The Writer

A reply to the publisher, cum Editor/ Consultant A.K.A. Tunde Olateji / Cyrenius Cephas on his Editorial titled “We'll not be intimidated” in his pamphlet of Wednesday, Aug 22nd 2007, Vol 4 22 The Plain Truth newspaper.

I love to read Newspapers, Magazines, and Novels surround me at all times. However I am also selective in what I read. In Liberia where Newspapers are concerned I read the Daily Observer, The New Democrat, The Inquirer, The Analyst and The News. These five papers are brought to my home from Monday to Friday you can check from my young newspaper vendor who arrives by 8:30 9:00 am daily, you will observe that The Plain Truth is not among the list. I said, I am selective! On Friday Aug 17th, my attention was drawn to an editorial in the Plain Truth. The informer could only give me a summary, but from what was being said, my curiosity was aroused, especially when the subject was about my younger Brother Boima, who happens to be the National Security Advisor. I then sent out to get a copy of the said pamphlet.

I am a child of the Media. From 1965 I served with the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service, 1967-1968 at Voice of Kenya, Liberian Broadcasting Corporation, and Voice of America (VOA). I was also a card carrying member of the PUL in 1985 and a contributor to the then Footprints newspaper. I mention all these in passing to show that I have no bias against the Media. I have a hatred for mediocrity and that is my grip with our Media today. you must forgive me, I grew up reading S.B Cole, Albert Porte, C.C. Dennis, G. Henry Andrews, Staton Peabody, Kenneth Best, Rufus Darpoh, Bill Frank, Jeff Mutada and others, so it breaks my heart today when individuals who cannot even write a feature article without errors galore, are passing off today as publishers and editors, and using their pamphlets to spew out lies, gossip and evil, under the guise of practicing Journalism and their right to free speech. I went to jail for the “Rights” that Journalist enjoy today and I am proud of it, but for those who feel that they can use this freedom to divide us and try to railroad the wishes of the people, we are ready to stand up to them. If a military regime could not intimidate me, you bet no little badly written, gutter pamphlet will either. I could take the writer to school if I tried to comment on every line, but my time is too precious, however, I would like to clarify a few of his points. Yes I was mad! His Editorial was evil, divisive, hypocritical and full of malice and I felt that he is one of those who don't want to see our nation progressing. Profanity? Yes! Why not? When you have to deal with a gutter press like his, you have to go down to the gutter, and I make no apology for using the expletives “deletives”!

People of Liberia, Be warned! There are many in our midst today, who will do everything in their power to undermine this government, a government that was voted for by 59% of the voting population in the First Free and Fair elections in this country in the past one hundred years. A small percentage of the remaining 41% have refused to be good losers and join the rest of us to move our country forward. And so they nurse their wounds and loss of potential jobs and positions by spewing garbage all day long. Well, I'm not a politician, and I am not running for any office in this land, but this is MY COUNTRY, and MY GOVERNMENT and I'll fight those who wish to divide patriotic Liberians in their service to their nation. Last but not the least, Mr. Tunde Cephas, or whoever he is, is concerned about the fact that I am “50 more or less” and still use my Father's name and live in my mothers house, and I am supposed to be educated, well bred and a promoter of family values and a role model for our girl children, having exhausted all the night Clubs in Monrovia as a hanky panky Musician etc.

Fact 1. I am 59, years old going to 60, a proud mother of two children and even a prouder grandmother of 3.

Fact 2. I am proud of my Father's Name forever! It's more recognisable than Wilson! I married T. Bone Wilson, a Guyanese writer and actor on December 1st 1978 in London, England.

Fact 3. I am proud that my mother, a school teacher for many years, was disciplined and farsighted enough to build a home, which she told us was our home, a home we could return to anytime, especially after years of carnage to give us shelter.

Fact 4. I do not see myself as a role model for my girls. I hold up women like Fatimah Massaquoi Fahnbulleh, Mary Antoinette Brown Sherman, Emma Walser, Virginal Sherman, Zoe Caine, Theresa Leigh Sherman, Ettie Tarpeh, Obaa (Eleanor Akufo- Addo), My Mother Mary N. Brownell and the President of this Republic, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman to be elected President on this continent. Wow! What an achievement! If she drops dead tomorrow, she's in the History Books. Where is your place in the history books, Mr. Plain Truth?

Fact 5. I am proud of having exhausted all the night clubs in Monrovia as a hanky panky musician in the 70's & 80's. It prepared me for an international audience in Europe, America and Africa, where I am still called to sing for Presidents, Royalties, and lovers of “good entertainment”. I really don't expect the likes of you to see me as an artist, for you don't even know what art is, less more to appreciate it, so keep stewing in your jealousy, your malice, your inferiority complex, your ignorance and bitterness, but we will continue to work on behalf of our people, the children especially. To teach them as our parents taught us, to give them hope, positive thinking and educational opportunities, so that they don't end up like you! A warning, Mr. Plain Truth! My grandfather, Nete-Sie Brownell, wrote, my father, Henry Boima Fahnbulleh, Sr., wrote, my mother, Mary N. Brownell, writes! My younger Brother, Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, Jr. writes and now you've brought me out of the closet. I'm ready to do battle with the pen! Come on! Publish if you dare! But in case you don't, I am sending it public.

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