of business stake holders at the ground, few were there to sell Ethiopian cuisines, jewellery and costumes. I am sure it would have been huge festival had plenty of Ethiopian business owners been notified to participate and had the tournament been organized by one united community in this once a year amicable gathering. The same scenario is repeating again and again like that of the political situation back home.

I was struck with the image of what a powerful force would emerge if such unity, joy and enthusiasm for Ethiopia could somehow be captured and used as the building blocks for the “one soccer tournament” I have been envisioning! Nowhere did I see this more than in the young Ethiopians who loved their heritage and each other without regard to tribalism, racial biases, factionalism and divisions found among older Ethiopians. This is the “New Ethiopia” of tomorrow that I saw on their faces. Imagine what we Ethiopians in the Diaspora could do in tackling our problems if we could transport such unity and openness to those in Ethiopia, not only to our families, but also to the greater family of Ethiopia.

However, on the other hand, I feared they were detached from the harsh realities of real life in Ethiopia. We rarely see any young people at any of the Ethiopian community meetings. Most everyone at these meetings is over thirty years of age. But at any soccer or social events and at the soccer presentation nights and New Year events, most everyone was under that age.

I wondered what would happen if older Ethiopians could embrace the youths’ view that placed little emphasis on ethnicity, political affinity, regional divisions and racial prejudices. I believe older parents are not including their children in the know what, why, when and how of the Ethiopian problem let alone some of the older ones fully participate in the community sector. I also wondered how well the youth understood the level of oppression, tyranny and hardship that Ethiopians were facing back home and wondered why no young people were attending the meetings. I then decided that the better of these two separate realities could be the answer. The question is how can we combine the best of both and act on it?

As I saw those flag waving happy young people, I was overwhelmed with the hope that somehow, this love of Ethiopia, alongside the joy of living in a free country like Australia with its openness and acceptance of other nationalities irrespective of its implicit racism, could somehow be channelled into these young people, by their parents, community and activity organizers, deeply caring about those stuck in the current situation and tragedy of life within Ethiopia. I wondered whether the gap between these two realities could come together to form a greater youth movement to free Ethiopia.

I also wondered whether older Ethiopians could learn from the youth who saw each other as “equally Ethiopian.” The youth were not being divided against one another based on ethnic suspicions and loyalties, regional background, political alliances, religious views and cultural backgrounds like their parents. Here in Australia, it is no longer mattered so much at least to the young people whose only joy is to get together and play soccer and have fun until they find out themselves where they truly belong.

In Ethiopia, something like ethnic loyalty and achieving dominance over other groups was equated with opportunity and even basic survival. Here it was equated with competition over who would win the soccer games—two different worlds.
The openness of the youth to each other showed a glimpse of a promising possibility—that if you the reader, not only the politicians, activists or educated Ethiopians, could change in this setting, we could change in another.

Despite the negative problems of Ethiopia, it makes me feel very happy to be part of it. When you look around, you see a rich background of Ethiopian images. You might notice the Ethiopian flags circling the stands or peaceful Ethiopians walking—young and old—smiling, holding the hands of their young children and perhaps, wearing Ethiopian flags on their clothing. You do not see the differences of ethnicity, but instead, you see people as Ethiopians or simply, people as people—all beautiful and unique.

Seventy per cent of the people at the soccer ground were young, meaning under the age of 35. They were showing their patronage of anything Ethiopia—buying Ethiopian flags, T-shirts with Ethiopian images and words, Ethiopian CDs with Ethiopian music and Ethiopian food. Hundreds of Ethiopians packed into the pavilion to watch the mini traditional dances of different Ethiopian ethnic cultural celebration before the game.

