H A P P Y 30TH A N N I V E R S A R Y

The Ethiopian Community Association of Victoria (ECAV) will mark its 30th anniversary in 2015 (more story http://www.simenehmakonnen.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/the-launching-of-ethiopian-community.html).

Since its establishment, in 1985, ECAV has served not only as the social hub for Ethiopians living in Victoria, but also organizing annual Ethiopian cultural and sports festivities such as soccer tournament competitions for all Ethiopians living in Australia and New Zealand during annual Christmas break times and celebrating Ethiopian New Years by inviting popular and famous Ethiopian celebrities and musicians.

In its 30 years operation, the community has endured enormous challenges and achieved significant contributions amid struggling to keep members and attract more new comers because of the political changes in the country.

I hear and see celebrations of all sorts from around Australia and abroad by diaspora Ethiopians about all kinds of achievements and establishments of their communities and organizations alike. Needless to say, this is a significant celebration for all of us. Our Victorian, Australian, community can still develop reflecting on what they have accomplished over the last thirty years & strife to maintain their goal for economically independent association where they can increase their services and initiate to launch more programs such as “my brother’s keeper”, a new pathways by addressing compulsory and growing needs for all younger generations who are faced with disproportionate challenges & trends of obstacles in their daily lives, the program which will empower them & finally paving the way to their success.

I’m so delighted to see our community for all Ethiopians marks its thirtieth anniversary since its establishment and indebted to everyone who have involved in its development in the process so far. There is still more to be done sustaining our solidarity among all Ethiopians. It’s my hope that the community will continue to fulfil its objectives and my pledge wouldn’t fall on deaf ears that I sincerely ask the community to keep a timetable to organize a celebration of unity, like all other diaspora communities, that will include a recognition ceremonial for the past & present founding members & those who have made substantial contributions to the community over the past three decades with no exceptions, exclusions and regardless of our current political differences created by an inevitable change of governance and disparities that have been overlooked among our homogeneously and harmoniously interrelated people.

It is common to read history backward and assume that a particular group is destined to become dominant, but conflict is part of the historical narrative and as such unavoidable part of human experience marked by complex relations and a never ending alternation between the oppressed and oppressors. A significant component of the walls of suspicion among us is the baggage that we carry in the form of historical narrative and particularly a deterministic notion of identity. I am not in any way suggesting we should not be unmoved by the past history of suffering and humiliation. After all, our experiences and memories help to shape our identity. Only by acknowledging our historical legacy, even when it might be painful, can we come to terms with our past as a way to better understand ourselves, identify our weaknesses, strengths, accepting the past and bridging the divide to transform to a better future for all Ethiopians. 
 
This year will also mark a celebration of different kind. Twenty-fifteen will be election time for Ethiopian people where we hope change is coming for the better this time around. We, in the diaspora, share our people’s endeavour & send them our encouragement in support of a peaceful transition and a democratically elected transparent government. We must show our solidarity and support opposition leaders and peace activists who stand for all Ethiopians, who are constantly under threats, intimidations and imprisonment pleading (bleeding) for freedom, justice and morally exercising their democratic rights.

Hopefully, this combined celebration will remove the old approach of inadvertent & ignoramus governance of nepotism & despotism and doing so will encourage more participation & conducive to more collaboration and fetches wholehearted appreciation from all Ethiopians, ultimately restoring the spirit & integrity of the community, thereby, attracting more members and connecting the crack and hopefully this unity, undoubtedly, will resonate back home enticing the essence.

May God give us the courage to live together as many entities but one community.

TIME TO DO OUR LAUNDRY

How long can we go on wearing the same cloth, eating the same food, watching the same shows, driving to and from work in the same way and list goes on. Don’t you think changing all those things including our mindset is a healthy and necessary aspect of life?

If we always surrender and accept the way things are forever, we’re not going to make any effort to improve by rising to the challenges of unpleasant life situations. “We can’t solve problems with the same thinking that created it”. –Albert Einstein  

Change is about striving to go beyond our limitations and create something better both in our personal lives and collectively to eliminate or even lessen pain and sorrow from our and other’s life without reservation by relinquishing our inner resistance to take positive action and transform or discover something profoundly new without resignation.

I recently heard about a grapevine to transform a long standing religious conviction of celibacy to be banned. I think the idea of celibacy is an irrational and outdated moronic belief that one has to renounce his humanoid in order to be ordained as priesthood or a pontiff status only to commit cardinal sin, in any spiritual institutions, by attracting paedophiles.

