"Hands off Ethiopia" - African American mobilization & enlistment in defense of Ethiopia.

Ethiopianism Picture & Quote of the Day - May 19
------------------------------------------------------
--- On this date on May 19, 1936, African Americans took to the streets of Harlem to protest Italy's occupation of Ethiopia. The New York Times reported that after the close of a meeting of Ethiopian sympathizers, civil disorder erupted, involving some 400 Blacks "rioting" over the treatment of Ethiopia by Western Powers; there were no serious property damages or death.
John Hope Franklin, noted historian, states in his book "From Slavery to Freedom" that "the Ethiopian episode was a major motivation for Black Americans to lose their provincialism; from that time into the start of World War II, Blacks in the United States remain au courant of world affairs."

(Undated photo of African Americans enlisting to join Ethiopian army . Although thousands signed up , the US government enacted a law making it a crime for American citizens to participate in either side of the conflict.)
From the album:Timeline Photos
By Wayne Edward Maddock
Blogger's Note: The above timeline notes are from my facebook friend Wayne Edward Maddock. I am one of the loyal followers of his Timeline Notes on Ethiopian history. His today's posting reminded me a book I read on the topic and feel like sharing it with you. 

The book is entitled "This ain't Ethiopia, but It'll do" and it is about Lincoln Brigade soldiers (African Americans who participated in the Spanish Civil war). As the title implies the African Americans who went to Spain had Ethiopia in their mind and "regarded the Spanish civil war as an extension of the Italo-Ethiopian conflict. ...for them Spain had become the battlefield to revenge the rape of Ethiopia... The book provide more information about efforts made by various African American organizations in recruiting African Americans volunteers to help Ethiopians defend against Italian aggression. It states that according to one organizer of such effort his organization Pan-African Reconstruction Association (PARA) alone had mobilized an estimated 1000 volunteers in New York, 1500 in Philadelphia, 8000 in Chicago, 5000 in Detroit and 2000 in Kansas City. The book further states that " Initially, [Haile] Selassie was willing to accept African-American combatants, but pressure from the U.S. government compelled Ethiopia to cease all recruitment efforts. Furthermore, potential volunteers were warned that they would be in violation of a federal statute of 1818 governing the enlistment of U.S. citizen's in a foreign army. If convicted, they would face a maximum three-year prison sentence, a $2,000 fine, and loss of citizenship. Despite the law, the Garveyite Black Legion allegedly established a training camp in upstate New York for some 3,000 volunteers, while another group made plans to purchase a freighter to carry black men to the Horn of Africa. None of these efforts came to fruition, however. "

Not all Black mainstream political figures were supportive of the idea of sending African American troops to fight in Ethiopia. Actually, some opposed it and cautioned young men against breaking the U.S. law.

There are no exact figures as to how many made it to Ethiopia and joined the fight. The most known case is that of airmen John C. Robinson nicknamed "the Black Condor" of Chicago South side and Herbert F. Julian of Harlem. Citing other sources, the book indicated by 1933, the African American community in Ethiopia were estimated to number between 100 to 150.

Source: Collum, Danny Duncan (ed.) - This Ain't Ethiopia, But It'll do: African Americans in the Spanish civil war. G.W. Hall & Co., 1992.

The Victory Day

Blogger's Note:
Today's blog entry is from a guest that I had contacted after seeing a superbly written essay by him in commemoration of Patriots/Victory Day in Ethiopia. I found the essay to be very insightful, educational and timely. I agree with the author of the essay on the two major points he raised. First, due recognition has to be given to the key role Atse Haile Selassie played in liberation of Ethiopia and secondly present generation of Ethiopians have to be reminded the contributions of the black diaspora in the Western world in the fight against Italian aggression and later occupation of Ethiopia. The solidarity shown by our brother & sisters in America & the Caribbean before & during Italian invasion of Ethiopia is fascinating chapter of our common history which needs to be told more & more. When we celebrate Patriots/Victory day, in addition to remembering the resistance fighters' role & sacrifices we should also give due recognition to Atse Haile Selassie's role as well as the contributions of  the black diaspora in the Western world. With kind of permission of the writer, this timely essay is reprinted here with accompanying audio-visuals & slight editorial change. 

