MONROVIA — On the occasion of Liberia’s 177th Independence Day, national orator Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey delivered a powerful speech titled “A Radical Agenda for Re-imagining Liberia.” Her address challenged the nation to reflect deeply on its past and envision a more inclusive and equitable future.
Dr. Pailey began by expressing her profound love for Liberia, stating, “As someone who loves this country with every fiber of my being, I feel very honored and privileged to address you today.” Her opening set the tone for a speech that would revisit Liberia’s founding ideals and urge a return to those roots.
She painted a vivid picture of Liberia’s birth as a nation in 1847, emphasizing its declaration of independence as a bold act of defiance. At a time when blackness was often associated with oppression, Liberia chose to assert its freedom, drawing inspiration from Haiti’s successful slave revolt.
“Our very existence as Africa’s first black republic inspired a ‘race benighted,’” Dr. Pailey proclaimed. She reminded her audience that Liberia’s independence predated the broader African independence movements by nearly a century, positioning the country as a beacon of black self-rule.
However, Dr. Pailey noted, the ideals that once defined Liberia have been overshadowed by division and inequality. She lamented the creation of social hierarchies based on ethnicity, class, and gender, which have undermined the nation’s foundational principles.
“We mistook autocracy for democracy,” she stated, highlighting the systemic issues that have plagued Liberia, from corruption to the prioritization of profit over people. Dr. Pailey urged Liberians to embrace the concept of positive peace, where structural violence is eradicated, not just physical conflict.
Reflecting on Liberia’s journey, Dr. Pailey described how the nation has struggled with its identity and aspirations. Despite adopting a Unification and Integration Policy a century after independence, true unity remained elusive until the Ebola outbreak united Liberians against a common threat.
“In that moment, instead of attacking each other, we stepped into our collective purpose,” she recounted. The crisis showed that the 19th-century experiment in black self-determination had evolved into something far greater.
Dr. Pailey urged her fellow citizens to reimagine what it means to be “one nation indivisible.” She envisioned a Liberia where differences are embraced and resources are used to uplift all its people, rather than a select few.
“We must believe there is sufficient space to accommodate our differences and our shared experiences,” she declared. Her call was for a nation that nurtures talents and meets the basic needs of all its citizens, narrowing the gap between rich and poor.
Dr. Pailey’s speech emphasized the importance of using July 26th as a day of reflection and reckoning. She posed critical questions: Have Liberians dared to defy complacency? Have they treated each other with respect and upheld standards of accountability?
Her vision for Liberia includes empowering both women and men, fostering growth in both rural and urban areas, and ensuring the voices of the diaspora are heard. Dr. Pailey stressed the importance of creating systems that will endure for future generations.
Concluding her speech, Dr. Pailey called on Liberians to take full responsibility for their socioeconomic transformation. “Every 26th should be a time of national reflection and reckoning,” she insisted, urging the nation to assess its progress annually.
As Liberia commemorates its 177th year, Dr. Pailey’s message serves as a poignant reminder of the country’s origins and a clarion call to build a future grounded in unity, justice, and shared prosperity. Her words challenge all Liberians to embrace a radical reimagining of their nation, striving for a society where everyone can thrive.
