‘Ethiopia Tikedem’ (Ethiopia first)

Ethiopia first was the chorus of the song.

‘Tenesa Teramed’ (Stand up and stride) underlines unity in diversity. It is the name of a patriotic song aired by Radio Voice of Ethiopia in July 1974 or thereabout. This all-inclusive song resonated throughout the country and lifted the spirit of all Ethiopians regardless of their gender, age, ethnic background or creed. Though for a short time, it set us on a course of enthusiastic desire for change without bloodshed. I wish to tell how I got to know and sing ‘Tenesa Teramed’ on one of those of my ‘zemecha’ (a collaboration campaign) days that I will never forget.   ‘Zemecha’ was a philosophy of education for national reconstruction by general mobilization and successful ‘zemecha’ (campaign) for the future advancement and growth of the country.

Without going into detail and immodest about it, I was proud and privileged to take part faithfully in the ‘Ethiopia Tikedem’ ‘zemecha’ to loyally serve and advance my country as the song explained the whole scheme.

At the end of the song, we all applauded in a vivid aura of togetherness, display of joy and determination to push for bloodless change.

The song was unanimously and enthusiastically approved with one brilliant amendment suggested by a highly respected officer of Oromo origin from Wollega province. He commented that the song should reflect ownership thereof by all children of Ethiopia and not only by members of the Air Force who initiated the song first. The amendment was accepted with deafening applause even before the officer could finish his comment. The phrase in the very last of the section of the song which red “says the Air Force” was substituted by the all-inclusive phrase “say your children”. I repeat that it was a brilliant amendment underlining the virtue of inclusiveness of all sectors of the Ethiopian society contrary to the immoral policy of TPLF regime using ethnicity as its weapon to divide and misrule Ethiopia.

It was then decision was made to take the tape immediately to the Provisional Military Coordinating Committee later renamed Derg, The song was aired by Radio Voice of Ethiopia on the same evening of that unforgettable day.

The text of the song and the music were the work of young members of the amateur Music Club of the Air Force. The devoted call for change, by putting Ethiopia first, brought civilians and men in uniform of all ranks together on a band wagon for progress. Interestingly, there is nothing in the text of the song even remotely embracing a specified ideology.

Regardless of the inadvertent mismanagement of the ruling military regime of the time, (novice military personnel incapacitated by incompetence, following the same status quo they only knew through history, to rule by force in order to maintain law and order), the song rather, in contrast, clearly depicts the new dawn and unity for Ethiopian people to front a new transformation with a battle on hand since the Italian aggression.

The song was made up of six sections of four to five lines each separated by one line of repetitive chorus, Ha Hu ‘Ethiopia Tikedem’ sang twice. ‘Ethiopia Tikedem’ means Ethiopia first; ሀ (Ha) and ሁ (Hu) are the sounds of the first and second fonts in the first row of the unique Ethiopian Alphabet.

Ha Hu was the philosophy of mass education ideology evidently demonstrating the need to educate Ethiopians to make ‘Ethiopia Tikedem’ (Ethiopia first) a reality.

Unfortunately, the current TPLF regime is doing the very opposite to the all-inclusive rallying call for change rightly articulated by the song. ‘Tenesa Teramed’ underlines unity in diversity; it advocates the virtue of hard work; it underscores the importance of building dams across our rivers for irrigation neglected without benefit for centuries; it expresses firm resolve to safeguard the territorial integrity of our Motherland, Ethiopia.

 

The call for fundamental change to the way we do things in our world is all universal in our global village. The quest for freedom is steadily enduring.

It is time to stand up in harmony and break the handcuffs in which Ethiopians are held as subordinates by the brutal TPLF regime reinforced by its own walls of armed forces.

TIME FOR CHANGE.

LONG LIVE ETHIOPIA UNITED IN DIVERSITY!

“THAT ONE” is THE GREATEST PRESIDENT

GOODBYE THE OBAMAS

When Barack Obama took office, it was assessed the US faced the worst recession in eighty years, but he managed to fight back with swift decisions. We've seen deficits coming down, the American auto industry setting new records, unemployment reaching eight year low and bouncing back and businesses creating over a million new jobs.

The economic downturn Obama inherited from President Bush was daunting with the US facing one of the worst financial crises: high debt, growing deficit, huge unemployment, financial institutions on the brink of collapse
After a century of trying, Obama declared the health care in America is not a privilege for a few; it's a right for everybody. Obama’s contribution to healthcare reform, by passing the Affordable Care Act, has been a praiseworthy. He has worked tirelessly in bringing down the cost of prescription drugs and making hospital care more affordable to the lower middle class and minorities.

Obama put equality of opportunity policies in place to support students a path to college giving the low-income students free tuitions.
He also controlled Wall Street's worst gluttonies and protected consumers from further fraud. Through countless acts of quiet courage, maintaining everybody’s full rights, marriage equality is now a reality across the land.

President Obama also launched the My Brother’s Keeper initiatives to inspire and encourage community leaders to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of colour and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential.

Obama enacted the landmark legislation abolishing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the US Armed Forces.

One of the significant contributions of Obama has been his inclusive policy. He always stood for the rights of blacks, Muslims and other minorities. Obama’s visit to a mosque in Baltimore can be considered a bold move; keeping in mind the recent bitterness against the Muslim community. In spite of being called a Muslim on repeated occasions, due to his middle name being Hussein and managed to appease the feelings of Muslims in an increasingly anti-Muslim environment.

He also fought and doubled the country’s clean energy production, and brought nearly world nations together around a climate agreement that could protect our children from a climate that's beyond saving.

Through diplomacy, Obama managed to communicate effectively and passionately with countries building nuclear weapons and as a result to his credit, Iran agreed to shut down its nuclear weapons program.

Obama can be considered to be a votary of peace. His inclination of ending an American alienation of Cuba and restoring diplomatic ties is a testament to this.

The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laureate was awarded to President Barack Obama for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".

Obama also travelled around the world preaching a new world order. He visited European countries by making peaceful speeches in Brussels, Germany, England and other countries.

President Obama is also the first U.S. president to address the 54 members of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. “Nobody should be president for life”, Obama tells Africans.   He also visited other African countries including his ancestral home Kenya by addressing the Kenyan youth with a captivating speech; equally, his inspiring speech in Ghana and Cape Town, South Africa was also astounding.

