The Case of Melaku E. Bayen and John Robinson
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March/April 2009 http://www.ethiopianworldfederation.com Issue 4 EWF Inc 1 Ethiopian & African Executive Council American Relations: The Locals What’s On Case of Melaku E. Bayen Inspiration 8 and John Robinson Save Our Culture So Jah Say Important Dates Mainstream 12 Well Being Society Market Place 16 Melaku E. Bayen (left) and Colonel John Robinson (right) Seventy two years ago, African cans has also contributed, in my opinion, to Products and Services Americans of all classes, regions, genders, the re-Africanization of Ethiopia. This arti- and beliefs expressed their opposition cle attempts to examine the history of the to and outrage over the Italian invasion relations between Ethiopians and African Contacts 18 of Ethiopia in various forms and vari- Americans by focusing on brief biographies ous means. The invasion aroused African of two great leaders, one from Ethiopia and Americans – from intellectuals to common another one from African America, who people in the street – more than any other Headquarters made extraordinary contributions to these Pan-African-oriented historical events or relations. Locals movements had. It fired the imagination It is fair to argue that the Italo- of African Americans and brought to the Ethiopian War in the 1930s was instrumen- surface the organic link to their ancestral tal in the rebirth of the Pan-African move- Disclaimer land and peoples. ment. The African Diaspora was mobilized The Ethiopian World Federation In- 1935 was indeed a turning point in support of the Ethiopian cause during corporated supports economic de- in the relations between Ethiopia and the both the war and the subsequent Italian velopment in the African commu- African Diaspora. Harris calls 1935 a wa- occupation of Ethiopia. Italy’s brutal at- nity, but does not accept liability tershed in the history of African peoples. It tempt to wipe out the symbol of freedom for any issues relating to products was a year when the relations substantively and hope to the African world ultimately and services of those advertising in shifted from symbolic to actual interac- became a powerful catalyst in the struggle the Voice of Ethiopia. tions. The massive expression of support against colonialism and oppression. The for the Ethiopian cause by African Ameri- Continued on page 3 EWF Inc Greetings e are half way through the Ethiopian year and are aware that members worldwide are busy with preparations for the Battle of Adwa Victory and Empress Menen celebrations. It is important that we commemo- rate significant and historic events and make time to honour the ancestors who have laid the foun- “W dation for us to build upon. Some of our new members and non-member readers may not know why or how the Ethio- pian World Federation Incorporated came about. We have therefore devoted this issue to the history of the organisation by including extra articles from the original Voice of Ethiopia newspa- per, which was published in New York during the 1930’s and 40’s and distributed throughout the world”. Finally as this is the first issue since the ‘inauguration’ of Barak Obama as USA President, we have included photographs from members who attended, what for some was a symbolic mo- ment in African American history. Editorial Team Contributors Correction Barrymore Tittle Apologies to Ras DloLevi for omitting his name Kwende Anbessa-Ebanks Malieka Robinson from the article about Negusa Negast Local 3 Ras DloLevi Enterprise, which he contributed for inclusion in Wolete Gabreal Issue 3. Italo-Ethiopian War brought about an ex- colonization, elimination of racial discrimi- during the war. The Fords and other follow- traordinary unification of African people’s nation in the United States, African unity, ers of Marcus Garvey settled in Ethiopia in political awareness and heightened level of and political empowerment of African peo- the 1920s. Mignon Ford raised her family political consciousness. Africans, African ple. among Ethiopians as Ethiopians. Her chil- Americans, Afro-Caribbean’s, and other One of the most significant Pan- dren, fluent speakers of Amharic, have been Diaspora and continental Africans from Africanist Conferences took place in 1945, at home both in Ethiopia and the United every social stratum were in union in their immediately after the defeat of the Italians States support of Ethiopia, bringing the establish- in Ethiopia and the end of World War II. ment of “global Pan-Africanism.” The bru- This conference passed resolutions clearly Pan-Africanists in Thoughts & Practice tal aggression against Ethiopia made it clear demanding the end of colonization in Af- to African people in the United States that rica, and the question of self-determination Melaku E. Bayen, an Ethiopian, the Europeans’ intent and purpose was to emerged as the most important issue of the significantly contributed to the re-Africani- conquer, dominate, and