By Eyassu Epheraim G Hanna
London UK:
In an age where global media exports shape perception and value systems, it is worth asking: What kind of modernity are we importing—and at what cost?
Gil Scott-Heron once proclaimed, “The revolution will not be televised.” This iconic phrase was not simply a critique of media, but a deeper insight into how true social transformation cannot be commodified, staged, or broadcast. That insight resonates today in the Ethiopian context, as we witness the rise of reality television shows like Latey ላጤ: Looking for Love, promoted as a sign of cultural progress.
Let’s be clear: modernity does not arrive in the form of dating shows. It comes through economic empowerment, political inclusion, and cultural self-respect. No society has ever developed by mimicking the entertainment industry of another—especially when that entertainment is disconnected from the social realities of its people.
The creators of Latey have taken inspiration from shows like The Bachelor, adapting a format that places one man at the centre of attention while a group of women competes for his affection. In the case of Latey, the bachelor is an Ethiopian American who doesn’t speak the national language, Amharic, and whose personal background has sparked controversy. This man becomes a symbol—not of diaspora excellence or transnational unity—but of confusion, cultural dislocation, and borrowed fantasy.
We must confront a difficult truth: much of the Ethiopian diaspora in the United States faces a profound identity crisis. They are often neither fully American nor wholly Ethiopian. Instead of serving as bridges of opportunity, some become importers of superficial trends—offering distraction rather than development. From a million meaningful things they could bring home from America—technology, education models, civic institutions, business acumen—they choose to replicate the most disposable aspects of pop culture.
For contrast, look at the Chinese or Indian diasporas in the U.S. These communities have cultivated strong economic ties, professional networks, and cultural confidence. The Indian diaspora is deeply involved in Silicon Valley, education, and politics. The Chinese diaspora builds global business empires and invests strategically in their homeland. They export software, hardware, and hard-earned influence—not reality shows.
And yet, Ethiopia—one of the world’s oldest civilizations—is being offered content that not only clashes with its deeply religious and community-cantered culture but also trivializes the lived experiences of its people. Over 65% of the population lives in poverty. The majority are under the age of 25. These young people need education, opportunity, and leadership—not a fantasy of love sold in pixels.
It is also disingenuous to frame this debate as merely a rural vs. urban or old vs. young divide. That analysis ignores the structural inequalities that define Ethiopian life today. The question is not whether young people should explore new cultural expressions—but whether those expressions serve their growth or merely entertain them into passivity.
The revolution Ethiopia needs will not come through televised spectacles. It will come through rethinking education, elevating women through agency and leadership—not objectification—and by building a modernity rooted in local values, history, and potential.
Culture is not static. Change is inevitable. But how we change—and what models we adopt—matters. If we are going to be inspired by the global stage, let it be through innovation, not imitation. Let us learn from others who have used diaspora connections to build strong institutions and knowledge economies—not dating shows with imported dreams.
Ethiopia does not need to prove its modernity by copying the West’s cultural leftovers. The real revolution will be lived, not televised.
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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If that’s the case Eyassu (Joshua) then why did you write this article in English?
You are reporting from London, is that also your intended audience? You see, deterioration such as this immoral Latey could never happen in Egypt so why do we allow it in Ethiopia? I’ll tell you why, it is because most Ethiopians do not know who they really are. The diaspora think they are African!