I have often talked about my dream of the diversity of Ethiopians becoming a beautiful society. What I saw at the soccer field were simply “Ethiopians,” not tribes, political groups or factions. What I saw was a momentary display of that beautiful society of Ethiopia, with all its diversity and complexity. I saw the solidarity in this society of different colours, shapes and sizes.
People frequently ask me what my wish is for Ethiopia and I can tell you, I saw it that day. I saw the dancing and the joy. I saw my society that I have lived and been dreaming about. I saw humanity before ethnicity. I looked at the beauty of each person as a unique human being. I saw the solidarity for a New Ethiopia. I temporarily disconnected from the harsh reality of what is going on in Ethiopia through participating in this celebration of our differences. When the music ended I was brought back to reality and the joy I had experienced was replaced with the knowledge that our family of Ethiopians were dying back home. I wanted all the more for this beautiful society to include them.

Those at the soccer field all seemed to be so in love with Ethiopia; yet, there was something missing - not only an understanding of how bad things were in Ethiopia, but a lack of involvement in changing the downward direction of the country. At every meeting, I saw no young people giving input or becoming involved. Those making the decisions for the future of Ethiopia were all older. Ninety-nine percent of them were men. I wondered where the women were too.

I also wondered why a whole generation of young Ethiopians is so disconnected from what will really change Ethiopia. Their love of the country will do nothing without action. Those young Ethiopians buying Ethiopian flags, T-shirts and so on should be taught and told about their country and that the future of the country is in their hands.
I was brought back to the reality of the children of Ethiopia who are dying because of the lack of clean water, malaria, or the lack of child and maternal health care. I think of the Ogadeni, Afar, Oromo or Anuak young women or girls who have been viciously sexually assaulted or raped by the military—the same military agents of the current regime who are supposed to be protecting them, but instead brutalizing them with impunity.

I think of those young and old who have spoken out against such abuses and ended up in jail. Consider the reality of life for the beggar, for the young girls selling their bodies because they have nothing to eat, the crying mother because she has no food for her children and for those running from Ethiopia for opportunity, but dying on the road or on board ships in the Red Sea instead of realizing their dreams of freedom while crossing to the unknown world or destinations.

I was brought to the reality of Meles making Ethiopia landlocked and then giving Ethiopian land to Sudan and foreign profiteers. And now he is gone, his protégé has taken over promising to finish what Meles has started. I think of how he has sent Ethiopian young men by force, with no choice, to die in a foreign land - Somalia.

I thought about the lack of acceptance between Ethiopians when someone will not like another Ethiopian simply because they are Oromo, Tigrayan, Gurage, Amhara, Adere, and Gambela or of some other ethnic background. I then thought about the divisions between leaders in our political organizations, religious organizations, and civic institutions who will not agree to disagree for the sake of a better Ethiopia. The reality of living with such hatred is that it robs us of our unity, joy and future as a country.

Gone are the naïve old days where activists and politicians design an ideology, strategy, and tactics, and tell everyone that their way is the best way. The only goal now is some form of institutionalized democracy and pluralism. The rest is flexible - whatever it takes to get there. One must be flexible while appearing decisive.

All of these realities hit me so much harder after I saw the solidarity we are trying to produce while creating divisions in institutions like soccer tournaments and the community. It is a tragedy filled with self-righteousness, greed and power motivated by personal ego attempting to create or build another dam instead of trying to find the solution to the fall out to the already established institution and rebuilding it in a united effort. This brought me to the reality that the purpose of living in this world is to live to the fullest of our purposes that God has given to every person. That nearly always means living with compassion and commitment for the well-being of others, going beyond a selfish existence where we focus only on our selves, those close to us or our families to say the least.

This reality of life for Ethiopians back home is vastly different than the Ethiopia being celebrated at this event. To this event Ethiopia is an illusion and any shreds of reality still attached to it are further disintegrating. As I celebrated with the bright and hopeful faces of young Ethiopians, I celebrated their solidarity and joy as I mourned in my heart for my people back home in Ethiopia and for those living here who unable to create solidarity and live in harmony, acceptance and compassion for all Ethiopians irrespective of ethnicity and build one community, many communities if need be, nonetheless, one Ethiopia.

