Enough has been said by the previous respondents. Liberia is our Liberia. Our history is our history. The things that the ill-informed professor wants to change is what make Liberia unique and makes its history truly Liberian. Quit this nonsense about rewriting history. For some of us who left the country, a long time, these names and our memories are all we can hang on. Let us all work to developing the country and quit wasting the peoples time with foolishness that will not benefit our people. God bless Liberia.

I must thank Dr. Malakpa for the national oration delivered on our National Independence Day and I think his speech deserve more dissecting. But on the onset I must categorically reject his recommendation calling for changing the name of Monrovia, changing the national symbols and changing certain major streets such as Newport and Gurley and place such as Bushrod Island. Dr. Malakpa further requested change in Liberia History indicating Liberia predated 1822. I wish the learned intellectual to understand certain basic facts about Liberia before landing on this wide ambition or otherwise fantasy. At present, what is of urgent need to our beloved country, Liberia is action not rhetorics. We need action in national policies that will rigorously tackle poverty, ignorance, illiteracy and tribalism and division. His call contained flaws and would had the potential of confusing our people and students who need to learn and know about their country. The word " Liberia" never existed in any vocabulary of any of the dialects or langauges of Liberia prior to 1822. But I must state the meaning reflects the history of every group making up the country. From oral history that I received from ancestors, the people of Bolloh (a cline in Gran Kru County)found themselves arriving in present day Liberia as a consequence of fleeing hunger, war, and suppresion eminating from events leading to the breakup of the then Ghana Empire. They wanted freedom and peace I strongly believe the case likewise other pre-1822 settlers making up the tribes of present day Liberia. The land and people preexisting Liberia were divided into mini kingdoms under various tribal chiefs bearing no allegience or alliance with any constituted or central or federal government. For instance and as may be the case of other tribal, the Kru tribe contained several clines which were independent of each other. Example, Bolloh, Picnic Cess, Sacleo, Buah just to name few clines of the Kru tribes were never governed by any single or centralized administration prior to 1822. The idea of nationhood was not born yet among various settling tribes at that time until the landing of the freed slaves from western countries. It is important for Dr. Malakpa to know that Liberia history is rich but we need caution how to proceed without offending others or marginalizing other segment. Every group or segment of Liberia is important and we should not do anything to undermine that aspect of history. We can teach Liberians to accept and appreciate their past rather then preach denial. When it comes to propounding on what constitute our national identity, one will be horrified to learn that there is no one symbol or hero that will not ignite horrible imagery to the others. But the only undeniably and most powerful symbol or hero of Liberia is our constitution, the need to respect our laws. That is the only hope available to forge genuine change and patriotism in and among Liberians. That is why it becomes laughable to have people in our present day legislature who are by large ignorant of the very laws and constitution they sworn to uphold. Hence, the fundamental of all changes needed in Liberia now is education. Thanks.

Does the good professor have any idea how many homeless kids we have in the streets of Liberia today? when he sits at his dinner table having breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks does he even think that there are thousands of kids roaming the streets of Liberia dumpster diving looking for food to eat, a place to sleep for the night? as you live in the protected boundaries of the USA, do you think and remember that those kids are still in harms way? when they are sick, hungry and crying do you reach out a helping hand to them? Mr. professor as you make your speach about changes, I hope and pray that you remember we as today's leaders, have lots of work to do and that is to mold the minds positively of our future leaders for tomorrow.

Thanks Dr. Visually-impaired Professor for the Liberian history homework. But sadly it was a homework done at the 11th hour, hence your grade is the 11th hour score: FAIR. Your next assignment: Research topic; Liberian History pre 1822. Give a comprehensive account of what you think is Liberian History pre 1822. Compare and contrast this research with the present Liberian History that you have problem with. Do your add and drop and at the end of your research we expect a UNIQUE product, THE ABSOLUTE AND FLAWLESS LIBERIAN HISTORY according to the Visually-Impaired Dr. Professor... Prepare for the presentation of this document to the Liberian people on July 26,2030. Perhaps by this time many of us would have gone to school and known what you are talking about. Mr Professor, one of the best things you could do is to lobby for scholarships for other visually impaired Liberians to benefit as you did. We need books, visual and hearing aids for thousands of less fortunate Liberians. If you reach out in the US as a visually impaired Dr. Prof. with a good heart to help your Liberian brothers and sisters, you will surely get sponsors. We hope to see that 60ft container at the Freeport with these donations through the Dr. Prof's effort from the USA. Please come down to Earth. You seem to be living on Jupiter. Life is real in Liberia. Thanks.

Mr. Think Twice

Thanks Dr. Visually-impaired Professor for the Liberian history homework. But sadly it was a homework done at the 11th hour, hence your grade is the 11th hour score: FAIR. Your next assignment: Research topic; Liberian History pre 1822. Give a comprehensive account of what you think is Liberian History pre 1822. Compare and contrast this research with the present Liberian History that you have problem with. Do your add and drop with the new names of all streets and new national symbol and anthem and at the end of your research we expect a UNIQUE product, THE ABSOLUTE AND FLAWLESS LIBERIAN HISTORY according to the Visually-Impaired Dr. Professor... Prepare for the presentation of this document to the Liberian people on July 26,2030. Perhaps by this time many of us would have gone to school and known what you are talking about. Mr Professor, one of the best things you could do is to lobby for scholarships for other visually impaired Liberians to benefit as you did. We need books, visual and hearing aids for thousands of less fortunate Liberians. If you reach out in the US as a visually impaired Dr. Prof. with a good heart to help your Liberian brothers and sisters, you will surely get sponsors. We hope to see that 60ft container at the Freeport with these donations through the Dr. Prof's effort from the USA. Please come down to Earth. You seem to be living on Jupiter. Life is real in Liberia. Thanks.

Mr. Think Twice

BRAVO!Well said. Authors:Ignoramus and tonyhammaw, I want to thank you friends, for so eloquently stating your point on the speech given by Dr. Malkpa to rename Monrovia. I couldn't have written any better even if I tried. Amen