Obama clearly told African leaders on the future of Africans: “We must start from the simple premise that Africa’s future is up to Africans. I say this knowing full well the tragic past that has sometimes haunted this part of the world. I have the blood of Africa within me, and my family’s own story encompasses both the tragedies and triumphs of the larger African story. …”

“Development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa’s potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans. …”

“Repression takes many forms, and too many nations are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or police can be bought off by drug traffickers. … That is not democracy that is tyranny, and now is the time for it to end….”

“Across Africa, we have seen countless examples of people taking control of their destiny, and making change from the bottom up. …”

“Make no mistake: history is on the side of these brave Africans, and not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power. Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions….”

With his family ties to Africa, the president has left a legacy of signature achievements such as power Africa with electrical connections to brighten up Africa.

He also launched the Young African Leaders Initiative –YALI, programs that mentors and funds projects for ambitious young Africans. Obama has also helped expand trade to the continent; he has visited Sub-Saharan Africa more than any other US presidents.

Now, Africa is watching so closely what this year’s candidates’ policies would be since either party mentioned nothing so far.

Obama also visited Eastern bloc countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, India, Indonesia and Japan, the US bombed city of Hiroshima, and gave moving speeches in all countries.

President Obama also visited Australia and addressed the Australian parliament.

Obama being the best organizer during his customary working years as a community development worker continues to assemble those abilities together to make every change he can believe in possible during his presidency.

A man who was referred to as “That One”, by Senator John McCain during their race to the Whitehouse, continued to practice what he wrote in his book, Audacity Of Hope, thereby making tremendous and conspicuous changes.  

Time and again, Americans and the world must appreciate his immense contributions to make our planet a peaceful and habitable place.

Amid all the promising changes, Obama said, “Through every victory and every setback, I've insisted that change is never easy, and never quick; that we wouldn't meet all of our challenges in one term, or one presidency, or even in one lifetime. By so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was when we started this work together. But there is more work to be done.”

One must keep in mind that it’s unfair to ask leaders of powerful nations to solve all global issues and then hold them accountable for not responding to any peaceful demonstrations by the country’s long-suffering people. Every trouble ridden countries, including my own, are blaming Obama for not taking swift action to fix their atrocious fate. We should learn from our past that time and again we must stop urging, begrudging, critiquing and name calling of any leaders for not responding to our calling. He has already told us that “Africa’s future is up to Africans”.

It’s easy to take someone for granted until we see the unimaginable person/candidate emerges to replace the existing ones. As the Ethiopian saying goes, በጅ የያዙት ወርቅ እንደመዳብ ይቆጠራል - “gold in hand is presumed as copper.” It’s time to appreciate all the golds we own in our possession. We have seen all the candidates with pompous and goofy personalities and delivered very little policies, not persuasively, with no perceptible substance.

One of these unlikely candidates of this game of the thrones is Donald Trump who is unfortunately contrasting against all the tsunamis of “change we can believe in” and sailing and assailing with his bunch of hoodwink moralities with the same old rhetoric of business as usual.

Today, it’s not enough to create change at the level of symptoms and structures. We need to work even more deeply to change the underlying paradigms of thought and to connect with our deeper sources of creativity and self.

The governing structures and models we currently find ourselves in are remnants from the old beliefs and outdated corporate era. These are still hanging over our heads in majority of our working lives and can’t understand the bigger picture that people are only interested in money and power.

As Obama’s tenure comes to a close, history will perceive him as one of the most balanced and inclusive presidents the US has ever had. He is leaving behind a legacy that will be difficult for his successors to emulate, let alone surpass.

He will be remembered and cherished for long time to come for his contributions to social changes and instilling inspiring and motivational slogans such as “Change We Can Believe In”, “Yes We Can” and “The Audacity of Hope” –thoughts on reclaiming the American dream –that encourage every walk of life to tap their full potential in their pursuit of peace, happiness and equal opportunity regardless of “who they are” and wherever they live.

I, for one, certainly, haven’t seen any sincere and charismatic leader in my life time on the planet or didn’t catch any leaders past and present with the statesmanship and compassionate leadership capacities as good as Barack Hussein Obama.

Thank you.

I wish you and family a healthy and joyful life.

RIO OLYMPICS 2016 HERO

Congratulations to Feyisa Lelisa winning silver in Brazil, RIO Olympics 2016, finishing behind Kipchoge of Kenya. Feyisa may have won Olympic medal, most of all; he has also won his people’s heart standing for his family and people unlawfully & awfully languishing in the country’s prison.

He strode across the finish line of the marathon event with his arms crossed over his head in a sign of solidarity for the Oromo people, his native group and the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia and as a protest against the Ethiopian government's crackdown on political dissents and for all others suffering as a result of their demonstration for their right to live in freedom.

The reality is, Oromo people have been marginalized traditionally and for decades, with tensions rising recently as the government promoted development that took over their farmland.

Feyisa wanted to draw attention to the government's ongoing persecution of the Oromo people. He probably be imprisoned or killed if he returns back in Ethiopia. He already mentioned that his family members are now in prison and he worries about the safety of his wife and children.

It’s easy to figure out what will happen to him should he return to Ethiopia. If he chooses to remain, his chances of owning the medal might be put at risk by IOC, as this will drag on as a politically motivated gesture. Although the incident happened at a different time and belief setting long ago, I believe the idea of stripping their hard earned medals from athletes with political intentions at the Olympics still stands. I would like to hope otherwise.

In 1968, when African-American sprinters, Tommie Smith and fellow American John Carlos, won gold and bronze, respectively, at the Olympic Games in Mexico City, the Olympics committee has stripped the athlete’s medals for political protests raising a Black Power salute in a black glove covered clenched fist in a stand for human rights protest against discrimination in the United States.

But what the two African-American men did on the podium afterward has been talked about ever since. It was an iconic image from the turbulent '60s.

The year, of course, was the “Unforgettable” 1968. Months earlier, Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated and major riots took place that year across the US and in the years prior.