                                                                            

And each man shares

The strength derived from head held high

As holds his head, the King of Kings

Our symbol of a dream

That will not die.

           Langston Hughes

May 5, 1966, on the 25^th anniversary of Ethiopian Victory Day

                     The Victory Day

Yesterday, at Victory Square, Ethiopia celebrated the 72^ndanniversary of victory against Fascist Italy. Once again Victory Day’s celebration closed without mentioning the Commander in Chief of the war, Emperor Haile Selasie’s name.

This is the only Victory Day that is celebrated without acknowledging the Commander in chief’s role. The depriving of credit for the last 39 years which is due to the Emperor shows nothing but the incivility of the Ethiopian politics.

         

Once again “God and history will give judgment” when hate fades- away from a vista of politics so that one day the Emperor’s good name will rise up on Victory Day in which He made his famous speech: “Do not reward evil for evil. Do not commit any acts of cruelty like those which the enemy committed against us.”

Even if it seems, the Victory Day is separated from Victorious Emperor, however, the history of the June 30, 1936 will not allow us to do so. The Emperor in a black cape walked graceful through the white people column of assembly to challenge and win the 52 nations with their own diplomacy game. The challenge, one man against the 52 nations was a rematch of David vs. Goliath. A racket of boos, jeers, and mockery that the Italian journalists made in the gallery punch us on the face so that we will not sleep through history.

“I demanded justice...and God and history will remember your judgment” the Emperor’s statement 77 years ago in Geneva is very relevant in today’s Ethiopia. Once more the Emperor is demanding justice. [See video clip of the speech below]

When we think of Victory Day, we should also remember the Black people, in Diaspora, who voiced the Ethiopian cause as their own cause. As the distinguished Black historian, John Hope Franklin, had indicated, “When Ethiopia was invaded by Italy, the Negros protested with all the means at their command. Ethiopia was regarded as a Negro nation, and its distraction would symbolize the final victory of the White man over the Negro. Almost overnight all Negros became international minded.”

As the Ethiopia Patriots marched to the battle field for defending their ancient Kingdom, likewise the Black people in America and the Caribbean Islands did what they could in order to keep the only freedom of flame that has been kindled.

Several Black’s organizations from Harlem to Los Angles had responded to the rhythmic beat of distant war drums of Ethiopia. Chicagoan John Robinson, an aviator who was known as “the Brown Condor” fought the Fascist Italy in Ethiopia, as a true Ethiopian. After independence, he became a trainer of the Ethiopian pilots. When he died in a plain crash, the Emperor gave him the tile of Colonel in posthumous.

To list a few more among the thousands of Black People who toiled for the Ethiopian cause during the war: Dr Leo Hansberry, the director of the Ethiopian Research Council, in Howard University, in which he disseminated information about Ethio-Italy conflict, Professor Ralph Bunche who summarized and analyzed world-wide articles on Ethiopia, both distinguished professors had won the Haile Selassie First Prize Trust Award. Carter G. Woodson, distinguished editor of the Journal of Negro History, who coined The Black History Week, which was later renamed the Black History Month, focusing mainly on Ethiopia history, Reverend Adam Clinton Powel, a pastor of the historical Abyssinian Baptist Church, who preached about Ethiopianism- Ethiopia a land of Biblical reputation and where goddesses loved to be- assured that the country will not be colonized. The long list of volunteers willing to serve in the respective field of specialty is more than this paper can hold.

Dr Malaku Bayen, a young Medical student in Howard University, the only Ethiopian in North America and his dear African-American wife Dorothy Hadley, were responsible to convey the Ethiopian cause to Black people. Dr Malaku is quoted in an interview to have stated: “if Abyssinia is convicted to be invaded is because we are black, the America Black is therefore duty-bound to support Abyssinia.” On the next publication of the Pittsburg Courier which declared: “Anybody who wished to serve as volunteers in the Imperial Ethiopian Army, you can register with Malaku Bayen at his residence 1260 Columbia Road, Northwest Washington.”

