The Olympics season as we all know has been amazing! Many events have taken place in the Olympics concerning some athletes. One of the most profound of all is the Ethiopian medalist who led protest as he entered the finishing line. As many are unaware of it in the western world, Ethiopia is now facing one of the most unexplainable human rights violation by the corrupt government. The government favors one specific ethnic group, the Tigray tribe, in which tries to rule over the majority of other ethnical groups in Ethiopia. Through ethnic discrimination, economical and social corruption, many citizens are left to die in the hands of the government that is supposed to protect them. The everyday ethnic cleansing is a coward act of manipulation, a way to spread fear to those that are actively protesting against the government.
The runner, Feyisa Lilesa crosses his arm above his head as a sign of protest against the government's killings of countless numbers of innocent people. Lilesa's aim was to stand up for his people, the Oromo tribe- an ethnic majority that has long complained about being marginalized. This brave sign of protest that could cost this athlete his life is in hopes to let the world know of the savagery of the Ethiopian government. At a news conference following the race, Lilesa expressed his fear for the lives of his family back in Ethiopia as well as his safety saying he might be put in jail or get killed. "If I go back to Ethiopia maybe they will kill me. If not kill me, they will put me in prison." Lilesa immediately suggests that he might have to move somewhere else, he was conscious of the danger of his action. But still chose to risk his life for those that could not protest, for those that can't say a single word of truth about the cruel government. There is no further assistance or investigation done to uncover the truth of the government.
Unfortunately, many Ethiopians are living a life of terror, killings and prison everyday for simply demanding change in the system. Systematically breaking human rights boundaries has been the main focus of the government along with removing people from their houses, systematic sterilization of certain ethnic groups and killings. Unlike many other countries, Ethiopia is now facing inhumane act of violence. But the fear of the consequence of protest for Lilesa, even when he's not in Ethiopia proves the wickedness of the government. There are many unexpressed emotions, anger and frustration deeper than words could express but Ethiopians are not backing out of this even if it costs tears and blood. As Jonathan Swift once said, "For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery."