Smith and Carlos were deplored. Ultimately, they were expelled from the games. “How dare they!” as an IOC spokesperson put it. Then, he went on to say, “they breached the fundamental principles of the Olympic spirit"

History vindicated Smith and Carlos. Today, as we have vibrant movements in the US demanding that “Black Lives Matter”, it is easier to see why the outrage directed by the American mainstream towards Smith and Carlos for their protest then should have been directed towards the atrocious racism and institutional discrimination upon which their country was built and continues to suffer from instead.

Four years later, in 1972, at the Summer Munich Olympics in West Germany, Palestinian terrorist group known as Black September have taken eleven Israeli Olympic team members as hostage and eventually massacred along with a German police officer, demanding the release of more than two hundred of their people jailed in Israeli prison. 

I've thought about this episode much over the last several days as the Olympics in Brazil took place. Much attention was paid to three incidents between Arab, Israeli & Ethiopian athletes.

In one, a Lebanese group of athletes refused to share a bus with Israeli athletes, and in another instance, an Egyptian judoka refused to shake hands with his Israeli competitor after a bout.

In the other incident, An Ethiopian marathon athlete crossed the finish line with his fisted hands crossed in protest against his government’s unlawful treatment of his people. Is it fair to say, like Smith & Carlos, history also vindicated Feyisa?

In the Western media, the Arabs were ridiculed for their stances. This was supposedly childish behaviour and did not fit with the spirit of sportsmanship.

No one notices and take it seriously when athletes, from the so-called third world countries, do something in protest of the ongoing unjust treatments of their governments.

How realistic is it to expect a global event to be entirely detached from global politics? What is this "Olympic spirit" that exists in a vacuum where the hearts and minds of humans and their connections to the political world suddenly go unnoticed?

I can understand the desire for sportsmanship and, as a lover of sport myself; I appreciate the ways in which it, as a human language, can transcend divides.

What I cannot understand and cannot accept, however, is when there is outrage over simple acts of protest without outrage, or even discussion, in those same conversations about the reasons behind those protests, the mass denial of basic human rights to millions of Ethiopians, Palestinians, Syrians, Iraqis, and the list goes on.

Ethiopia is one of the most mosaic nations in the world, mothering over 80 different ethnic groups. I do not mind if my president is from any group or minority nationalities as long as s/he demonstrates the capabilities that people yearn for. Indeed, I will be extra glad if the president comes from the tiniest ethnicities. That should be celebrated as it is one powerful way of ensuring social equity and justice. Remember, this is a government elected by the people to work for the people without despotism, nepotism and hatemongering corruptions.

While core beliefs are hard to change, because they develop so early in life, there are many habits that we can definitely amend with the changing times. The IOC and the world community must wakeup to their responsibilities and acknowledge that nobody intentionally disrupts this treasurable world community’s events and undermine the integrity of institutions that serve the world community, unless they’re deeply overwhelmed by personal and social tragedies they extremely care about.

‘Hate the sin and not the sinner’ is a precept which, though easy enough to understand, is rarely practiced, and that is why the poison of hatred spreads in the world….” If one hates another because of race, colour, religion, ethnicity or other factors, the result is more hate. Madiba said, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite”. If hate is learned, it can also be unlearned. If love can be taught, it can be spread across the land.

We all know that no one is safe in any multicultural society. If we still cling to our past grievances and attempt to carry badges of vengeance from one generation to the next, we’ll not be able to sustain our profound opportunities that can navigate us toward peace, freedom and enduring happiness. It’s time to forgive, value, appreciate and help each other as we’ve always done in our societies. It’s TIME FOR CHANGE!

We must follow Gandhi’s precept that if we must hate, we “hate the sin and not the sinner.” It is a tough precept to follow and live by. We have all been part of the problem and part of the solution at one time or another. If this is not true, then “He who is without sin should cast the first stone”. But now all of us have an opportunity to become part of the grand solution to the political problems facing Ethiopia. It is a rare chance that comes once in generations. Let’s not squander it! We all must watch each other’s back!

Let’s also wish the government that nothing should happen if Feyisa decides to return home with his Olympic winning glory.

We salute all those who sacrificed their lives and those who continue to struggle for possessing strengths in the face of adversity, courage in the face of danger and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost.

TIME FOR CHANGE!

LET’S ALLOW OUR TRUE FEELINGS BE SEEN, HEARD & FELT

Unless we change our inner mental programming to fit our inner emotions and remain with unobscured authentic self, the conditions of our life still remains the same whether we have the power of a king, the prestige of a movie star or the knowledge of Einstein –we win some & we lose some. Without inherently changing to match our thoughts with actions, changing our names or possessing the earthly desires of material benefits that may stimulate our needs temporarily, no guarantee to attain a lasting contentment. 

We have to recognize that imperfections are normal and we need to be gentle with ourselves & others, not to get irritated or discouraged when we don’t meet our expectations and those of others. No matter how hard the situation might be, we can try until we have used all possibilities within our reach to change untenable and unavoidable conditions.  We should be spontaneous to do, say or even post what we think and feel instead of seething, covering, wallowing and immersing ourselves in a pool of judgement erroneously.

Everyone is born a sleepwalker. Everyone faces a point when they wake up and realize they need to take ownership over their lives to truly live. This does not mean that our lives before this point have gone to waste. Whatever has happened in our past up till this point, happened for a reason. It has been a journey no matter what, when, where, how, it has been a precarious trip or road map to new opportunities in allowing us to learn, grow and become the person we are today.

As I was growing up, I was slowly gaining consciousness through random encounters in my life. However, I was still largely a sleepwalker living out other people’s visions and goals, such as media, marketers and advertisers, the society, friends, family, etc. I was missing my own comprehensive vision in life. It was when I was transitioning between graduating and moving on to the world of working life that I was jolted awake and decided to live my life contented braking away from the old traditional mindset, rhetorical & unrealistic believes with no fruition.

Whenever I look around me, I see sleepwalkers droning their lives away, people running fervently in the rat race and in their rat wheels, people busy trying to earn money for a better life for the future, people who do not know what their lives really stand for, people wasting their existence away, people denying themselves of what they really want on the inside and not knowing what they truly want and resorted to living an anxious life despondently.

How can we build a society where everyone thrives, when we all go in a different directions and belittle each other’s’ efforts? It is long overdue that we, as a people, admit that we have serious problem at the foundational level where our interactions with each other are not principled and our value systems are deteriorating with the influx of digitally controlled life styles, at home, meetups, public places and screening even while we’re walking. Maybe I should open a DIGITAL FREE RESORT somewhere out there, yeh? Good idea, but more on that later!