If one has to completely abandon life (their other half) to become Holy Father as in the traditional believe, one must also be castrated so that he will not have the urge to break the cardinal rules.

All religious institutions must change their ancient draconian code of ethics that people must conform and wear particular attires, must not eat a particular food, and strict prohibitions that people not having the freedom when, where and how to believe in any beliefs of their choice other than the predominant or societally favoured religions without somebody pressuring someone in our timeless realm of the present. 

                                                               How old am I? Guess

Pope Francis and leaders of (all) religious organizations should take notice of global grievances and renew their codes and embark on rewriting overdue scriptures that people should believe in any religion of their choice without punishment for apostasy and ordained people in the religious establishment should be allowed to have a faithful relationship (partner) if they have to abstain from the continuing saga of countless promiscuity.   

GOSHU WOLDE, AN INVINCIBLE LION

Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister H.E. Col. Goshu Wolde 1983-1986

Colonel Goshu is addressing his innovative speech with a strong passion, fierce but convincing poise, melancholic but robust voice and feisty gesticulation pleading to the US sponsored committees assembling to discuss on the fate of Eritrean referendum.

Colonel Goshu is unequivocally determined to mesmerize, name & shame and persuade the sitting, stunned, dumbfounded, and staring bemused, congress for intervention to TPLF leader for the break up & dismemberment of his country, Ethiopia, and secession of Eritrea & he emphatically warned the futility of referendum without the consent & knowledge of Ethiopian & Eritrean people.

Undoubtedly, no matter how stunned they may seem, his articulation fell into deaf ears just like todays rhetorical do-nothing leaders who like to see other dictators immerse themselves in repression, deception and corruption.
 
Colonel Goshu Wolde was an Ethiopian Foreign Minister, from 1983 to 1986, during the time of Marxist government. Finally, incensed by injustice, he abandons his post in 1986, at the tender age of 39, in protest of his Marxist government's policies which he finally realized an unbearable behaviour of his iron-fisted leader and defected to the US declaring that he could no longer serve under him as he advanced more and more into totalitarianism and absolute repression with no vision for improvement.

Regardless of his status and service under extremely strong orders and stubborn leader of the Marxist government, I thank Goshu Wolde for his perseverance to serve our people heroically and standing very firm to protect our country. I also admire Goshu Wolde for his intelligence and resilience for bravely confronting the giants who always make decisions based on their benefits without democratically consulting other beneficiaries.
 
Ethiopia needs a passionate and patriotic leader of great moral integrity like Colonel Goshu Wolde who epitomizes audacity of our people’s hope and leads them into the twenty first century.

PREREQUISITES TO BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER

POSTED COPY: RSPCA, Australia

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it's a responsibility. Dogs depend on us not only for food & shelter also caring & maintaining for a long term commitment that requires serious thought. No different from checking your lifestyle before having a baby.
If you already have a dog, you need to consider if you are fulfilling all your obligations as an owner.

I think there has to be a strengthened laws, responsibility and capability tests law instigated for the people wanting to raise a healthy and happy dog before they obtain/buy/given/volunteer a dog or any pet as a matter of fact to ensure their suitability and qualifications for ownership.

Once they pass all assessment areas of the check point successfully, they will be issued the personal evaluations clearance certificate to show it to any person, private or retail shops responsible for dispatching the pets, to get pets of their choice. This may sound thorny and bureaucratic but it is, absolutely, the right thing to do considering the constant abuses and mistreatments we see every day and the ongoing problems the humane animal respite, RSPCA, put up with constantly. Think about it!
 
We can’t just say I like a cute dog and need to get one just like we go and buy a nice looking donut only to feel sick after. It is absolutely essential to think seriously before we consider the long term emotional & financial commitment, above all, if the dog is rightly suited with our lifestyle. All aspects of our family's life – children, hobbies, activities, personalities, schedules - should be evaluated before we make the wrong choice. Making sure the dog gets along with children and vice versa and if our place is accommodating for our new partner for life who needs our attention just like our children or every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life. –Roger Caras
Consider the poos and pees around the house and undeservedly locking them up all day like soldiers of POWs until you come home. If this is the case, can you afford to get pet minder? Please, note that these comments are a genuine rapport for your information (FYI) only and should not be construed as an advertisement to get a pet minder. 
  
How do I know all these? I am exposed to multitude of dogs every week and living with one happy breed of PUGZU, Mulu (whole/ complete, see pic), born May 31, 2011, that shouts for constant attention. So, this has been painstakingly long time involvement, doggedness and non-astronomical research effort as you can imagine.

