For U.S.-based Liberians, pre-vote passions

Disappointed with ‘stepchild’ status
Richard Diggs, 32, pulled up curbside in a minivan and waited patiently to have his say about the situation in Liberia. A behavioral specialist who has lived in the U.S. for two years, he works in social services. (In fact, two of the people he works with were sitting in the backseat of his comfortable mini-van, replete with air-fresheners, as he chatted.)

“For me, I’m disappointed by the fact that the very people that have caused that our country, Liberia, to become what it is today, are the very same people that we see again coming to this election,” said Diggs, referring to several candidates with ties to previous regimes.

“If I could vote for George Weah, I would.” Diggs added. “Is he the person I would really love to become president of Liberia, no…. But between two evils, you pick the lesser evil…. He is the only angel who is coming forward to help us.”

Diggs said he felt let down by America, particularly in light of its history with Liberia. “We look up to America for leadership, for guidance, but they were never there,” said Diggs.

He added that he was angered by what he calls “stepchild” status Liberia has been given by the U.S.

“We fought our war over there, but they didn’t do anything. I am disappointed in the cold shoulder that America has given Liberia.”

Praying for the best
The group of women selling vegetables disagreed with Diggs’ opinion of their adopted country.

Mary Williams, 54, who has lived in this country for ten years, said she thanks God everyday for the help Americans have given her country.

“We pray for America. From the bottom of my heart, I thank God for George Bush…. Once the American troops got on the shore, everything went fine. There were no more tears, no more shooting,” she said, referring to U.S. military involvement in securing a ceasefire in Monrovia in 2003.

Marta Garnett, who sat with Williams, explained her gratitude for American involvement in securing the peace in her country: “When the war started, America was the only country that came to our rescue, before any other country. I thank God for America.”

As for the election, the women were putting their trust in God for some form of deliverance. “We are praying for God to put who he wants to be the president of Liberia,” said Garnett.

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