In a nutshell, we Eritreans must understand our "Root of Evil" to dismantle the workings of evil in our midst and to safeguard our society from repeating the mistakes of the past which paved the way to our present juncture.  Not everyone is a history buff and not every historical account is relevant but a solid understanding of the key players who formed the modern state of Eritrea, beginning with the oppressive Italian colonial practices, the practices of the transitional government under British Administration, the tumultuous federation followed by annexation to Ethiopia, the armed struggle - gedli, the post-independence "glory days" for many but not for a few, and finally the "Border War" followed by the rapidly deteriorating quality of life for many but not for a few.   

My keen interest in analyzing the past to understand the present and chart the future is not shared with many younger Eritreans; some are compelled to forget the past and seize today to somehow make this their era.  An examined life is worth recording for the lessons learned and I consider a nation no different because people make the nation. Furthermore, writing Laws of the Land is not equal to writing laws of the heart. 

Look no further than the nation building process of the greatest democracy in modern history - the good 'ole USA - to, again, understand how building a democracy is forged from within at great cost now and then. Nobody arrived in the US to tell them how to operate their democracy. Yet it slowly came together after the Independence War to the Civil War, from the exponentially growing lynchings in the South post-Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement, from the deadly Labor Union fights to the enactments of fair Labor Laws ... Yes, lessons Eritrea needs to employ today exist in the great American story - people, not Laws, change the political landscape! 

I wish more Eritreans took time to read the Human Rights Watch reports on grim prison statistics in the US to deflect hypocritical accusations and vow to fully integrate ALL Eritreans so no second-class emerges based on ethnic/religious/political standing. Eritrea equally belongs to all Eritreans, though everyone will not equally contribute NOR agree on how to advance Eritrea's interests. Many already gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of establishing and advancing national interests for all Eritreans, including all those who died because they genuinely voiced dissent with the PFDJ regime now and during the distant past of the gedli. Because I equally value the blood of those we buried some decades ago to those we buried today, I find the resolve to continue working on this bridge to a peaceful and prosperous Eritrea. 

"Resolve to continue working" means what exactly?  1. Defend Eritrea's Sovereignty. 2. Support home-grown Eritrean opposition movements working inside Eritrea (underground until the time is ripe). 3. Support agencies assisting Eritrean refugees abroad. 4. Promote a sense of unity between Eritreans on how to bring about desired change - an inside job - by memorializing the historical and political lessons.  'What lessons have we learned?' is a great question I'm expecting everyone to comment on. 

1.     The Politbiro of Eritrea did not tolerate criticism since its inception and the vast majority of the famous G15 shared that legacy with their leader. What went around came around with a vengeance - it's a matter  of time for all who remain who belonged to that intolerant class.

2.     The divisive spirit of classism, racism, religious discrimination, political differences  always seeks to rear its ugly face at every turn, so guard the tongue or better yet, the thoughts, towards those very different from yourself.  (No law of the land can override this law of the heart effectively - I'm suffering from despising some opposition movements but at least we can dialogue despite our differences. I hope!)

3.     The darkest hour is just before the break of dawn, so never quit looking for the rising Sun over Eritrea for there is always vindication for the blood of those who died for a just cause.

May the Diaspora step back enough to personalize Eritrea's lessons and ultimately return to Eritrea to bring about the necessary changes. Risk our lives?  Risk our livelihoods?  Risk ...   If we don't, who will?  AFRICOM?  It's not possible to cook with utensils only. Sometimes you just have to handle the food with your bare hands and nation building is the same. You must not settle for writing books or reading other people's books about Eritrea. Become the Eritrea you want Eritrea to be.