                         Mulu Holidaying in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, November 2011

Little Mulu, August 2011, checking out toy world  

So, giving our dog affection is important for us as it is easy for them to give back, but must be done at the correct times.  Although dogs do have emotions that are different than those of ours, they do require constant affection and attention. They hold no grudges, ill feelings, discriminate, whine, argue, forgive instantly, among others and love you for what is.

Nevertheless, they do not premeditate or plan ahead, and do not dwell in the past or future. They live for whatever is happening at the moment. How good is that, if we follow that precept to live by?

Dogs do not live in the past or the future, as humans do. They live for the moment. That’s how we ought to live. “Living in the present”? Yes, dogs live in the moment; it is much easier to rehabilitate dogs than humans. 

Dogs are walkers & walking is an important ritual in keeping our dog mentally stable. Just like humans they need to get out and sniff fresh air and see others not only two but four-legged creatures as well. Simply having a large backyard is not going to satisfy our dog. To our dogs, our backyard is like a large cage in which they are trapped.

For a dog to be mentally stable, as an owner, our responsibility fares to take our dog for daily walks to release not only physical energy, but also for their mental equilibrium. A lack of exercise and the mental energy that can only be released by a proper walk can cause many behavioural problems in a dog. They also need medical attention from time to time regardless of their condition to keep them in tiptop just like ourselves.

The proper way to walk a dog is with the dog walking either beside us or behind us, never in front of us. This may seem petty in our mind, however it means a lot in a dog’s mind. Dogs know that the leader goes first.

If we begin treating our dog in a very self-assured manner, giving love to it at the right times, and correcting it at the right moments, we can change our dog into a happy and mentally stable dog. The more stable our dog is the calmer and submissive s/he will become and the more we can give affectionate love and the more we get it back instantly even if we can’t please them all the time. It's a "win-win" situation.

Dogs love everyone unconditionally and they don’t see anyone as strangers. No wonder why they are very much sought after pets.

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” ―Josh Billings

So, are you qualified to own one? Check yourself! 

UNCLUTTERING OUR SYSTEM

To be called or named by the superfluous English aristocratic Dame & Knighthood status of AM, AK, AD, AC, OC, OG, OM, OA, MA, Sir, Madame, Lady and so forth is worthless and a lamented honour. I very much respect some of the honours given to deserving Australian robin hoods for their worthy contributions apart for celebrity or socialite status.

 

George Ayittey, a Ghanaian economist & president of the Free Africa Foundation in Washington DC, calls the young African educated individuals who take responsibility of their country’s future as “Cheetah Generation” we similarly know them as Gen Y and in contrast “Hippo Generation” as older or we call them Gen X who are rigid and uncompromising archetype remaining in the old beliefs out of simple complacency relying on the government to change everything.

However, Australian Hippo and Cheetah Generations are by far different compared to the African ones.

Australia’s cheetah generation is vocal, free to demonstrate for their freedom and free to speak their minds to see change in the political system and the hippo generation, like African power mongrels, have chosen to stay with whatever is available to them and remain on the sidelines with their legs crossed acting like the three wise monkeys shamefully to stay with an old political culture with very little or no corruption unlike the African hippos.

Australian Gen Y, younger “Cheetah” generation must learn the mistakes of older, Gen X “Hippo” generation and try to redeem themselves mindfully and magnanimously without impertinence for Hippos no matter how things have happened, either self-aggrandizingly or inadvertently.
 
Tony Abbott's, our conservative and enigmatic, PM’s resurrection of “God Save the Queen” knighthood status which was “cremated & buried” long time ago is a self-promoting & sanctimoniousness move to achieve that honour at the expense of all Australians.
 
Sorry, Sir Tony! sorry, PM, nobody’s been consulted and voted for it. We believed we are moving forward by cleaning up all our historical mistakes and renewing reconciliation, recognition, republicanism, new coat of arms and flags with an Australian symbolism without looking back, picking and piling up old system of debris again.

We must change our mindset of “if ain’t broken why fix it” scenario. (Read more stories www.simenehmakonnen.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/what-is-australia-day.html)
 
We’re so lucky that our elected leaders are only serving their term voted-for unlike leaders of African dictators, “Hippos”, who are clinging to power in order to serve their life time once they are elected which is detrimental to any political and economic changes and prone to corruption and stagnation.
   