Evidently, thousands of men and women from thirty-eight states had come out to fight voluntarily. On the other hand, however, The United States Department opposed the movement, by declaring:

“United States’ Citizens cannot accept or exercise a commission to serve a foreign nation in war against a nation with whom the United States are at peace….if they do they shall be guilty of high misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $ 2,000 and imprisoned not more than 3 years.”

The Blacks defied the government’s decision and continued to protests and appeal to the League of Nations, the British government, and American Officials. They also boycotted Italian products and had campaigned to raise both financial contributions and volunteers for Red Cross.

In 1935, as the Italy army crossed the border of Ethiopia in the Eastern province, Ogaden, the African- Americans, in New York, had predicted the winner of the war through a famous Boxing matched between Joe Louis (African American) and Primo Carnera (Italian American). 

When Joe Louis knocked out 6’6’’, 265-pound former World Heavy Weight Champion Primo Carnera, in the sixth round had seen as a good omen, Haile Selassie knocked out the Fascist’s leader, Benito Mussolini.

The name of Haile Selassie was and is used as the metaphor for a fight and conquering against all odds.  

Dr Malaku who came from the war front was sent to New York as a Deputy in 1937 to coordinate the effort of Black People struggle in North American and the Caribbean Islands was able to establish the first international organization called, the Ethiopia World Federation, which achieved meritorious task.

As the Ethiopian Patriots fought at home, the members of the Ethiopia World Federation were struggling in America, the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Cuba to shift their countries policy and to win the conscious of peace loving people the world over.

Mildred Houston of New York, a young black woman, who contacted more than one thousand people within two weeks to inform a manifesto of the Ethiopia World Federation, should also be remembered. This young woman was the first person to establish the first branch of the Ethiopia World Federation outside the US. There were of course many who provided priceless support for the Ethiopia World Federation; i.e., Miss Aida Bastian, and Miss Eudora Paris who returned from Ethiopia were among the more prominent. They were also among the first female who answered to the call of Marcus Gravey, “Back to Africa Movement” until they were disrupted by the Italian invasion.

When Ethiopia won the war, instantly Blacks gained a self pride in America, despite de jure segregation in schools, on bus, and at drinking fountains. The Ethiopian affair had not stopped at victory; it had gone further to advance the Pan-African sentiment throughout the world. The struggle of the Lion of Judah which temporally fell only to rise up triumphantly was used as a recipe for a fight- back against Colonialism and Racism.

Unlike the European Victory Day, Ethiopia’s Victory is indeed a victory of a small and Black Nation against a Big Colonizer. The Victory of Ethiopia is a victory of Black and Oppressed people all over the world.

During this year’s celebration in Ethiopia and abroad, Ethiopians, friends of Ethiopia, and peace loving people all over the world have voiced against the erection of a statue of the Fascist General, Randolph Grazzani. They said the erection of the statue in Italy is not only an insult, but it also a glorification of a war criminal. 

Gerazzani who is known as the butcher of Addis and responsible criminal for the death of 30 thousand people in Addis Ababa alone, three hundred monks in St Debre- Lebanos monastery, and bombing, and killing over a million more people and destroying animals and wealth, burning thousands of churches and homes, in his five years of reign of terror. 

It is high time for Ethiopia to remember the Emperor’s contribution to its independence, development, and to establish high prestige in the international arena.

We should not forget that the ignominious Derge regime, Low Ranking Military Officers, and Communists- miss- educated students, for years vainly tried to destroy the legacy of the Emperor. The civility of Ethiopia politics is measured by its fairness towards Emperor Haile Selassie, a champion of international morality, who fought Slavery, Feudalism, Fascism, Colonialism, Imperialism, and Racism.

Last but not least, when we celebrate Victory Day, we should not forget the necessity of erecting the Emperor’s statue in Addis Ababa- a Statue worthy of His name. This will help the Nation to repent and to reconcile with itself.

Happy VD
May 6, 2013

Melaku E. Bayen - First Ethiopian Physician trained in the U.S.

