Last Updated on June 11, 2025 by The Liberian Investigator
When discussing concepts like national identity and civic responsibility, analogies often penetrate deeper than mere words.
The late Rev. Myles Munroe’s statement in one of his recorded sermons on YouTube that “when a lion sees an elephant, all the lion thinks about is to eat it as lunch” encapsulates a profound truth regarding perceptions of power and worth.
This analogy extends beyond wildlife behavior and provides a necessary reflection on how Liberians perceive their nation and themselves.
This perspective is crucial in Liberia, for it emphasizes a shift from seeing Liberia as a vast playground of resources to understanding it as a home.
Until Liberians embrace their nation as a singular entity worthy of their loyalty and love, they risk diminishing their potential for progress.
Understanding Liberian identity reveals that one’s philosophy of life significantly influences societal dynamics.
Liberians often view their nation through a pessimistic lens shaped by years of civil conflict, economic hardship, and political instability.
However, it is time to reconsider such perspectives critically.
A new way of thinking and direction is indispensable for producing a more engaged and assertive citizenry committed to the greater good.
The transformation begins with recognizing collective identity, which raises the question.
How does one foster a sense of belonging and responsibility in a society marred by challenges?
In this discourse, platforms such as Boxing Ring 4.0 significantly reshape perceptions and encourage meaningful conversations aimed at reform.
This social media outlet has emerged as a space for intelligent discussion and policy formulation, addressing various challenges facing Liberia today.
It is vital to highlight the importance of platforms prioritizing intellectual engagement over sensationalism.
They create avenues for Liberians to discuss their country’s hardships and explore feasible solutions and new policies to effect change.
The Role of National Identity in Policy Formulation:
Liberia’s national identity is unique, steeped in a complex history of returnees’ influence, civil wars, and the striving for political and socio-economic stability.
This identity impacts how citizens interact with their government and each other, influencing the collective mindset to adopt a resilient and hopeful outlook to foster an environment where national policies can be shaped for the common good.
Recognizing that Liberia is the foundation of their shared experiences can inspire a sense of ownership and stewardship.
Often, policies crafted without genuine national(citizens) input or understanding reflect a few’s interests rather than the populace’s collective needs.
At the heart of revitalizing national identity is the necessity of involving the young people, as it is done in Boxing Ring 4.0, in dialogues and decision-making processes without telling them that their views hold no waters of intellectualism.
Young people represent the future and a critical mass capable of enacting change today.
Their energies, innovations, and passions can drive the national discourse that older generations may not envisage.
By acknowledging their contributions and harnessing their ideas, leaders can ensure that policies are modern, inclusive, and reflect citizens’ actual needs.
Boxing Ring 4.0 and similar platforms provide safe spaces for young people to challenge conventional narratives and propose innovative solutions to age-old problems.
Moreover, it cannot be overlooked that the past champions of national identity often bore the marks of trauma and division.
Liberians often see themselves as products of a fractured society, where tribal affiliations and past grievances lead to subjective interpretations of national unity.
As such, citizens must engage in collective healing processes that promote reconciliation rather than division.
Enabling dialogues focused on understanding and addressing the past can foster a communal spirit driving public policies that genuinely reflect national aspirations.
Shifting the Narrative: Education as a Tool for Change:
Education is a cornerstone of any society aspiring for progress.
The journey towards significant reform in Liberia begins with educational initiatives designed to nurture an informed and aware populace.
Liberia’s original foundations of education often mirrored returnees’ roots, highlighting foreign languages and neglecting Indigenous knowledge.
Today, however, there is a tremendous opportunity to shape all policies, particularly educational policies that embrace a broad spectrum of history, culture, and civic engagement.
Through platforms like Boxing Ring 4.0, educators, politicians, students, and thought leaders can collaborate to identify gaps within every policy restricting national identity understanding.
Advocating for comprehensive history programs celebrating the nation’s leaders and achievements can invigorate a sense of pride and motivation among young people, particularly those pursuing knowledge.
As young people learn about the resilience of those who came before them, they might become more persuaded to contribute to their country’s future through active participation and leadership.
Furthermore, expanding access to education, particularly in rural areas, could significantly dismantle existing barriers.
When all citizens have the opportunity to learn, the wealth of ideas and solutions they can contribute to any discourse of national importance.
Investing in education also means fostering critical thinking and empowering Liberians to question policies, strategies, and leadership rather than unquestioningly accepting them.
Democracy thrives on such discourse, which allows national voices to resonate and influence the trajectories of national governance.
The Call for Civic Responsibility:
The essence of a thriving democracy like Liberia lies in the engagement of its citizens.
Fostering a culture of civic responsibility in Liberia could spark vital changes in the political landscape.
When Liberians recognize their role in sustaining the nation’s development, they can hold inconvenient truths about governance and national societal norms to the forefront.
“Good governance” encapsulates the need for transparency, accountability, and participation within political frameworks.
Civic education must be a focal point in nurturing this responsibility.
As members of Boxing Ring 4.0 tirelessly engage in policy discussions and national initiatives, the emphasis on informing and mobilizing citizens becomes even more imperative.
This approach allows all segments of Liberia, including marginalized groups(Zogos, etc.), to articulate their interests and priorities, assuring that solutions are inclusive rather than exclusive.
Engagement can manifest through various avenues, such as economic empowerment( as many on Boxing Ring 4.0 have suggested), policy change advocacy, national service participation, and collaboration on initiatives to address national concerns.
The perceived apathy among young people and the nation often stems from a belief that their contributions do not translate into impact.
Creating campaigns illustrating prosperous nation-led initiatives can motivate others to actively participate.
Liberia’s successes as a nation-driven development project can be highlighted as testimonials of the power of collective effort rather than as proof that my administration is doing it or did it.
Liberians find themselves on the brink of an essential transformation that their national identity is not merely a reflection of their struggles but a canvas for hope and possibility.
Taking the late (may his soul rest in peace) Rev. Myles Munroe’s analogy to heart, those who perceive their nation as a mere lunch will remain static, consumed by division and despair.
Instead, embracing Liberia as a cherished homeland, embodying responsibility and opportunity, can lead to profound societal shifts.
The discussions spearheaded on platforms like Boxing Ring 4.0 represent a critical step toward understanding this idea.
Liberians can refashion their narrative from despair to one full of potential and agency through intellectual engagement, advocacy for inclusive education, and emphasizing civic responsibility.
This new thinking and direction could be the source of a vibrant Liberia redefining its national identity and legacy for future generations.
In doing so, they invest not only in their country but in themselves as proud citizens who are resolutely committed to the common good.
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