Consequently, the main problem in making our lives work is that our ego & rational mind keep us trapped in playing out the security, sensation & power demands that we programmed into our bio computer during our lifetime’s journey when we are stuck in the ineffective ruts that make us like a yo-yo –bouncing between pain & pleasure.

Whether we accept our pitfalls sooner or not we have to also agree that not everybody is going to like us. It’s a hard act to follow but powerful lesson to learn which frees us to create the best life we can hope and enjoy conspicuously. All these remarks are nothing to do with being negative.

Again, it’s society’s view to resolutely label people who express their views candidly.  We created needless disconnections resulting in social divisions and hatred instead of deepening our relations with equal opportunity in a rapidly changing world. We must not ignore our universal values to speak our minds about diversity, tolerance, equality and about any issues we value and care about.

TIME FOR CHANGE is my leitmotif blogspot for posting statements based on universal values of diversity and communal creed of dignity of all people to share my views that matters to all of us. We must remember that nothing stays the same, if we can’t agree in life on everything and anything; ultimately, we all agree that we all die no matter in what circumstances. Do we agree on that? Do you say what you think?

Your time starts now! Can you start doing the right thing and saying what you think honestly, starting right now by responding how you feel about my observations? “YES YOU CAN”!  

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it".  –Evelyn Beatrice Hall

I, for one, feel honoured to be able to pass on my extensive experiences, everyday life dramas, untapped philosophies and wisdoms that life has offered me through numerous events at various locations in different countries both the bad and good during the course of my endearing life’s journey with sheer perseverance and strength. SM

A I D A

A tragic love story about an enslaved Ethiopian princess and an Egyptian commander.

Giuseppe Verdi’s AIDA was presented by Victoria State Opera at Carlton Football Ground, Princes Park, Melbourne, 2, 4, 6 March 1989.

PERFORMANCE CUSTUMES

Aida is one of Verdi's greatest triumphs, telling a story packed full of human drama and tragedy, with a hugely effective ending that delivers a real sting in the tail.

The story tells of an Ethiopian (Kushite) princess, Aida, that revolves around its eponymous character, an Ethiopian princess who was captured and made into a slave in Egypt. No particular period was given, although the story takes place in the Old Kingdom which was the third millennium BC, the era between the third and sixth dynasties, 2686 – 2181 B.C. The action plays out against conflict between Ethiopia and Egypt. Both sides are at war, but principal characters between both sides find that they have come together – most notably, Aida and the Egyptian military commander, Radamès, who has fallen in love with Aida.

LIVE PERFORMANCES AT AIDA (CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW ‘ME’)

How can Aida fall in love with someone who is on the opposing side and vice versa? So it's that very conflict that gives the Aida opera its real edge. Love vs duty. Love vs patriotism. Love vs honour. Battles in which no happy ever after ending is guaranteed. Brimming with human passion and it seems many of its characters wear their hearts on their sleeves. Initially, Aida keeps her real identity a secret. Radamès, in turn, is adored by Amneris, the daughter of the Egyptian king.

However, the feeling is not a mutual one and Amneris even suspects that this is the case. Suspecting Aida and very much the jealous woman scorned by Radamès' love for Aida, Amneris uses duplicitous to the point where she tricks the Ethiopian princess into declaring her true feelings after falsely claiming that Radamès has died in combat. After Radamès returns successful from battle and a hero, the king says that he can have anything he wishes. However, his request for the release of Aida and her father Amonasro (now hostage) is denied.

Amonasro is also a very much passionate man, and in this case, that passion is fuelled by a love of his country. He cannot bear the thought of his daughter falling for an Egyptian warrior and in the third act, he denounces his daughter, casting her off as a slave of the pharaohs.

Instead, the Egyptian king proclaims that Radamès will be wed to his daughter and will be a successor to the throne. It's also Amneris who finds Radamès with Aida and raises the alarm. The irony is that in doing so, she starts the chain of events that lead to the final fate of Radamès.
However, Radamès arranges a clandestine meeting with Aida who has been instructed by her father to locate the Egyptian army. He not only suggests a safe route of escape, but also the location of the Egyptian army to Aida. Radamès is found with the enemy and is promptly captured and sentenced to death. Despite Amneris' pleas for mercy, Radamès is still taken to a vault in which he is to be buried alive. However, Aida is waiting there for him, and shares his death.
  
I pretty much enjoyed doing my act as the princess’s accompanying men with bunch of fun loving casts.  It’s a dramatically interesting story that excited minds of the audience and resulted in one of the world's opera masterpieces.

THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN ANCESTRY

                                         

CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF?

This is a heart wrenching 3 part documentary of ‘who we are’, ‘where we come from’ and what our ancestors have to endure to survive and thrive throughout their lives unlike our today’s humanity (cousins), ungrateful, unhappy, selfish and war prone with all the abundance of advanced technology to do the impossible tasks and amassing material benefits to satisfy our celestial quests. Please, must see all the episodes to grasp the different countries’ fascinating revelations.

Over 6 billion people live on our planet. The human species—with individuals of many shapes, sizes, and colours—appear to be very diverse. Where did all these people come from, and how closely related are members of the human family?

Both archaeological and DNA evidence support our origins in Africa. The oldest humanlike fossils have been found in Africa and analysis of genetic variation among living peoples suggests a common origin in Africa.

Route of Ancestral Emigration

Our species has now spread to all parts of the world, but our origins are debated. There are several viewpoints on this but the two major competing hypotheses on the origin of modern humans: the Out-of-Africa hypothesis and the multiregional hypothesis. Both agree that Homo erectus originated in Africa and expanded to Eurasia about one million years ago.

The ‘Out of Africa’ hypothesis is currently the most widely favoured explanation accounting for the origins of modern humans. It suggests that modern humans originated in Africa within the last 200,000 years from a single group of ancestors. Scientists have used genetic markers to trace the migration routes and origins of modern human populations.

Modern humans continued to evolve in Africa and had spread to the Middle East by 100,000 years ago and possibly as early as 160,000 years ago. Modern humans only became well established elsewhere in the last 50,000 years.