Blogger's Note:
The biographical sketch you find below appeared in Ethiopian calendar with Biographies - 2003E.C. edition.
 Melaku E. Bayen 1892-1932E.C. (1900-1940)
First Ethiopian Physician trained in the U.S. & chief designated advocate for Ethiopian cause during Italo-Ethiopian Conflict.
Melaku Bayen was born on April 29, 1900, in Wello Province in
central Ethiopia. He is the son of Grazmach Bayen and Woyzero
(Mrs.) Desta. His parents move to Harar, when he was a baby.
The young Melaku was raised and educated in the compound of
Ras (General) Mekonnen, then the Governor of Harar and the father of Lij Tafari, the future Emperor Haile Selassie. In accordance with the aristocracy's custom of educating and training likely young boys for positions of leadership, young Melaku was placed under the tutelage of Lij Tafari and taught by priests, attached to Ras Mekonnen‘s royal court. Melaku lived close to the future king, serving as both his page and personal attendant in the royal courts of Harar and later of Addis Ababa at least for a decade.
Life in the royal court taught young Melaku strict discipline and gracious protocol. On January 19, 1921 Melaku was sent to India along with two young men and a woman for preparatory studies under private tutors from Great Britain.
The sudden death of the young woman left Melaku and his compatriots devastated, hence making their stay in India unbearable. So they appealed to Ras Tafari to permit them to pursue their studies in the United States, where imperialistic designs on Africa seemed absent. The students' request was granted.
In 1928 Bayen enrolled at Ohio State University in Columbus as a graduate student of chemistry. A year later, he was admitted to the Medical School at Howard University, one of the nation's most prestigious black educational institutions.
Melaku attended the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie on November 2, 1930 in Addis Ababa and traveled back and forth many times accompanying African American recruits for various jobs and briefing the new Emperor on the situation in the United States. At Howard, he co-founded the Ethiopian Research
Council in 1930 with Professor Leo Hansberry, one of the pioneers of African studies in the United States. The Council was regarded as the principal link between Ethiopians and African Americans particularly in the early years of the Italo-Ethiopian conflict. After the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, Melaku focused less upon recruiting skilled Afro-Americans for service in Ethiopia and more on mobilizing black American support for his country.
After graduating from Howard medical school in June 1935, Dr. Melaku had originally intended to remain in the U.S. to complete his internship, but the serious situation in Ethiopia caused the Emperor to recall him. Thus, on July 10, 1935, the physician departed for Ethiopia with his wife, Dorothy, and young son, Melaku Jr.. There, Dr. Melaku's duties at the American Mission Hospital in the capital and later with the Ethiopian Red Cross in the Ogaden, brought him into intimate contact with the war.
Meanwhile, the war went badly for the Ethiopians. When it became clear in late April 1936 that it was senseless to attempt to defend the capital, members of the Imperial Council persuaded the Emperor to leave the country for Geneva to make a final appeal to the League of Nations for support. When the Italian Army captured Addis Ababa, Melaku‘s family went to England and later to the United States to fully campaign for Ethiopia. Melaku and his wife Dorothy Hadley, created a newspaper called Voice of Ethiopia to simultaneously denounce Jim Crow in America and fascist invasion in Ethiopia.

News of Ethiopia‘s plight fueled indignation and furious debates among African Americans. In Harlem, Chicago, and various other cities African American churches urged their members to speak out against the invasion. Melaku established
at least 28 branches of Ethiopian World Federation, an organ of resistance calling on Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. Touched by the Emperor‘s speech at the League of Nations, and Melaku‘s impassioned message, blacks vowed to support Ethiopia. Melaku Bayen and his African American counterparts remained undeterred for the remainder of Ethiopia‘s struggle against colonization. In 1940, a year before Ethiopia‘s victory against Italy, Melaku Bayen succumbed to pneumonia, which he had caught while walking door-to-door in the peak of winter, speaking boldly about the war for freedom
in Ethiopia. 
Source: This biographical sketch is the authorized abridged & slightly edited version of
the following articles:
Girma Abebe(Dr.) - Melaku E. Bayen: The first Ethiopian to earn an American degree. Ethiopian Register. 
Dec. 1999/Jan. 2000.
Ayele Bekerie (Dr.) - The Case of Melaku E. Bayen & John Robinson. Tadias Online Magazine. April 18, 2007.
Tsedey Alehegn - African American and Ethiopian Relations. Tadias Online Magazine. August 11, 2008