Tag Archives: socialcommentary

remains of the day…

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

There are times when the generosity and kindness of Liberians makes it easy to forget that the country was ravaged by war – or the crisis, as it is often referred. But little things prick the memory and I am … Continue reading →

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goat soup and Orion

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

I thought he’d forgotten. I languished beneath my mosquito net half reading a poorly written novel but mostly succumbing to the brutal heat still lingering in the late afternoon. My morning had been fruitful. My lift into town dropped me … Continue reading →

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foreign in language

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

“how old is he?” The he in question was toddling about, intermittently crying for no particular reason and grinning at me from behind his cohort Samuel. “he is two.” “and…?” I pointed at Samuel. “he is 18 months. Breastfed,” my … Continue reading →

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Privatization

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

Privacy, or the expectation of it anyway, is a conceit of my privilege, a byproduct of my sense of entitlement. The notion that what is mine, tangible and otherwise, is mine…my garbage, the act of washing my clothes, or reading … Continue reading →

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Hit and run

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

I heard the siren. We all did. And so necks craned and eyes strained through doors and windows to see the ambulance racing up the road to the hospital. Some speculated on what or who…but mostly we took note before … Continue reading →

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war weapons

Posted on January 21, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

“they held me and gang raped me for three weeks.” It hung there, with no more weight from her voice than when she’d talked about the differences between Nigerian and Liberian palm nuts. She pointed to the jagged gash on … Continue reading →

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united colors of benetton

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

We were the United Colors of Benetton. Indian, Korea, Malaysian, Black…Christian, Sikh, Heathen…the comfort was in the differences that somehow made us the same. And that was my reality through high school – until I made a conscious decision to … Continue reading →

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white woman

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

“whi wom…whi wom…” they followed me for a ways down the path., as much a greeting as a declaration. To the throng of excited children assembled, I am a “whi wom” – white woman. Some Liberians have explained it as … Continue reading →

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Firestone: a Brightspot perspective

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

“some people hear me and think that I’m in constant support of everything that Firestone does, Firestone thinks I’m one of their biggest critics. The truth is I’m practical and I don’t blame any outside person for the condition of … Continue reading →

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liberian from liberia

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Linnea Ashley

I crossed the Montserrado river for the first time. Halfway across, we could see the destroyed bridge to the left – so iconic during the war. It remains in disrepair, like so many gutted buildings and abandoned building projects. Heading … Continue reading →

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