The ‘Multiregional’ hypothesis contends that after Homo erectus left Africa and dispersed into other portions of the Old World, regional populations slowly evolved into modern humans.

First thousand years ago, the planet was advancing into an ice age, causing draught in Africa and effectively increasing the size of the continents as the vicious cycle continues to this day. These changes made walking a coastal route for exodus, as it’s today, to Australia easier than it would be today with no barriers and restrictions.

Almost as soon as our ancestors left Africa about 50, 000 years ago, modern humans showed up in Australia, as they did in the present day migration from the early 17th century onwards when the continent experienced the first coastal landings and exploration by European explorers, with the establishment of British penal colony in New South Wales.

At about the same time a group took the coastal route to Australia, a related group headed to the Middle East, Western Europe, north and into central Asia. Central Asia became the staging ground for migrations of ancestors throughout the planet including to the Americas. Subsequent migration from central Asia also can be traced into north and east regions. Significantly, later migrations, about 40,000 years ago, moved into Western Europe and north and east to Siberia.

Migration also occurred into North and South America within the last 20,000 years. Scientists estimate that as few as 20 individuals may have founded the native population of the Americas.

With all the mystifying studies still underway in various countries to this day, I’m optimistic, value the scientific endeavour to unravel our origins and find no reason to doubt, we all are children of one family regardless of our present day country we call home as humans continue to emigrate to this day. Without all the cultures, beliefs, ritualistic conditions created to live in peace and harmony, the tentative and untimely religions chosen, the advent of diverse colours of our skins, preferred or life styles we’ve been conditioned to, foods we used to eating and so forth, lest we forget.

Above and beyond all the discoveries to be progenies of one species, we all are human beings with similar features and desires even if we didn’t come from the same sorts, no reason to feel and act the way we do toward one another. However, even if we do, we must rise to the challenges and learn to change our mindset and egos engraved in us for so long and mindfully focus on our potential to live together with all the difficulties and possibilities to be grateful and help one another. “If we can learn to hate, we can be taught to love” –Nelson Mandela

In spite of everything, I know how hard it would be, we all wear down sometimes in our lives, but we need to discipline and retrain ourselves again, again and again and strengthen our willpower if we want to ascertain change. We must also remember, we’re all came (born) with nothing and leave (die) with nothing. Think about that!
“No excuse to not get on.”

Also see: https://www.transpacificproject.com/index.php/genetic-research/

We Can Become Master of Our Mind

Throwing around mental health-related terms in a casual manner not only perpetuates a negative stereotype about anybody in general, let alone people with mental illness and brain injuries caused by different unfortunate circumstances, but the stigma associated with it may prevent them from seeking treatment and destined to withdraw. The sooner we all start taking mental health seriously - and treating it sensitively - the better the culture will be around mental problems.
It’s becoming so obvious now that the pressure and need to change our thoughts in order to change our lives as a collective issue is closing in on our society.  

Most of us have a public opinion about everything, from our PM’s performances, US presidential candidates, Donald Trump saga, gay marriage grapevines, diversity and refugee issues, among others. We like to think our views reflect our independent, avant-garde thinking, but we’re subtly, or sometimes not so subtly, influenced by the morals and values of others.

We like to agree with others because it’s helpful in forming and fostering social relationships. This keeps us from confronting others whom we believe to be lying or stretching the truth. We avoid confrontation because it creates an uncomfortable situation.

Research shows that these individuals are people-pleasers, some socially labelled pushovers, may be hardwired neurologically to be social conformists and avoid conflict. “This suggests sensitivity to mental stress and their discomfort is linked to an increased vulnerability to influence, potentially leading to poor decision-making, anxiety, or difficulties in interpersonal relationships.”

Studies also show that peer pressure during adolescence can lead teenagers to succumb to too much conformity, which could be dangerous to assert their independent opinions on diverse issues in the future. “Having a lot of trouble disagreeing due to heightened mental stress may be indicative of an array of emotional, attitudinal or social issues comprising an individual’s ability to make autonomous choices”, the study advises.

Sometimes agreeing to disagree is the best way to resolve a difference of opinion, without having to compromise our independence. This whole scenario will have devastating consequences on our long term mental health.

Mental illness and brain injuries are dangerously misunderstood topic with myths, prejudices and widespread lack of knowledge. No one wants to talk about it fearing isolation. Mental illness and injuries are not ‘weakness of character’. They’re mainstream issue that impact everyone in some way or another.

People from all walks of life working in all sorts of professions in industries, corporate and public sectors are affected by mental illness & injuries including their families & friends, your families & friends & mine, you and me. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. When we realise that so many people from all walks of life affected by it, we behave worse than the illness, rather than putting more splinter in the wound, we should be more open about it and talk to each other rather than hush hushing and going around and talk about each other’s uncontainable & overwhelming behaviours, thoughts & actions, especially if the talk isn’t a positive bearing toward a proactive solution to the problem.

People with mental illness and injuries will struggle with the reality of managing their illness for the rest of their lives; somehow, they can and do get better. To be able to do this effectively, the whole society –family, friendship networks, teachers, employers, employees, landlords, etc. –has to develop awareness about mental illness and the effects of injuries.

I also believe that we should have an approved mental health check-up every year covered by either health insurances, accurately describing their gobbledygook and dubious policy statements clearly, or Medicare benefits depending on individual’s living conditions.   

We also must educate ourselves to avert our preconceptions and find ways we can genuinely contribute to their welfare and to the wellbeing of our society as a whole. No excuses are too great. We all have responsibility, especially, when there is lots of information available to us for any illnesses we can think of at the push of our finger tips. We mustn’t assume that everyone with the illness is dangerous, scary or out of control. If we know someone who has depression, we must not avoid them and assume they can’t cope. Instead, treat them as you would like to be treated.

We need to acknowledge that mental illness and all other brain injuries caused by different and unfortunate conditions , like any other illness we talk about, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, sport injuries, car accidents, acquired brain injuries (ABIs) and work related injuries, among others, are distressing illnesses and we can openly talk about them and deal with in a positive, life affirming and rewarding way, without condescending, harbouring hate because of the person’s relentless mood swings & unpredictable behaviours, snubbing,  avoiding and abandoning families, friends, relationships, to openly deal with issues in a compassionate and inclusive way to learn from each other by including the low-spirited folks as being part of our normal everyday existence.