It is time for Australian “Cheetah” generation to advance Australia fairly with the rest of the world by maintaining the spirit of humanity ‘oneness’ by accomplishing all the changes mentioned as proposed without any preconditions.

Doing so eliminates intolerance and attracts all Australians, young & old, boys & girls, women & men, all races, sexes, colours, religions, dogs, cats, kangaroos, koalas, wombats, possums, crocs, Tassie devils, kookaburras, cockatoos … sorry if I left some out, and be able to sing “I am, you’re, we’re all Australian”. 

12 YEARS A SLAVE

My partner and I went to see, 12 years a slave, a very compelling and emotionally rousing movie, at times tempting me to scream out or enrage, about the shameful acts humans did to another human being. A truly powerful film well directed, choreographed and acted and has to be honestly endured and appreciated for its depiction of harsh realities.

Then, again, I contained myself mindfully for the ignorance that happened for eons and insightfully observed the rest of the movie. However, my partner’s continuous sobbing about the overwhelming condition, at times, put me under extreme pressure to screech out but when the film’s actor said to his colleagues “don’t despair”, I took that as premonition and continued to see the rest of tragedies in silence.

This type of enigma does happen even among the same/different races in Africa under altered name of subjugation and despotism even, today, the same colour people oppressing each other. Victimized viewers should not feel anger or animosities toward what happened in the draconian time and check their attitudes thoughtfully in their life time. Two hundred years later, what has changed? We have to be realistic that racism still exists discreetly and hard to amplify for those honest individuals and it’s our business to do our share with NO preconditions. Hopefully, those who saw or about to see the film should not be offended or sorry about the precarious atrocities committed by ignorance and ultimately learn to move on with a renewed approach/attitude.

የኛ - Y E G N A

Yegna (our) – the new Ethiopian Spice Girls sensation is an all Ethiopian Girls Band united to educate, empower & aspire the younger generations, especially, girls as well as women & message for the society to open their eyes to see the harsh realities of living under disparities, suppressions, oppressions, nepotism & despotism and transcend them with love & understanding with no exclusions.

The song is called ‘ABET’ –‘we are here’ -A call & a cry message for recognition for everyone to hear & understand their sufferings & disrespect. Disenchanted & dissatisfied of the harsh living conditions, enough is enough, they started singing educational songs as an entertainment to entice more audiences & in doing so, to free themselves & bring the changes that are necessary for all Ethiopians.

A very exciting, heart-warming cultural dance entertainment at the start & showcasing eclectic & jaw dropping dance moves of Ethiopian idols half way to the end.
Simply magnificent!

Hey, hey… The groups proved it’s in my DNA, why people wondered that I was such a good dancer all those years.

Hey! I still am!! Thank you.

T H E A W A K E N I N G

We need to be mindful i.e. to be fully present in the moment and with each moment of any involvement outwardly or inwardly, be able to restore our emotional suffering and make our life come alive by attaining blissful healing, by making radical personal & social transformation, invincible liberation by freeing ourselves from our preconceived mindset & self-criticism, mental projections of all sorts imagining problems, - negative endless internal opinions & dialogues constantly reinforcing & justifying how things must turn out, prejudging situations & conversations long before they happen, if they ever happen.

We need to break free from negative emotions of the past & out-dated beliefs of inherited collective mind-patterns that have kept our parents & ancestors in captivity, without blaming anyone, creating so much of their suffering for eons manifesting in our misery today, thus transferring that into our eternal parenthood obligations. If my poor Mom & Dad only knew all the predicaments & survival kits! Thank you for everything.

Our own wellbeing is inseparable from the wellbeing of those around us. No matter how separated we are geographically, culturally or by social status, our interests are inextricably linked even with those who disheartened, disappointed, abnegated, frustrated, and you name it, us in our relationships & close encounters.
 
An English Philosophical Poet, John Donne, wrote, “No man is an island.” an expression emphasizing a person's connections to his or her environs. Similarly, South African philosophy of UBUNTU which roughly translates to human kindness toward others is the belief in a universal bond of sharing with all humanity replaces the simple greeting of ‘How are you?’ with the more sentimental response ‘I’m well if you are well.’

Now, create or choose a strong and dynamic affirmation, time and again, that will take you through the days, weeks, months & years and repeat it to yourself every time your head is trying to spiral.
Here is one good act to follow: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

I came across the highly charged Eddie James, African-American, spiritual singer, singing “awakening”, while I was writing awakening & cherry-picked him to be relevant to my focus of humanity’s pursuit of self-realization through awakening irrespective of their religious & spiritual choices or beliefs.