 |
Since breaking the story about Thomas Eric Duncan, I
have come under barrage of attacks by some who sees my action as "evil" and “bringing
my own down”. What is more sickening is the comments coming from some Liberians;
especially those in the Diasporas. Based on those comments, I am led to believe
that the reason Ebola is spreading in Liberia is not because of the lack of
education. It is spreading because many
of our people literate and illiterate have chosen to remain ignorant and
indiscipline in the face of sufficient information.
What is even more troubling is the naivety of people
that professed to be educated. Even more alarming is the fact that so many in
the Diasporas know so little about the Ebola virus disease (EVD). Listening to
CNN interview with the brother of Thomas Eric Duncan and his girlfriend Louise,
made it clear that we are all at risk because of the shallow mentality of few.
The culture of silence, sweeping things under the
rug, misplaced solidarity, false pride and empty nationalism has proven to be
our worse enemy. Pride is not knowingly putting others in harm’s way or
thinking only of oneself; it is having empathy and doing everything to protect
those around you.
When the American aid workers, and MSNBC
cameraman started to signs and symptoms of the Ebola virus disease, they
immediately put themselves in isolation. Had it been some of our compatriots,
they would have ignored the warning signs like Thomas Eric Duncan, and exposed
other to the virus. Indiscipline and selfishness is one of the main reasons
Ebola is spreading exponentially in Liberia. While the government may have
poorly handled the disease, we are an integral part of the problem.
Thomas Eric Duncan lost his right to privacy when he
knowingly and deliberately put not only his family, but also the American population at risk. His selfish action has made every Liberian and African living
the US vulnerable to marginalization and stigmatization.
Over the last month, we have been fighting possible
marginalization and stigmatization of our people in Minnesota only to have such
cowardly behavior from one of our own. Sadly, so many of us do not believe Thomas
Eric Duncan did anything wrong.
Statements like "Oh, he was desperate, because we do not a good
healthcare system in Liberia" or "He was trying to seek world class
treatment", are all selfish justifications.
What if Mr. Duncan had thought, “I know that I have been exposed to Ebola and will do everything to prevent others from contracting it"?
In the last few days, I have heard anything from "you are violating his privacy", to "you are a snitch" or "you are bringing our own down" blah, blah, blah. This leaves me to wonder whether ignorance the new solidarity.
What if Mr. Duncan had thought, “I know that I have been exposed to Ebola and will do everything to prevent others from contracting it"?
In the last few days, I have heard anything from "you are violating his privacy", to "you are a snitch" or "you are bringing our own down" blah, blah, blah. This leaves me to wonder whether ignorance the new solidarity.
Some will even go extra length to attack others for
exposing this deliberate callousness. Amazingly, these people will do
everything to hide any possible interaction with Thomas Eric Duncan, citing
privacy and national solidarity.
I am asking the Liberian community in Texas to do
everything possible to report all those who interacted with Thomas Eric Duncan
upon his arrival in the US. This is no time for silence or protecting someone
because they are our friend or relative.
Please let us treat this crisis as a threat not only to his family but also to the Liberian/Africa population in the Diasporas. The honorable thing to do is turn everyone who may have come in contact with Thomas E. Duncan to Texas authority.
Please let us treat this crisis as a threat not only to his family but also to the Liberian/Africa population in the Diasporas. The honorable thing to do is turn everyone who may have come in contact with Thomas E. Duncan to Texas authority.
I am also calling on the Minnesota African Task-force against Ebola, the OLM and every Liberian in Minnesota to remain vigilant not
only towards those we perceive might discriminate against us because of Ebola,
but also towards our own people. It is now time that we come together as a
community and institute a prevention strategy.
Simple things like, making it known when you have a
family or relative returning from Liberia or making sure that those who return
from Liberia are kept away from the general public for 21 days could make a
difference. We also need to educate those living in the US about the virus. As
it seem, Ebola is no longer a treat to those living in West Africa; we are all vulnerable. These
are just simple considerations that could protect not only the Liberian
community but also the entire Minnesota population.
It is now time that we tell our people that there is
nothing degrading or shameful in contracting Ebola. What is disgraceful is
ignorantly keeping it secret at peril of you and the public.
Contributed by:
Al-Hussein