Ethiopian Hippy

21 Nov 05

I recently came across the song Safe In My Garden by The Mamas and the Papas.  Aside from being a beautiful song crying out for social change against the oppressive force of 'the man', it also made me think about recent events in Ethiopia in terms of a desire for revolution.  The key demographic group in the recent demonstrations is college age young adults.  So much so, in fact, that the first response of the government to a threat of demonstration was to cancel the beginning of the fall university term.  Most of the universities across the country still haven't returned to a regular schedule.  Why?  Because the collection and discussion of so many young (and educated) people in Ethiopia is almost sure to cause demonstration, violent or otherwise (at least, so assumes the government).

I'm not sure exactly what this says about an administration but any conclusion I may be drawing I will keep to myself.  Lets just hope none of the local dissidents get ahold of the recent documentary about the Weather Underground.  Or maybe hope for the opposite, depending on your point of view.

By the way, do any of you know of any 60's/70's era songs written specifically about the WU?

Peace,

Michael