Geography: Towards a unified front

I have had to start studying a new topic to better understand David's story, namely geography. Like most things in life, when you give it your all, the lines start connecting.

This past weekend, my father asked me to attend The Ethiopian Forum for Peace, Democracy and Development's 5th symposium and I was blown away by a presentation given by an Ethiopian Professor of Geography. Professor Assefa Mehretu teaches at Michigan State University and gave a talk entitled: "Toward Compatible Narratives in Dealing with Difference and Identity in Ethiopia."

Professor Mehretu was gently brilliant and asking for an Ethiopian cultural renaissance rooted in a collective emancipation that would allow Ethiopia to change the path of her future. His presentation reviewed the blessing and curse of post-modernism, the importance of challenging dominant discourses, and the creation of a new 21st century identity rooted in the strength of the past while blazing a benevolent course for the future. Professor Mehretu encouraged the audience to think about collective emancipation and solidarity in rewriting the current geographically divisive narratives. He reminded us of pre-1970s vignettes of Ethiopian identity and culture that embraced the multiplicity of identities with love instead of using them to divide and rule.

I drank every word. The ideas were so relevant to TruthAIDS and I was bursting to ask a question. So I did. My father was moderating the discussion and chuckled when he saw my hand go up. I asked Professor Mehretu about the "old" story of power... namely that it always divides to rule. His response was " that is why it is up to your generation to commit to the truth and follow it." I took his response as a cosmic sign to stay committed to the long haul road TruthAIDS was trying to blaze. So there you have it... David's story put me on a path that was connected to Ethiopia's.  Go figure... life is a trip!