In Liberia’s rich history, two distinct political eras unfold, reflecting the evolution of young people’s empowerment and national aspirations.
By: Austin S Fallah, contributing writer
The late 1970s and 1980s were characterized by political revolutionaries who ignited a passion among young people for social and economic emancipation and urged them to advocate for justice and collective progress.
This era was marked by fervent activism and a commitment to a brighter future for all.
In stark contrast, the 1990s-2024 and the current generation of Liberian politicians appear to be fostering a culture of corruption, embezzlement, uprooting power, refusing to give up control, and disillusionment, teaching the youth/young populace to exploit state resources rather than champion societal change.
Today’s leaders seem more inclined to serve their interests than their predecessors, leaving a troubling legacy for future generations.
Thus, the need for young people to reclaim their potential becomes imperative as they navigate a society rife with challenges.
To begin with, the political revolutionaries of the late 1970s and 1980s instilled a sense of duty within the youth and young adults at the time.
These leaders emerged when Liberia was battling systemic inequality and a deprivation of fundamental human rights.
They motivated young people to rise against injustice, question the status quo, and advocate for their rights and the rights of the marginalized.
The spirit of this revolution encouraged a generation to envision a nation where everyone could thrive socially and economically, fostering a sense of hope and purpose amongst the youth.
Young Liberians were not just passive observers but active participants in the political landscape, forging a brighter future through civic engagement.
Conversely, Liberia’s current political climate (1990s-2024 and + (plus)) offers a starkly different narrative.
Some 1990s-2024 + 2025 so-called politicians seem focused on perpetuating a culture of looting, political control, hooliganism, and corruption, eroding the foundational values that once united the nation in pursuing progress.
Corruption has become endemic, a career for some, with some political leaders embezzling state resources while simultaneously promoting a culture of indifference towards the well-being of their fellow citizens, particularly the downtrodden/destitute.
This situation creates a damning legacy as the current generation of leaders teaches the youth to abandon their dreams for a stable future.
By endorsing criminal behavior to secure personal wealth, these politicians demonstrate a troubling disregard for the nation’s and its people’s needs.
Moreover, the disconnection between some so-called current-day Liberian politicians and educational access for their children contrasts sharply with the revolutionary ethos of the past.
While the so-called self-proclaimed political class indulges in privilege, sending their children abroad for better education, they simultaneously disenfranchise the local youth/young people, depriving them of growth opportunities.
The hypocrisy is stifling, and politicians who should champion the cause of education and empowerment for all are instead building barriers preventing youth/young people from pursuing their aspirations.
This dual standard fosters resentment and disillusionment among the younger generation, who grapple with limited opportunities, worsening unemployment rates, and hopelessness.
Human rights abuses, rampant violence against women, children,n and adults rights, and the destruction of property further highlight the detrimental effects of the current political landscape.
The burning of state properties, including significant landmarks like the Capitol Building, symbolizes a troubling disregard for the social contract between the leaders and the citizens.
This destructive behavior disrupts government functions and instills fear and chaos within society.
Instead of advocating for peaceful dialogue and constructive approaches to reform, some of today’s politicians seem to glorify acts of violence and degradation.
Influenced by these actions, the youth/young people may forge their identities around aggression and rebellion rather than critical discourse and peaceful protest, an alarming shift from past ideals
In contrast, the revolutionary leaders of the 1970s and 1980s encouraged resilience and civic involvement.
They inspired young people to believe in the power of collective action and the importance of fighting for equity and justice.
This spirit of activism played a critical role in shaping Liberia’s political landscape, as the youth rallied for social change and participated actively in governance.
They saw their involvement as a right and a responsibility, a means of connecting their aspirations with national development.
The enlightenment that characterized this era is a sharp deviation from the apathy that seems to dominate the current attitude.
Many well-meaning young people and youthful individuals have withdrawn from political engagement entirely, disheartened by corruption.
The influence of role models cannot be underestimated.
The revolutionary politicians acted as catalysts for a movement championing collective upliftment, for which we can discuss multiparty democracy today.
They opened doors for youth to engage with social justice and economic equality ideas.
Their teachings were laced with hope and empowerment, emphasizing that real change is possible when individuals unite for a common purpose.
This ideological framework fosters a sense of responsibility, creativity, and ambition among youths, propelling them to seek solutions rather than surrender to despair.
However, the present crop of politicians fails to convey similar values.
Normalizing unethical behavior and self-interest sends a troubling message to the youth.
Success is attainable only through dishonesty and exploitation.
This mindset derails individual ambitions and undermines the nation’s potential for collective growth.
When youths and young people are taught to be looters of state resources, they become complicit in a cycle of corruption that traps them and their communities in poverty and underdevelopment.
Liberian youths and young people must awaken and reassess their values and aspirations.
They must recognize the opportunities available and respectfully and peacefully demand accountability from their leaders.
It is time for us, the young adult generation, to become catalysts for change, inspired by the ideals of the past but armed with the tools and knowledge of the present.
By refusing to accept the status quo, they can redefine what it means to be active citizens who advocate for social and economic justice for themselves and their communities.
The future of Liberia rests on the shoulders of its youth.
Engaging in dialogue about rights, responsibilities, and empowerment is imperative.
Practical education should prioritize integrity, civic engagement, and leadership.
Youth/young people must cultivate resilience against the temptations of corruption, a fruitless, baseless demonstration that leads nowhere, and seek paths of legitimate success.
They must become advocates for transparency, lobby for political reform, and insist on ethical governance that prioritizes the people’s needs over personal gain.
Comparing Liberia’s revolutionary past with its political climate reveals a concerning trajectory.
In the late 1970s and 1980s, revolutionary leaders motivated young people to stand for social and economic emancipation.
Still, today (1990-2024 & counting), some politicians exemplify a culture of corruption and lawlessness through ill-informed, fruitless, organized demonstrations and exploitation, urging young people to compromise their ethics for personal gain.
It is imperative that Liberian youths not only acknowledge the dissonance between these two eras but also act towards reclaiming their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
The lessons of history dictate a path toward hopeful change, urging young individuals to uphold the values of justice, emancipation, and integrity for the benefit of their nation and their future.
Time is running out, urging a resurgence of activism among today’s youth/young people, a call to arms, not in violence but in the unwavering pursuit of a better Liberia.