I know it’s a pretty hard task to follow through but if we can’t help them, we have, at least, the choice to recommend any alternative within possible reach to remedy the condition. However, I must strongly emphasise the whole purpose of this story that when we free our egos and stop from drowning in an evil acts of our illusions of thought for untenable desires, greed, anger, power, jealousy and simple stupidity, we can become master of our mind, thereby benefitting everyone around us.

Research also shows that one in five Australians will have or already have some form of mental illness. Nobody knows who is on medication out there, who is being treated and most of all who defines normal anyway? It’s a similar scenario to a futile ambition of hopelessly waiting for Mr/Mrs right? to come from nowhere to meet us so we can “live happily ever after”.

We all have our own quirky personalities, maybe not equate to an illness but prone to qualm, some favourably and some wary or bubbly, at times. Hey, if you don’t believe me start observing your own actions mindfully –without judging yourself. We may label people with different personalities if they don’t fit our expectations but the fact is acceptance is the key to let everyone be just like us.

Our old habits can get so deeply engrained in us that they affect our body and mind at a cellular or organizational level. We sometimes experience depressive feelings not caused by anyone or environmental events that happens around us but by our own emotional reactions as a result of distorted thinking.

The most important things that each of us must learn no one can teach us. Once we accept our disappointments, we will be able to stop dependability on therapists, families and friends, who turns out to be just another struggling human beings.   

If somebody does something that you blindly react to, then the pain gets multiplied and eventually the whole world is in trouble causing arguments, wars, misery and all kinds of ailing conditions. However, if we respond to situations mindfully, the individual’s and world’s troubles will start decreasing. –Buddha

I believe no meaning that comes from outside of ourselves is real. The Buddhahood of each of us has already been obtained and we need only recognize it.

We often send our messages in the way we know how, our own way, not in the way others welcome it; nevertheless, receivers often forget the messages come with good intentions & genuine advice before filtering it in their own thoughts and react badly.

Knowledge isn’t generally the driver of behaviour. We often don’t do what we should do because of inattention, apathy, avoidance, fear, being too busy, confronting an unsupportive environment, a negative attitude or habit or routine without being labelled a pushover. 

We can be sure there are few people we meet who either have been or are being treated for mental illness or we may be going through some tough times ourselves –isn’t it great to show some emotion without making jokes at the expense of those already overpowered, low-spirited and discriminated against.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a wicked sense of humour and I, always, crack jokes at my own expense by self-deprecating, is a fine line between being funny, to defuse a difficult situation, laughing with someone for self-reputation and laughing at the expense of the shattered and troubled individual, but we’ve to draw a fine line and construct sensibly.

Of course, there is humour dealing with mental illness and injured people with no doom and gloom as everyone needs lightness and laughter to reduce the stress of daily life.

We need to breakdown stigma and stereotypes, acknowledge past mistakes in the medical malpractices to heel the illness, ensure those same errors do not get grip in the twenty-first century and encourage all of us to work together to make someone with mental illness and injuries know, they are loved, they are still themselves, they are not alone and they certainly are not ‘abnormal’.

There is an unwise old saying “sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never harm me”. Whoever thought and said that (I like to think it’s an old adage) had no idea about depression, which has a huge impact on our society, the way in which the most simple words & phrases can be negatively interpreted, especially, by someone who is depressed, pervading every word, thought & feeling there by changing their ideas about themselves profoundly.

Even when we’re not ourselves, we still have enough of our personalities and awareness to deserve to be treated like the human beings we’re. Our behaviours may need containment at times but our souls don’t.

I pay my indelible gratitude to all the people that I have been in contact with, past and present, friends and families, regardless of their illnesses, who and what they are. As a result, I have gained a great deal of knowledge and extensive experiences dealing with the downtrodden and my intention is not to use over them and you, but to share it with them and you so that we all can see we have the same aspirations and desires on our life’s journey and I’m contributing my insight to empower all of us and loved ones for a safe ride.

I want this story for society to change, to challenge our own behaviours and who we are as a society and what is expected of us to live as a cohesive society and ask you to join the journey to a better and habitable lifestyle.

Eventually, we’ve to get off our bus & walk to find our own answer by experiencing it. I’ll give you the secret of happiness at the end of your reading!

Happy Ending!

FAIR DINKUM AUSTRALIA

I do not write this article for the sake of writing. There are many other things that I can do. Please, before you jump to conclusion and tell me, “If you don’t like it go back to where you come from”, read all and ponder on the concept mindfully. I love Australia and like some of you, I would like to see a prosperous, self-reliant and fair dinkum Australia. Fair enough to say, I’m a fair dinkum Aussie!

My intent is to provide analytical tools for our society who believes in one common cause, communal transformation, one country and a unified multicultural population whose hopes and aspirations for justice, freedom and opportunity are similar regardless of ethnic, origin or religious practices.

However, change must ignite within each and every one of us before we can have social change. If you want the world to change, “be the change you want to see in the world.”  –Gandhi. The political state of our nation is not the focus of the next chapter in Australia, but rather the social change result of the individual change we must ask of all Australians. What are the everyday needs of the average individuals?  From their wants and needs, can we construct a system able to grow concurrently with the minds of the educated and a productive workforce? “We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
To satisfy everyone’s hopes and desires, we need to bring the ideals of multiculturalism and reconciliation into the limelight with genuine change imminent rather than window dressing and without just allowing it to glide around every so often like a cyclone. Our rainbows of races, particularly blacks, need to seize the opportunity in our public service fields and entertainment industries on major mass Media outlets.  

I see this on daily bases that the educated and talented individuals settling for ordinary jobs like driving taxis, working in the cleaning industry, security firms and various manufacturing companies, unfortunately, hanging up their years of educational degrees to rot.

The new generation of talented black Africans and indigenous people who are going through tough times showcasing their talent, from one location to the next in various local venues, must be given impartial opportunity without racial rules and must be accepted to suitably participate in the Australian media and given the chance to take part in political affairs locally and federally, if we have to live in a cohesive and all-inclusive racially undivided culture. The recent controversial, maybe for some, SBS documentary series, “Struggle Street” unearths the devastating impact of disparities that have been evident across several Australian suburbs for so long.

