By Philipos
Translation : Zinah Mineyahl
Social media platforms are products of modern civilization. Societies that have used them properly have benefited from prosperity, progress, knowledge, and unity.
We, on the other hand, have been using these platforms to divide our people, spread poverty and backwardness, and even endanger the very existence of our country.
This modern tool, which has connected the world and become a source of information, is being used by some tribalists and individuals driven by personal interests as a weapon of hatred, a source of verbal ammunition, and a bomb that tears communities apart.
Problems of a Country and the Responsibilities of Its Citizens
Because of the evil governance and backwardness of our rulers, as well as our own negligence and lack of sufficient awareness of the dangers awaiting us, the Ethiopian people have fallen into a terrible crisis.
Our people are like someone placed on a red-hot iron griddle, unable to find a way out, struggling between life and death amid wars erupting in every direction.
As a Somali intellectual reportedly stated from Nairobi:
“Ethiopia has a people, but it has no government.”
This statement invites us to reflect deeply on the condition of our country.
At this difficult time, when our country is surrounded by war, we should be bringing together all the resources and abilities we possess as citizens to rescue our people and our nation.
Instead, many are preoccupied with social media, pouring fuel onto the fires of war, ethnic hatred, and destruction.
They spew the poison of hatred and narrow-minded localism. They tirelessly preach that one religion should rise against another and that their followers should kill one another.
They spread hatred through destructive messages such as “Hack them, cut them down, kill them.”
What is the result?
People who do not properly understand the power and consequences of social media turn against their own fellow citizens and become instruments of those in power.
Particularly in recent years, we have witnessed, heard about, and experienced, directly or indirectly, so much killing, displacement, and exile that these tragedies have almost become familiar to us.
The Danger of Hate Speech and False Information
Today, a significant portion of the messages circulating on TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Telegram, and other platforms intensify the spirit of war and hatred, inciting one group of people against another.
Even worse, extremely vulgar and morally offensive messages are widely circulated.
Some individuals create divisions even among followers of the same religion, turning the house of God into a platform for hatred.
Religion should inspire people toward love, peace, and mutual respect. It is tragic that it is instead being used to incite hatred.
What is even more disturbing is that individuals who have mastered the art of insults and hatred not only attract thousands of followers but also receive praise and admiration from those followers and dominate public discussion platforms.
We, too, contribute to this situation, directly or indirectly, by choosing silence, failing to fulfill our responsibilities, and not making sufficient efforts to uphold the law.
Meanwhile, issues essential to national unity and the survival of our people are neglected, while unverified rumors claiming that various individuals have been defeated, arrested, or killed capture the public’s attention.
As false and distorted news spreads rapidly, distinguishing truth from misinformation becomes increasingly difficult.
Many of those spreading messages of hatred and division live in Western countries, enjoying opportunities in societies where human dignity is protected and law and order prevail.
Yet they circulate messages encouraging the people of their homeland to become divided by hatred, fight among themselves, and push their country into an even deeper crisis.
Some individuals appear to benefit personally from hatred or political conflict.
They attract followers by spreading rumors that divide the population, while ordinary people share what they hear without verifying its accuracy.
Those who praise one ethnic group or religion while belittling another are often celebrated as heroes by their followers.
Such behavior serves hatred and conflict rather than unity.
In particular, messages that inflame hatred and undermine the historical and social relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea benefit neither people.
Although such actions may serve the personal interests of certain individuals or the political objectives of particular groups, it is ordinary people who pay the price.
They lose their lives, their homes, their peace, and their hopes for the future. Let Us Return to Our Conscience
All of us who participate in social media, particularly those blinded by hatred and personal interests, must return to our conscience.
It is not too late.
At a time when our country faces enormous challenges and our people suffer from war and hardship, we need constructive discussions more than ever discussions characterized by civility, grounded in truth, and conducted without endangering our country or its people.
Humiliating and insulting those who disagree with us is not a path toward solutions. Instead, we must think carefully, listen, verify information, and engage in peaceful dialogue.
Sometimes, refraining from spreading harmful messages, remaining silent rather than escalating hostility, and refusing to intensify conflict are themselves significant contributions.
The bloodshed and suffering caused in Ethiopia by hatred and the politics of “divide and rule” are deeply tragic.
If we fail to examine the path we are following, act responsibly, and work together for unity, we will all be the losers.
Therefore, I appeal to everyone: Let us use social media platforms:
• For unity rather than division;
• For love rather than hatred;
• For mutual respect rather than contempt;
• For building rather than destroying;
• For truth rather than falsehood;
• For peace rather than conflict;
• For the good of our country and our fellow citizens rather than personal gain.
Socrates and His “Friend”: Three Important Questions
Because I believe this story offers an important lesson for all of us, I would like to share a story about Socrates that has been told in various forms.
One day, a man who claimed to be his friend approached Socrates and said: “I have heard something unpleasant about one of your friends.”
Socrates listened calmly.
The man continued:
“I never expected such a thing from him. I am truly surprised!”
Socrates responded:
“Before I hear what you want to tell me about my friend, let me ask you three questions. If your answers satisfy me, we can proceed.”
The man agreed.
The First Question: Is It True?
Socrates asked:
“Have you verified with one hundred percent certainty that what you heard about my friend is true?”
The man replied:
“I cannot say that I am one hundred percent certain.”
Socrates responded:
“Then what you are about to tell me is something whose truth has not been established.” The Second Question: Is It Good?
Socrates then asked:
“Is what you want to tell me something good about my friend?”
The man answered:
“No, it is not something good.”
Socrates replied:
“So, you are about to tell me something that has not been verified and is not good.” The Third Question: Is It Useful?
Finally, Socrates asked:
“Would knowing this information be of any benefit to me or to anyone else?” The man answered:
“No, it would not.”
Socrates then reportedly concluded:
“Then why should I listen to something that has not been verified, is not good, and serves no useful purpose?”
This story is told in different ways, but its central message is clear.
Before listening, speaking, or sharing information, we should examine whether it is true, good, and useful.
We should not waste our time on messages that are unverified, harmful, and of no benefit to the peace and unity of our country and our people, much less use such messages to turn one group of people against another.
Although we may escape the judgment of others, we cannot escape the judgment of our own conscience.
For those who believe in God, divine judgment must also never be forgotten.
Our use of social media up to this point has, on many occasions, worsened the suffering of our people rather than alleviating it.
It has weakened the spirit of Ethiopian identity and our collective struggle. We are also damaging our relationship with our Eritrean brothers and sisters through hatred.
At a time when we should be working together to bring about Ethiopia’s revival and unity, our continued pursuit of hatred is taking us farther away from our goals.
Therefore, let us use social media platforms to help save our country and our people, promote peace and love, and advance knowledge and development.
Let us fulfill our responsibilities as citizens.
Let us think before we speak, verify before we share, and treat those with whom we disagree with respect.
Let us safeguard Ethiopia and our Ethiopian identity through unity, love, and responsibility.
Ethiopia Lives Forever!!!
The writer can be reached at : Philiposmw@hotmail.com
Editor’s Note: Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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