The NEWS (Monrovia)
Alloycious David
28 July 2008
Monrovia — A visually-impaired Liberian lawyer and professor based in the United States of America, Dr. Sakui Malakpa has suggested that the name, Monrovia, be changed to reflect Liberian history.
Dr. Malakpa made the suggestion when he served as the Orator during the 161st Independence Day anniversary of Liberia on July 26.
Monrovia, the Liberian capital, formerly called Christopolis, was named in honor of the 5th President of the United States of America James Monroe.
But Dr. Malakpa said President Monroe regarded black people as 'dangerous to society' and proposed their transfer to Africa.
A graduate of the Harvard University in the United States, Dr. Malakpa said studies have established that James Monroe hated and ill-treated black people some of whom were resettled in Liberia as free slaves.
In a speech entitled, "Hoping on the Inevitability of Change: Our Challenges, Chances, Choices," Dr. Malakpa urged the National Legislature to consider the introduction of a bill that seeks to rename the city of Monrovia, adding "I hope that the changing of the name of Monrovia will not negatively affect the long-standing ties with the United States."
"The changing of the name of Monrovia is expensive. Some people will not support the idea. It takes courage and time to change the name of a capital and country," he said, making reference to Mozambique's capital which was later changed to Maputo.
He also urged the government to consider renaming some places such as Newport and Gurley streets and Bushrod Island, stressing "we need to question names like Bushrod, Newport and Gurley.
Dr. Malakpa also wants government to look at the national symbols including the flag and seal so that they reflect Liberia's true history.
He said Liberians need to rise from intellectual slumber and interrogate the country's past to derive at a more comprehensive understanding of the country's present state.
Dr. Malakpa indicated that the country has gone through colossal of changes, including the election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa's first female President contrary to banning women from participating in electoral process.
He said Liberians should accept the things they can not change and change what they can.
Dr. Malakpa is also advocating for the re-writing of Liberia's history, as he is in disagreement with the impression that Liberia's history started in 1822 when the free slaves were brought as many historians have written.
He said Liberia written history has omitted people who were here prior to the coming of free slaves from America, and added that "historians have distorted their names, thus referring to them as King Peter, King Long Peter."
The Liberian professor also wants Liberian languages and cultural tradition included in the country's school curriculum.
"We have a chance to make a difference. We have a chance to make a difference through the provision of scholarships and public proclamations," he said amidst applauses.
Disclosing that the freed slaves were not homogeneous, Dr. Malakpa said Liberians are one people and must continue to see themselves as one family.
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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… [Read Full Text]
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… [Read Full Text]
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… [Read Full Text]
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… [Read Full Text]
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
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.