I was reminded why I am doing what I am. I yearn for the two worlds to come together. Wake up and join the Struggle: Young people and women are a powerhouse in the struggle and making change for the better.
These young people at the soccer already have the mindset of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and equal rights between mixes of many people. They have gone to school in the West and have adopted the thinking that has formed the West. It now comes naturally to them without the baggage of the past failures of Ethiopian society. They know Australian people welcomed their parents to enjoy the freedom and opportunity to pursue their ambition with all its ups and downs. If this huge group of well-tolerated and educated Ethiopians could become engaged in changing Ethiopia, they would be a formidable force for good.

It will take a mindset that is willing to bear another’s burdens as a God-given opportunity to stand in the gap for their fellow countrymen and country women. Do they have the compassion and commitment to join the struggle for the future of Ethiopia? I think so, for if they do not, the Ethiopia they celebrate every year in such solidarity will continue to only be an illusion of what could have been. If they join their elders, along with the women, and challenge all Ethiopian political parties & politicians with what is really on their minds and hearts or if they tell them to stop this division or if they confront leaders who are going in the wrong direction to change or to step aside, they would have a tremendous impact.

At the same time, all new attendees could learn about the real Ethiopia and what happened to wreak havoc on Ethiopian society. It would open up the possibility of creating the solidarity in Ethiopia. We have much to do if we are to create this healthy environment at home.
Let’s even think of simple first steps. Imagine if all the attendees at this event would give just two dollars for the advancement of Ethiopia or to the starving children in Southern Ethiopia right now! With a group effort, they could build provide food, agricultural support, clean water, a hospital, a school, an orphanage, invest in developing private enterprise opportunities in the country or advance human rights and democracy in Ethiopia.

Young Ethiopians should not underestimate themselves. There is so much they could do to build respect, unity and reconciliation between people and community. They should consider taking on the cause of justice and human rights.
This is not about taking political sides. The youth can help older Ethiopians understand the meaning of working together in harmony without prejudices. Those older in the community should not protect them from the truth of the situation. Only then will we be able to realize the dream of a New Ethiopia!

My experience with these young people is I played soccer tournaments with them and I mentored them while I was serving as the President of Ethiopian Community’s Soccer Club by organizing soccer games in the Football Federation of Victoria in 2006. I surprised many by attending and playing soccer with them at my age which they find it very encouraging, an exemplary and positive act to follow.

I cannot get the idea out of my mind about what could happen if this young, talented, energetic and well-equipped group of Ethiopians awakened to take part in our struggle for a New Ethiopia. My question is can we help them bridge the gap between these two disconnected Ethiopians.
I am sharing these thoughts with you so that we, with help of each and individual interest, might bring these dreams into reality in Ethiopia, transforming a barren and harsh desert into a lush, spring-fed garden that could bring long-lasting sustenance and tranquillity to the soul of Ethiopians.

I believe organizing the tournament in every state in turn with a mutual agreement or the state where the majority of Ethiopians reside would be an ideal and also help to unite us and make it truly the peoples’ event forever, and help our tournament continue to be not only a shining model for Ethiopians, but an opportunity for transformation.

Therefore, let’s meltdown the walls of excuses and denigrations and instead, march together to achieve our common goals. It is the right time to talk about the one burning question in our minds and in our hearts the question that had given us so much headache and heartache for so long: Can we work together now and in the future to build a just and equitable community in Australia and a united society for all on that small piece of God’s earth we call our home, Ethiopia?

Can we act in unity to cherish our humanity in a single nationality, Ethiopian? Can we transition from the battle ground of recrimination and blame to a common ground of mutual concern, caring and respect? Can we work on the things that unite us and leave behind those issues that divide us? Can we find our destiny in harmony? The answer is a resounding, “Yes, we can!” to all of the questions above. Yes, we can because we belong to the same family, the extended Ethiopian family. It is true that our family members had been estranged from each other for a very long time.

