7/10/2025
My Dear Friend & POTUS, DJT,
I was sorry that your attempt to compliment Liberian Pres. J N Boakai’s excellent English fell flat. While I know you were trying to be encouraging, your comments revealed a limited knowledge of African American history. Not surprising because most Americans are unaware that English became the official language of Liberia when it was established in 1822 to become a home for formerly enslaved & free Black people from the USA.
I encourage you to apologize for your micro-aggression by pleading ignorance of the fact that language has been “weaponized to question legitimacy & competence.” To learn more about this, I encourage you to consult with Julian Wennah, the director of Research at the African Methodist Episcopal University, who gave you the benefit of the doubt by saying you were trying to acknowledge, “Boakai’s polish, intellect, & readiness for global engagement.”
While I appreciate that you’d like us to shift “from aid to trade” in West Africa because it is “far more effective & sustainable & beneficial than anything else that we can be doing together,” As you know building capitalist enterprises takes time so I ask that you continue to support health care in that part of the world so they can handle AIDS, Ebola & yellow fever. I know how heart wrenching it is for you to see photos of children who are suffering so I urge you to restore funding to support clinics & hospitals.
Regarding Burma, I regret to inform you that four children were among the dead as regime jets targeted resistance-held Mawchi in Karenni & TNLA-controlled Mogoke in Mandalay Region. I ask that you call Dr Tayzar San who was extensively quoted in the Irrawaddy today for his ideas about what the NUG needs to do to maintain the trust, support & active participation of the people.
We want to keep the hope of democracy alive around the world, so let’s empower leaders to do their best.
BYBS,