“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and test of our civilization.” –Gandhi

We need to practice the primary principle of reconciliation… give and take and take and give. In a give and take process, how much one is willing to give determines how much one gets. Therefore, if we want respect, respect others. If we want freedom, let others to be free for equal share. If we want equality, treat others equally.

We need to create a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights; people could be judged by the content of their character rather than their ethnicity. Maybe the outdated forms of governance and beliefs of paying our allegiance to an overseas head of state need to change. The time to honour the principle of democracy is ripe. Now is the TIME FOR CHANGE to elect government “of the people, by the people, for the people”.

“I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against.” –Malcolm X

For this to happen, the political elite and the society must change their attitude and should stop honouring centuries old governance of one race domination. What are we scared of? What have we got to lose, aside from the outdated symbolic accolades of knighthoods & damehoods of the British Empire?

Our present PM, Malcolm Turnbull, a staunch republican aspirer, scrapped the symbolic accolades and remains to be seen if he seizes this opportunity to farewell everything of royal nature by instigating our self-reliance, to free Australia, befitting the “rapidly changing world”.  Malcom Turnbull is a reformed individual and he sounds like Obama convert, listening to the speeches he delivered in Washington using one of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s quotes, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”, he will be encouraged to stand firm to advance Australia. And, we will never, never succeed, if we never, never proceed!

We need to move forward as a new self-reliant and confident country with a renewed sense of earnestness building institution of all-inclusive education system which can rationalize the minds of the people and the political elite which is suitable for creative and innovative changes to bring transparency and accountability into operational and the awareness to reduce the feelings of discrimination and suppression.

Change in our perception is very essential in our society, in whatever areas of facilities we’re dealing with, whether sports, welfare or civic administrations or day to day communications, we’ve to be able to acknowledge black talents and appreciate their contributions and efforts in any organizations.

To appreciate how playing with the fire of racial hatred is so tense with unintended consequences, it will be good to remember that mutual recognition is a precondition for social trust. A sense of self-worth by any group in society is only partially internal; it also depends on the willingness of other competing groups in society to acknowledge the worth of the other. Everybody’s views should be represented and valued irrespective of their background, race, religion, etc.  

This is why status contests which lack good-will are inherently destructive. Where one race is discriminated informally or as a matter of government policy, cultural self-awareness eventually gives way to inherently exclusionary individual consciousness. “The time is always right to do what is right.” –Martin Luther King Jr.

Our future generation of black people are in desperate need of model leadership and guidance from the vast societal structure that are capable of mentoring the new generation into the new direction with improved possibilities without racial divisions and the rhetoric vision of status quo -business as usual.

Must read about Australia Day at https://timeforchangesociety.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-is-australia-day.html

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

TIME FOR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE

 

May the New Year bring us courage to break our resolutions early and our expectations be realized with each and every day of the year. I hope the New Year brings peace and new inspiration to all of us.
My family and I wish you and your family all the best on your thoughts, actions and changes that will bring lots of happiness. My own plan is to swear off, every kind of virtue, so that I triumph even when I fall my wishes in 2016.

Time for fundamental change is about our way of life, our objectives and our decisions. We are convinced that basic human needs are the same everywhere and finally we all strive for the same thing to succeed in life.

My theory for my commentary focus is that the political tradition among Ethiopian elites at home and abroad abruptly blaming and shaming one another will not get us anywhere. Our history since the 1960s shows that it is a failed and disastrous political culture driven by elites who continue to focus on isolated and partisan pieces rather than serving the common good. We critique the governing party but fail to critique ourselves and one another civilly. By this I mean embracing each of Ethiopia’s citizens, defending and advancing their rights and their welfare. Instead of doing this, we continue to react to events rather offer ineffectual alternatives.

 Rarely, if ever do, we have self-doubt in what we say. Egos and self-aggrandizement in the name of a cause dominate intellectual thinking. It continues to be a culture of “my way or the highway.” We talk about freedom, justice and democracy all the time.

Do we have a common definition and understanding of these fundamental principles? What do you think? I, for one, don’t think so.

In other words, without a clear awareness and a common plan there is no forward movement and progress. Don’t you think it’s about TIME FOR CHANGE?

The only method to solve our problems at Home and abroad is an all-inclusive approach which is based on the reawakening belief. For this to happen, the political elite and the people must change their mindset and should stop venerating and lionizing the kingdom of the past temperament to reign again.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved our colourful, charismatic and engaging royalty. But that’s in the past, like everything else, all things good or bad must come to an end, that’s our history but can’t be our destiny.   

We need to move forward with a renewed sense of urgency building institution of all-inclusive education system which can rationalize the minds of the people and the political elite which is suitable for creative and innovative changes to bring transparency and accountability into operational and the awareness to decimate the inkling of nepotism and subjugation.
Don’t you agree that Ethiopian society need a profound transformation from within now not five or ten years from now?

We can’t afford to dwell on our differences. It is not sufficient when someone merely acknowledges, regrets, or apologizes for something they have done. Change in our perception is very essential in our society, in whatever level of services we’re dealing with, whether sports, welfare or community organizations or day to day interactions to be able to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of individuals, members, volunteers, participants and most of all paying our gratitude to members in any institutions who’ve officiated unreservedly.

To appreciate how playing with the fire of ethnic hatred is so tense with unintended consequences, it will be good to remember that mutual recognition is a precondition for social trust. A sense of self-worth by any group in society is only partially internal; it also depends on the willingness of other competing groups in society to acknowledge the worth of the other. This is why status contests which lack good-will are inherently negative-sum games. Where a group is discriminated informally or as a matter of government policy, cultural self-awareness eventually gives way to inherently exclusionary group consciousness.

If there is one thing the majority in the diaspora and the people of Ethiopia loathe and reject, it is political bluffing, power mongering, egos and self-aggrandizement/self-centredness and hypocrisy. Division, narrow group think, personality cults, arrogance, hidden agendas, naming and shaming, character assassination of each other, one person or group trying to undermine the other and so on will not advance the common cause and or respond to our unity and the urgent solutions for the Ethiopian people, especially Ethiopia’s youth.

