I'm writing you this long letter to request the formation of diversity
executive board directors before the end of February 2004. For the last 20
years, the organization's culture have been known to Ethiopian Communities as
affirmative action, disparate impact, glass ceilings and glass walls policy. The
solution to end all the conflicts in our community is in the hand of the newly
appointed executive board directors. The advantage of diversity is equal
opportunity. Since the 1964 Civil Rights Act, various federal, state, and local
laws have been passed to promote equal opportunities for a variety of protected
groups, mostly notably women and minorities such as the Ethiopian men and women.
An organization can't function with half of its brain work force (men).
Diversity is the answer to solve the 20 years community's conflicts, because it
is more than a male and female issue. It is a process that makes us more
productive and a stronger community as united team (Ethiopians)
Since 1988, I have never attended the tournament, because of the
federation's affirmative action, glass ceilings and glass walls policy. For your
information, Executive Order Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on gender
or national origin. I chose to stay away from attending the tournaments since it
has no benefits and the purpose of the majority of Ethiopians
.
You may not know, but my life is devoted to Ethiopia, its people unity and
rights. I'm not about distorting the ESFNA, but rebuilding, repainting and
reorganizing it. To demolish an organization or a building, a work of many, it
will not take initiating ideas, strategies writing, communicating, but
demolishing. In order to do that, I don't need to correspond or to do many
people's homework as a problem solver and peacemaker. The fact is that by
writing the "Short History of ESFNA", I have saved most of you from being
generalized for the individuals' mistakes. Those individuals knowing their
wrongdoing, they were using all of you as a tree in order to hide from taking
responsibilities and apologize for politicking and frauds organizing. Facts are
the solutions of problem solving. I believe I saved the federation partially.
For the rest part, it is in the hands of the new leadership. Let me give you one
example, it took one pilot, and 30 seconds, to destroy the World Trade Center,
which was the work of many talented individuals. To pick up the bodies, the
debris, and to clear the area, it took weeks, months and years as well as the
nation's work force both men and women. I'm not one of those terrorists. Those
who are terrorized among the federation officers are tererized not by me but by
their action and greed and power drankness. I know what it takes to build an
organization of communities. I was born and raised in the middle of Ethiopian
men in uniform. Those heroes of mine didn't teach me mafres ageren ena wegenen
metegenen inji. (They thought me how to repair not to demolish my country and my
people). Therefore, no one should not expect from me to polish, cover up, the
wrong doing of individuals in order for them to live above their means while
they abuse our unity.
I believe strictly that every single revenue from ESFNA, tournament, should
benefit the players, the youth and Ethiopian community ingernal. My concerns
more than any thing else are the Ethiopian children who are born out side of
Africa. We all should make the children and the young people a priority so we
can teach them on how to take over responsibilities. Enough is enough. The time
is now for our communities to get start to be part of the benefit from the
revenue. (Example, seven hundred thousand US dollar was collected from the 2002,
Tournaments. This money came purely from the pockets of Ethiopian individuals)
The money from the revenue will help to buy Ethiopian Community Centers, in each
city, so our children can have a place to meet, to learn about both
(US/Ethiopia) cultures, languages, leadership, how to survive and live in the
uncertain world system, by involving them in the communities activities which
include the ESFNA annual event and year around activities by educating and
sharing with them our professional and life experiences. The ESFNA, must have a
youth program both, boys and girls as part of its organization program. The
activities and the Girls' soccer players should be motivated in the Ethiopian
communities where ever we are living. Girls Succor players are booming this
days.
In order to convert the affirmative oriented leadership in to diversity,
two people should be elected from each city by the community. For example, from
Mutual Assistance Association For Ethiopian Community in Dallas. Among the two,
one person will serve on the executive board. On the other hand, one of the
elected people will work with the local team (s) representing the community and
its need such as programming and organizing activities to benefit the community.
This strategy is democratic not affirmative action. Nomination local and
national must take place. The election should include both male and female with
the capability of leadership, organization skill, education, experience, and
community oriented personality. The next action is a Task Committee in order to
execute the nominating, voting and electing prosigers. The last action is to
have a meeting. I suggest the meeting to take place in Washington D.C., where
the majority of Ethiopians are living or in Seattle Washington. The meeting and
the discussions should be consisted of community leaders, team leaders, ESFNA
executive board, educators and the Seattle host committee as well as community
advocates.
Wendm Dwit, for your information, in the past the ESFNA Officials told me
that the reason why women are not allowed equally to serve as Executive Board
members, is that women are not playing soccer and they have no team. The same
answer was given to three radio hosts (weekly radio program hosts) in Washington
D.C., too.
In order to help and understand that why women don't have to play soccer in
order to organize and decided on how an event should be organize or how it
should benefit the community. Manegeing is different from playing. I will like
to share with you the following short story of mine. In 1994, I was elected by
international and American sport organizations to serve on the "World Cup 94"
Host Committee in the United States. There were 7 people. Responsibilities? In
short, from organizing the World Cup 94's opening ceremony to international,
local dignitaries security and before and after World Cup games
hospitalities.
In addition to the World Cup 94 Host Committee, I served as Spoke Person
and Official Host of Nigerian National Team "Super Eagle" during World Cup 94.
My responsibilities include from the American and international press relations
to organizing training schadual (Sport fields) and restaurants selection.
Therefore, I strongly believe that an individual (s) should be a member of the
ESFNA executive board, not based on soccer playing talent, but the ability,
capability of leadership, organization skill, education, and experience.
Please note and understand, that I'm not interested or advocating for
myself to be on the executive board, to get publicity or to get financial
support. In fact, I have been the first image booster of the ESFNA since 1988.
As a new President, you are in title of all the history of the federation. I
suggest you, to get documents from Ato Haile Tefera (News articles, pictures
that were taken by wendim, Ahmed Nur of Arlington Virginia during the 1988,
Tournament). It is important to know the contribution of the individuals
(without the interest of personal gain). For more information, please visit
