Resuming the Journey: Reflecting on Liberia’s Grassroots Revolution

the formation of the CDC – the motivation, the missteps, the errors and the sycophancies…

Hello everyone, JFK here.

In April 2017, I decided to take what I thought would be a brief hiatus from narrating the formidable rise of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), a grassroots political movement that became one of the most significant in Liberia’s history. Many of you might recall the pause I announced after taking you through the events up to October 2004. For those who’ve been following, here’s where I left off: Continuing the Narrative.

Back in 2016, I began detailing the formation and rise of the CDC, sharing insights as a retired (though some would say not quite retired) political operative deeply embedded in the fabric of this movement. Despite my strategic pause, the narrative beckoned to be continued, not just to recount events, but to introspect about our motivations, missteps, and the pivotal moments that defined us.

Today, as Liberia looks back that the leadership that the CDC has provided in six years, the reflection is not just historical; it’s crucial. It’s about understanding the paths we tread and the roads we paved, the decisions we championed, the errors in judgement, and the ones we regret. This narrative isn’t just about recounting events; it’s about owning them and understanding the immense impact of our journey on the fabric of our nation.

From November 2004 to February 2006, the period I am set to cover next, was a time brimming with pivotal actions, critical decisions, and foundational shifts that would not only shape the CDC but also the future political landscape of Liberia. The movement wasn’t just about the people at the forefront; it was deeply anchored in the hopes and struggles of thousands who believed in the possibility of change—a change rooted in the very core of grassroots mobilization. Did we let them down and why?

As I resume this narrative, I promise to be as plain-spoken and honest as possible. The journey was neither simple nor straightforward. It was complex and challenging, filled with both triumphs and trials. We made errors, quite a few, and in these writings, I intend to lay them bare. Not just to critique but to understand and hopefully, to learn.

For those who’ve been part of this journey, your insights and corrections are invaluable. For newcomers, I welcome you to a narrative that’s more than just political; it’s a deeply human story of ambition, struggle, and the relentless pursuit of what we believed was right for our country. It is easy for some to pontificate, today, that we were wrong, but they forget that we lived in a particular moment and that only the information we had then, we could use to make critical decisions. I will delve into those in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned, as we delve back into the history and heart of the Congress for Democratic Change, through the lens of someone who lived it, breathed it, and is still trying to understand it. There’s much to tell, and I am ready to continue this journey with you. I will spare no sacred cow and leave nothing unsaid, to the best of my recollection.

Until next time, JFK