exploit all African time. As Mazrui and Tidy put it: “To a con- zation of Ethiopia. His noble dedication people. Mussolini’s disregard and outright siderable extent the 1945 Congress was a to the Pan-African cause and his activities contempt for the sovereignty of Ethio- natural outgrowth of Pan-African activity in the United States helped to dispel the pia angered and reawakened the African in Britain since the outbreak of the Italo- notion of “racial fog” that surrounded the world. Ethiopian War.” Ethiopians. William R. Scott expounded on Response went beyond mere con- Another of the most remark- this: “Melaku Bayen was the first Ethiopian demnation by demanding self-determina- able outcomes of the reawakening of the seriously and steadfastly to commit himself tion and independence for all colonized African Diaspora was the emergence of so to achieving spiritual and physical bonds of African people throughout the world. For many outstanding leaders, among them fellowship between his people and peoples instance, the 1900-1945 Pan-African Con- the Ethiopian Melaku E. Bayen and the of African descent in the Americas. Melaku gresses regularly issued statements that em- African American John Robinson. Other exerted himself to the fullest in attempting phasized a sense of solidarity with Haiti, outstanding leaders were Willis N. Hug- to bring about some kind of formal and Ethiopia, and Liberia, thereby affirming the gins, Arnold Josiah Ford, and Mignon In- continuing relationship designed to benefit importance of defending the sovereignty nis Ford, who were active against the war in both the Ethiopian and Afro-American.” and independence of African and Afro-Car- both the United States and Ethiopia. Mi- To Scott, Bayen’s activities stand out as ibbean states. A new generation of militant gnon Ford, the founder of Princess Zenebe “the most prominent example of Ethiopian Pan-Africanists emerged who called for de- Work School, did not even leave Ethiopia Continued on page 3 EWF Inc identification with African Americans and student at Howard. According to Joseph He died in a plane crash in 1954. seriously challenges the multitude of claims Harris, the Council was regarded as the Scott makes the following criti- which have been made now for a long time principal link between Ethiopians and Af- cal assessment of Robinson’s historical role about the negative nature of Ethiopian at- rican Americans in the early years of the in building ties between Ethiopia and the titudes toward African Americans.” Italo-Ethiopian conflict. The Council’s pa- African Diaspora. I quote him in length: The issues raised by Scott and pers are housed at the Moorland-Spingarn “Rarely, if ever, is there any mention of John the exemplary Pan-Africanism of Melaku Research Center at Howard University. At Robinson’s role as Haile Selassie’s special Bayen are useful in establishing respectful present, Professor Aster Mengesha of Ari- courier during the Italo-Ethiopian conflict. and meaningful relations between Ethiopia zona State University heads the Ethiopian He has been but all forgotten in Ethiopia and the African Diaspora. They dedicated Research Council. Leo Hansberry was the as well as in Afro-America. [Ambassodor their entire lives in order to lay down the recipient of Emperor Haile Selassie’s Trust Brazeal mentioned his name at the plant- foundation for relations rooted in mutual Foundation Prize in the 1960s. ing of a tree to honor the African Diaspora understanding and historical facts, free of Melaku founded and published in Addis Ababa recently.] Nonetheless, it is stereotypes and false perceptions. African the Voice of Ethiopia, the media organ of important to remember John Robinson, as American scholars, such as William Scott, the Ethiopian World Federation and a pro- one of the two Afro-Americans to serve in Joseph E. Harris, and Leo Hansberry con- African newspaper that urged the “millions the Ethiopia campaign and the only one to tributed immensely by documenting the of the sons and daughters of Ethiopia, scat- be consistently exposed to the dangers of thoughts and activities of Bayen, both in tered throughout the world, to join hands the war front. Ethiopia and the United States. with Ethiopians to save Ethiopia from the Colonel Robinson stands out in Melaku E. Bayen was raised and wolves of Europe.” Melaku founded the Afro-America as perhaps the very first of educated in the compound of Ras Mekon- Ethiopian World Federation in 1937, and the minute number of Black Americans to nen, then the Governor of Harar and the it eventually became one of the most im- have ever taken up arms to defend the Afri- father of Emperor Haile Selassie. He was portant international organizations, with can homeland against the forces of imperi- sent to India to study medicine in 1920 at branches throughout the United States, alism.” the age of 21 with permission from Emper- the Caribbean, and Europe. The Carib- John Robinson set the standard or Haile Selassie.