We had not talked or communicated for years. We are not sure why that is so, but someone must have convinced us into believing that the mistakes and wounds of the past are so important that we should sacrifice our present and future for them. But now we say, yes, we can work together in harmony by putting our humanity before our ethnicity, by finding our identity in each other’s humanity, and our strength and greatness in our unity.

We can work together for a better future because we are willing to stand up and say to our fellow countrymen and -women, “Your pain is my pain. Your suffering is my suffering. Your indignity is my indignity. Your future is my future, and we will travel the same road to get there. And never again will we commit the crime of moral indifference against each other.”

For the longest time, we were blinded by historical grievances. We could only see each other from the prison bars of history; and penned like cattle behind the political bars of so-called ethnic federalism, we sneered at each other. We did not care much for each other. Indeed, we held each other in contempt from a distance. But when we opened our eyes shut blind by hatred and distrust and opened our hearts hardened by indifference, we could see that we are members of the same family living in the same home called Ethiopia.

We realized that as we wagged accusatory fingers at each other, our home had been set on fire. An arsonist had slipped by and stoked the fires of ethnic hatred which continued to burn in our hearts for so long. We were duped into believing that we are not our brothers’/sisters’ keepers. So, when innocent demonstrators protesting a stolen election were slaughtered in gunfire, we did not cry together because “they” were not part of us. When hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters were warehoused in jail without due process of law, tortured and killed, we pretended not to hear, not to understand the cry for help from “prisons that speak Oromiffa”.

When our Anuak brothers and sisters were massacred, we asked, “Who?” When our innocent brothers and sisters were bombed in the Ogaden, we shrugged it off as if they were strangers. When the Afaris were strafed because they said the Port of Assab is part of Ethiopia, we pretended to be blind, mute and deaf. When crimes against humanity were being committed by ruthless criminals, we were quick to slap the guilty and innocent together and direct our anger and outrage indiscriminately towards the innocent. When our brothers and sisters are scandalized as plotters of a so-called interhamwe, a genocidal massacre, against their compatriots, we failed to collectively object.

But no more! We were once blinded, but now we can see. We are all Ethiopia’s children – the Anuak, the Ogadeni, the Afari, the Gurage, the Gomuz, the Sidama, the Oromia, the Amhara, the Tigrian, the Wolaita, and the rest of us.

There is new thinking that is beginning to take hold among Ethiopians in the Diaspora. It is new thinking based on the realization that never again shall we become prisoners of the past. We have to start working together for a common future. We need an army of bridge builders and brigades of fire fighters. We need fire fighters to save our homeland from the conflagration of ethnic warfare, hatred and distrust. We need bridge builders to get us safely from our present predicament to a future where human rights are guaranteed, democracy is based on the consent of the people and no one is above the law.

Not much is needed to qualify for these jobs. You’ve got the job if you are willing to keep an open mind, rid yourself of hurtful bigotry and trust in the good will of others; and believe that our humanity is more important than our ethnicity or nationality. We are not prisoners of the past, but we are captains of our future.

We are our brothers’ keepers and our sisters’ too. Our destiny is in our hands, and we refuse to let others manipulate and magnify our fears. We can tear down the walls of hatred and bigotry anywhere we find them, and build vines of hope and understanding among all Ethiopians. We can achieve far more together than we can ever hope to achieve separately. Let’s tear down the wall of divisions, and hatred among all our Ethiopian Ethnic Communities, and be united to organize Annual Ethiopian Soccer Tournament and other national festivals together by respecting our individuality and Ethiopiawinet.

Let’s get busy building bridges and putting out fires in the coffee shops, on the streets, in our homes, in our emails, on the radio, on the websites and wherever we happen to meet each other. Bridge builders and fire fighters of Ethiopia, unite! I am writing this message because bitter, partisan fights and out-dated ideas, of the past, left and right, won’t solve the problems we face today. But a new spirit of unity and shared responsibility will.

Good health & happiness