Why African Americans should embrace Liberia as Jewish Americans embrace Israel

How do Jewish Americans or American Jews support Israel? For one thing there is an Israeli lobby in Washington. There is a group called the American Jewish Committee. These efforts are partly responsible for the huge support Israel enjoys in America. One source shows that in 2006, Israel received over $4 billion in foreign aid from the USA.

Why can't black Americans do the same for Liberia? Why Liberia, and not any other African country? African Americans who learn the history of Liberia will find out why.

Robert Johnson, the founder of BET (Black Entertainment Television) and first black billionaire has been leading efforts to rally African Americans' interest in Liberia. Mr. Johnson says "Liberia is open for business", and he yearns for fellow black Americans to team up with him.

What does Liberia have to offer besides the beggar's palm? That small nation is home to 40% of West Africa's tropical rain forest. Liberia is rich in mineral resources, including iron ore, gold, diamond. There are fishing resources as well as 350 miles of coastline and accessible stretches of beaches along the Atlantic coast of West Africa.

The booming economy of Ghana showcases what happens when an African country becomes politically stable to allow commerce to thrive. The boom in Ghana can be echoed in Liberia.

Robert Johnson wants fellow African Americans involved in Liberia because of that country's historical ties to the United States. Liberia was the first African nation to take sides with America in World War II. The defeat of Nazi German forces in North Africa can be traced to Liberia allowing the United States to serve as the airbase for Allied forces on African soil.

With a population estimated between three to five million, Liberia has ties with the US that dates further back than WWII. Africa's first republic was founded by former black slaves whose voyage to and settlement in West Africa was funded by the American Colonization Society (ACS) in the 1820s. Beginning with Joseph Jenkins Roberts in 1848, Liberia's first ten presidents were African Americans. And after them, presidents of Liberia until April 12, 1980 were descendants of African Americans or Americo-Liberians.

Because of this history the Republic of Liberia is patterned after the government of the United States, with the first constitution of Liberia written by Simon Greenleaf, a Harvard University law professor. Despite the diversity of sixteen African languages, Liberia's national and street language is English, which makes it easy for black Americans to fit right in (if they quickly train their ears and tongue for Liberian English). To this day many Liberians wear American-sounding names like Lincoln, Washington, Brownell, Davis, etc. (Obviously I'm not exactly one of them.)

Like America, Liberia has three branches of government: executive; legislature with two houses (representatives and senate); judiciary. The Liberian flag has the same colors as the American emblem -- red, white, blue. Our Pledge Of Allegiance mimics that of the United States.

An accountant/economist friend of mine says in the next five years Liberia will be among the top-ten fastest growing economies in the world. African Americans can take advantage of this golden opportunity, or they can stand by, giving preference to Lebanese, Chinese, Indians, Jews, and others.

In a follow-up article I will briefly brainstorm the many ways black Americans can enrich themselves by investing in Liberia and helping to rebuild their fallen glory. It's a win-win for us siblings on both sides of the Atlantic. ~mogama~