Our future generation is in desperate need of model leadership and guidance from the vast societal structure inside and outside of the country. It is ordinary Ethiopians at home who die for human, social and economic rights and freedoms. The rest of us can at least stand on their side. For this reason, I suggest that division must give way to cooperation, partnership and solidarity.

Creating confusion and resentment between the younger Ethiopian populations causes more dilemmas than immediate solutions. Although, the Oromo story is so poignant, in fact, not just Oromos, all Ethiopians have suffered massive injustices under successive governments and the only way we can achieve freedom and lasting democracy today is when united, reconciled and all is forgiven, change our perception, not when divided by ethnic groups or not when being polarized by historical lies presented as truth to serve a very few freedom or radical movement organizations.

Let me be clear here that I do not blame the new generation or all the courageous young journalists and freedom movement leaders who wanted to inform the public the truth through the glass doors they grew in. They are products of a traditional society which is high in power distance, i.e., a culture that accepts denigration & inequality between leaders and the led, the elite and the common, the managers and the subordinates, the professors and the students, favouritism over competence and nepotism instead of merit, etc., etc.
Our hope and Ethiopia’s future hangs in the hands of young generations who are in sync with twenty first century values where blind ethnic loyalty is regarded as ignorance, backwardness and primitive. It is rewarding to see around the US, Europe and anywhere else in colleges and universities that young Oromos, Gurages, Amharas, Hararians, Tigrayans, Eritreans and all other Ethiopian ethnic nationalities look and interact with distinctive sense of affinity towards each other.

It is now incumbent upon us, the older generations, to appreciate more and resent less, to encourage and support the interaction of young people and to undertake projects and discussions of the like organized by various institutions abroad and at Home. The least we can do is to refrain from infecting these young people with hatred towards each other. Instead let us earnestly tell them of the good and bad times we had in our Homeland and our determination to get ahead on our long journey to pursuing our success up to where we are today.

“One Ethiopia for all and all for one Ethiopia”

MENTORING NOT MENACING IS THE KEY TO RAISING RESPONSIBLE KIDS

On behalf of all migrant Australians, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we live and pay our respect to their elders past and present. I’m proud to call it ‘my home’ and pay my allegiance to the flag and privileged to use my democratic rights to make inoffensive comments when I see, hear and feel something that betrays our social cohesion.

I just want to get it out of my chest about recent swimming's great Dawn Fraser’s comments about Australian tennis players at Wimbledon. I was not bewildered or surprised with her comments because I hear and see revolting remarks like that every single day.

We all may have come by different circumstances but now we have boarded on the same boat either to navigate together with family spirit by look at the more realistic picture, as they say the devil is in the detail and change for the better or sink together titanically. “Whatever we practise we will get good at, for better or worse.” –Law of nature. 
     
I believe like majority of Australians, I do think Australian swimming great Dawn Fraser stepped over the line when she unconditionally said; young Nick Kyrgios & Bernard Tomic are “being paid too much, arrogant and if they don't like it, go back to where their parents came from. We don't need them here in this country to act like that."  Can you imagine if that applies to every Australian kid if they behaved badly?

Dawn Fraser like Pauline Hanson haunted by their past both speak what’s in the minds of some Australians who couldn’t have the opportunity and celebrity status to say what, how and when they feel the pinch.  

Irrespective of Nick or Bernard’s perceived behaviour or sportsmanship they are still learning how to associate themselves with the level headed environment and persevere their new status as the world’s best tennis players.

I believe society is expecting too much of young people to stay still and behave like everyone else or want them to be someone they admire. We can’t change elephants to be like lions or vice versa. We need to accept growing up kids for what they are or drive them to the limit where they will be traumatised and stigmatised to display even more anguish and unwanted behavioural problems.

Dawn Fraser who is old enough to know better has shown us and the rest of the world how the racist past still droning around among people of her generation.

On the other hand, the media extends their support telling us that Dawn Fraser has apologised after suggesting Nick Kyrgios "go back to where his parents came from" over the claims she apparently knew they labelled him tanking during his 4^th round loss at Wimbledon.

The message still is disappointing. The media should stop playing mouth piece spreading the apology messages. If Fraser honestly wants to apologise, she should appear live and say it as she did the dreadful call on the young tennis player in first place.  

Why didn’t everyone raise their eye brows when, the then 20 years old, Lleyton Hewitt, was lobbing all kinds of racist tantrums against a black linesman for twice foot-faulting him for offences he committed in the US Open in 2001 while playing against, another black man, James Blake?

 

Kyrgios & Tomic Wimbledon 2015                          Blake Hewitt US Open 2001
                                                                          
Hewitt goes on to say, "Look at him (the linesman) and tell me what the similarity is (beckoning towards Blake)," brutal words clearly picked up by the courtside microphones. "I want him off the court, I've only been foot-faulted at one end. Look at what he's done."  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/3011926/US-Open-Crowd-chide-racist-Hewitt.html

Besides all the Australia’s past social stigmas, do you think the weight of their names, Kyrgios, Tomic vs Hewitt, made a difference?

I beg you not to step over the line to challenge and abuse me; rather take a good hard look at the whole unfolding argument mindfully if you sense this problem is incensed by Australia’s past social norms regressing again like that of the recent US wave of racial brutality by the police force against its own people.

We should take Dawn Fraser’s comments as a wakeup call for the old and new generations and embrace it seriously without making offensive judgements and learn from it and refrain not to make the same mistake again and again. Dawn Fraser and her generation grew up in a time of racial inequality and rampant era of all sorts of discrimination.

Make no mistake, things have changed and it’s time for change, we absolutely need to accept anybody that acts and does anything and everything different than us, without judging and labelling, mindfully. We realize that we are all different species and make different errs sometimes and we should accept that as a warning to check ourselves in the mirror without banging our heads against the mirror or wall.

This wisdom doesn’t come without attention, but paying attention to the things we find most offensive or uncomfortable isn’t for the faint-hearted, so it also requires courage to observe with an unbiased attitude.
Apparently, Dawn Fraser didn’t seem to have a rosy past too.

Here is a copy of bizarre online comment about her by:               [ mawson01 3:23 PM on 07/07/2015 If I recall, Dawn was arrested stealing a flag at the Tokyo Olympics. Not only that, she was not a "team" player in refusing to swim the medley relay.

Pot calling the kettle "black" maybe a risk but appropriate metaphor.]