The Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Triumph for Liberia

Last Monday, October 29, our President, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, celebrated her 69th birthday. In her remarks to the gathered assembly of predominantly women, the President spoke of her leadership, the role of women, the country, a little about her life, and said something to the effect that this birthday was the one she’d remember best!Today, November 5, exactly seven days after her birthday, at a time when the President could still be receiving belated birthday wishes, President George W. Bush will bestow upon her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed upon an individual with a meritorious contribution to world peace and cultural, public or private service.I suspect in the remarks she will deliver to the assembly, which will not be predominantly women, the President will again speak of her leadership, the role of women, the country, maybe a little more of her life, and say something that would precisely have the effect of immortalizing November 5, 2007 as a day our country will remember forever.October 29 belongs exclusively to citizen Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; November 5 belongs to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the people of Liberia and the entire continent of Africa. As the first Liberian to get the Medal, the first West African, and the second African—Nelson Mandela received the Medal in 2002—Mrs. Sirleaf has been elevated on the same pedestal as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and many others whose life-long commitment was to leave our world a better place than they inherited.Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf is not quite half way through her first six year term as president, but judging from the leadership she has demonstrated through her government’s dedication to democratic principles, long-term economic vision, current road reconstruction projects, and more—has now thrust her as the presumptive frontrunner to become the greatest Liberian of the 21st century, if not in the history of the country.One benefit of receiving such an honor is that it gives the recipient an added incentive to set their sights on the attainment of more noble goals. So better for Liberia that its president is chosen for this honor, as it would inevitably unleash a newfound commitment and enthusiasm toward ensuring that the country continues in the right direction. What is equally worth mentioning is the other seven recipients of the Medal:Gary S. Becker is a University of Chicago economic professor and a recipient of the Noble Prize in economics. As a graduate student, I had the privilege of studying Becker’s theory of human capital. More specifically, his theory that countries seeking upward mobility on the international division of labor ladder (Liberia included) should therefore invest in human capital rather than physical stock because investment in the former has a higher rate of return than investment in the latter. Perhaps Liberia can learn and apply some of this theory.I was thrilled to learn that Brain P. Lamb, founder and Chairman of C-SPAN, a non-profit network financed by the cable industry, which features live and recorded public debate and discussion on politics and democracy in the U.S., will receive the Medal. According to a 1996 profile of Mr. Lamb in the Times, Mr. Lamb first conceived of the idea that there was a public who might sit still for long hours of watching politicians up close at work or play. I was that public. As an undergraduate student in broadcast journalism and a devotee of C-SPAN, I watched this iconic broadcast journalist interview several prominent people, from presidents to political activists and holocaust survivors. In June, just before I left the U.S. for Liberia, I watched Mr. Lamb interview Michael Gerson, a former chief speech writer for President Bush. Gerson is said to have provided Bush with many powerful and lasting expressions, such as “the soft bigotry of low expectations”—a phrase Bush used in a speech to capture how stereotypical and prejudicial opinions can affect minority students.In recognition of his advocacy for human rights and democracy in his native Cuba, the Presidential Medal of Freedom will also be bestowed upon Oscar Elias Biscet-Gonzalez, who is serving a twenty-five year prison sentence in Cuba for allegedly committing a crime against the sovereignty and integrity of the Cuban territory. In December, 2002, Dr. Biscet was arrested along with 11 other political dissidents for leading a petition drive for human freedom and was sentenced by the Cuban authority at the Combinado del Este Prison in Havana, Cuba.Also receiving the Medal will be Francis S. Collins, whose contribution to genetic research has made tremendous breakthrough and expanded our insight and understanding of the human genome and human DNA. Benjamin L. Hooks will receive the Medal for his advocacy and commitment toward the principle of equality, justice and freedom for all men and women. He was a pioneer of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.Nelle Harper Lee will be recognized for her contribution to the study of literature, in particular, for her best-selling novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1960.And Henry John Hyde, a former member of the US Congress, who represented the 6th District of Illinois from 1975 to 2006, will be honored for his commitment to freedom around the world. According to a press release, Mr. Hyde served America with distinction, especially during his career in the House where he became a powerful defender of life and a leading advocate for a strong national defense.This year’s honorees all have a demonstrable track record of success, fortitude, and commitment at what they have done and continue to do to make our world a better place. Thus, President Bush’s decision to award the Medal is clearly vindicated by their exemplary service to all of humanity. For Liberia, this is particularly important, given our history of bad leadership which did so well to represent our shame and disgrace rather than its pride and dignity. That our President is being recognized for helping to heal our country devastated by years of political and ethnic division should be seen not as a personal accomplishment for her, but as a national and collective triumph over the subculture of violence and destruction of the past 14 years.