Organization of Eritrean-Americans

Social justice attempts to primarily help those who have no or inadequate access to social, physical and economic services. In the past 20 years, Eritrea has been able to rehabilitate, expand and build the national infrastructure that has provided millions of Eritreans with access to the wealth of the country. In this short period of time the country has been able to expand access to social and economic resources to the majority of its rural people and even within the rural people to those who have been disadvantaged from gender (women), age (children), and location (people living in remote rural areas).

Since the beginning of recorded history up to 1991, various empires, kings and so called democracies have invaded, plundered and attempted to subjugate the people of Eritrea. The struggle for dignity and independence has taken many forms including a protracted 30 year armed struggle. The victory in 1991 and the referendum that followed two years later had given birth to a new nation. However, 100 years of colonialism, particularly Ethiopia’s plunder and wanton destruction, had left the country in ruins. Yet, this African country had something no other country can match, a dignified and proud people determined to build the country by its bootstraps. In its twenty years of Independence, Eritrea has managed to build what some have called a beacon of hope in a continent known for its share of tragic stories. The country has had very little income, yet the people of Eritrea have managed to build the vital structures of a country – schools, hospitals, roads, dams and much more. A feat only matched by the richest and most developed countries. The country now has vital income from its production of gold and enormous income potential from its explorations of potash.

On May 24, 2011 Eritrea is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its victory over Ethiopian colonial forces. Eritrea had suffered in the hands of three equally evil forces of occupation in hundred years (January 1, 1890--May 24, 1991): the Italians, the British and Ethiopians. Its May 1991 victory thus is the crown of its long-struggle for independence. It didn't come out of the goodwill of foreign powers. It was brought forth by the tenacity and determination of its people. Precious lives were paid for it: Eritrea's best and brightest. Sadly it was forced to pay another heavy price of equally precious children to defend its sovereign existence a mere 7 years later (1998-2000) from the very same forces it defeated in 1991: forces that salivate every time they hear the word Red Sea. Eritrea is also celebrating 20 years of genuine sovereignty. Here also it is paying a heavy diplomatic price for choosing to remain independent of the major powers that are allergic to the idea of seeing nations develop independent of their dictates.

One of the least known destinations in the world, Eritrea is a breath of fresh air for the bored tourist. A sparkling, vibrant young nation on the coast of the Red Sea, it teems with pleasant surprises and natural rarities you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. Among them: guided tours to ancient sites across desert and plains, ethereal views above the clouds on hikes in the highlands, strolls and impeccably made cappuccinos in art deco paradise that is the capital, nine colorful cultures on display at museums and exhibitions, and the cleanest locales with the lowest crime rates in all of Africa. For the tourist wary of trekking through dry landscapes, Eritrea hosts various tour routes to virtually untouched islands, and professional scuba training in one of the rarest Coral Reefs in the world. Best of all, in my opinion, is the hospitality amongst arguably the nicest locals you'd ever meet.

I will start this essay with some words of our late Professor Tekie Fessehatzion:

"For people of my generation Eritrea's independence is a dream come true. But as Ato Woldeab wrote in one of his essays in 1946, political independence is not sufficient. We should not rest until everyone, regardless of his or her station in life is empowered to play a meaningful role in Eritrea's future. How that can come about is the greatest challenge facing post conflict Eritrea. But to play that role, one has to first understand Eritrean history. No amount of sophistication on democratic theory would do unless one has a basic understanding of how Eritrea came to be."