DETESTING UNACCEPTABLE, COMBUSTIBLE AND UNCONTROLLABLE STUDENT MILITANCY

An opinion by Jacob N.B Parley

On Wednesday, 25th January 2023, I went on the main campus of the University of Liberia (UL) to honor an invitation from a colleague who wanted us share idea on a very important academic-related matter.

I arrived earlier than my colleague and I decided and so while waiting, my attention was drawn to the occasion concerning the introduction of a BSC Degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture at the University of Liberia.

Thanks to the Liberian Government, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), the University of Liberia and all other local and international partners for the collaborative efforts that saw the realization of this worthy venture.

I strongly believe that the introduction of the program at UL will undoubtedly boost the context of diversification in terms of knowledge and skills at the nation’s highest institution of learning and in the nearby future increase the chances of Liberians on the competitive job market.

When I got closer to the UL auditorium, I saw a lot of participants, mainly grade school students whose uniforms were covered with colorful T-shirts bearing the engravings of the program. Seeing the scene got me attracted to the extent that I nearly forgot that I had an appointment.

However, the euphoria with which some of us started following the program started to decline, as soon as what I will describe in this publication as uncontrollable battle cries from a group of young people took over the UL main campus, especially the enclosure of the auditorium where the program was being held.

Upon reaching at the entrance of the UL auditorium, I got to realize that all these young people were doing was directed at Liberian Vice President, Chief, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor.

I stood breathlessly, in bewilderment and almost speechless to see a group of young people publically unleash unkind expressions on a sitting Vice President of our Country, most especially a female, perhaps in the name of “modern or firebrand” student advocacy.

From the look of things, it was not impossible for the group to even begin throwing stones and other objects if the security of Madam Howard-Taylor had tried at all costs to beat back the advances of unrefined slogans and comments from the group.

Can you imagine that during the program being referenced was graced by a lot of dignitaries, including international partners. Besides, the Liberian Vice President was the guest speaker.

I do sincerely agree that the Liberian Constitution guarantees freedom in various aspects, including the freedom to peacefully assemble, freedom for a group of people to express their ideas and thoughts, freedom of association, etc.

Yes, I also agree that seeking the welfare of others through engagements with administrations is common to student advocacy here and in other places across the globe.

In this context, Liberians, including all other people residing within the territorial control of our Country have the right to seek redress whenever they feel that their rights have been trampled upon by others or raise their voices against issues that may be affecting their communal lives.

But where some of us sometimes differ with some of these so-called modern student advocates is the reckless nature associated with the process. Take for instance, the use of violence, profanity, and personal attacks on human reputation.

From a distance, I initially thought it was ULSU militants who had gone to engage the UL authorities about other issues, as they sometimes do. However, a day following the incident, I listened to a statement on a local radio station, attributed to one Wamah, believed to be an executive of the Liberia National Student Union (LINSU), dissociating the umbrella organization of all student bodies in Liberia from the verbal attack on the Liberian Vice President by the group of young people.

Again, since I have no evidence about which group actually carried out this reckless behavior, I wish not to lay accusing fingers at the doors of any of the UL campus-based student movements.

What I will not bite my tongue about is the fact that such an attitude was very indecent because it undermines the principle of paying respect to a high-ranking official of our country, especially a prominent female.

These processes should however be done in a way that does not discount Liberia’s so-dearly cherished family and cultural values. This is my point of contention.

Does The Vice President Know This Author?

There may be people who think the fact that I do not work in the Office of the Vice President renders my concern irrelevant. Yes, anyone who thinks so has the right to his opinion.

I am not, therefore, going to waste my time responding. Instead, what I want people to realize is that Liberia is a very small country, where we are supposed to frankly denounce practices that are unwholesome. Some people may see these issues as simple, but I think they have the inclination to put us asunder once again, particularly when the song to build a new generation of productive, respectful, and discipline youth continue to be sung.

Clear enough, I do not work in Madam Taylor’s Office, neither do I have any idea whether she knows me or not. Therefore, what is of dominant concern to me now is that whatever is not good for our society requires no glorification, but swift and strong condemnation by all those who strive for a better, prosperous, and peaceful Liberian society that is built around keeping intact our family and cultural values (owed respect) for older people, women, leaders, etc.

My First Interaction with the Vice President

The only little time I recall greeting Madam Taylor by walking very close to her was at the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017, when she was graduating from the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute (FSI).

During the program, it was my third time being invited by the Administration of the FSI to serve as MC during a closing program since my graduation in 2011.

Considering her status in society, enrolling at the FSI to obtain a Post Graduate Diploma was, to me, an idea that could encourage other Liberian women to acquire skills without limitation.

On this basis, I joined others who rushed on the stage to greet her.

I am bringing in all these little points to say that I don’t necessarily have to know the Vice President before expressing my disagreement with the elements that treated her with such an open disrespect for reasons best known to themselves.

Since the action of the group, there have been various accounts about what may have led to such unacceptable behavior by the students, as some Liberians believe that the group was planted by certain elements in society for political reasons while others say they were venting their anger against the CDC-led Government of which Madam Taylor is the second in command. But then the question is why would a group of students publically and disrespectfully descend on Madam Taylor in such an irresponsible manner for “problems they think the government is not addressing?”

Again, the purpose of my opinion is not to look for the political witchcraft behind Madam Howard-Taylor verbal humiliation at the hands of a group of young people but to simply express my displeasure at how low our family and cultural values have come because of political reasons.

For those who demonstrated this unacceptable act against the Vice President, perhaps with the believe that they were trying to bring her down in the public on political grounds, I want them to realize that such action was a complete disrespect to womanhood.

Another thing that got me disappointed was that a local radio station, the next day went ahead to broadcast the very profanity in verbatim. I think it was a bad practice, the fact that it was like trying to increase the listenership for such expressions that could corrupt the mind of other young people in society, especially children.

Let’s remember that the expediency of embracing tendencies that discount the emblematic Liberian family and cultural values under the shelter of aggressive or contemporary student advocacy could be an executioner’s knife awaiting all of us.

Let me close with this popular phraseology: “Ashes Fall On Those Who Throw Them!”

The author