I mentioned why I started blogging in this introductory post here. This blog exists because of the Air Ethiopia plane crash that happened last month. This tragedy isn’t just a new story, but an event that impacted me because I knew one the victims who passed away, a Carleton University professor. This post is also personal to me because I did research in Addis Ababa, so I do have a soft spot for Ethiopia. I want to mourn a tragedy but also celebrate life with this blog post, and show you how I see politics through my eyes. I’ll begin with pictures from my trip, a brief summary, and then concluding thoughts. I promise to aim for excellence just like Dr. Pius Adesanmi who left behind a legacy in the field of African studies. Let’s get started, and let me show you what Africa means to me.
Summary
This article from the Globe and Mail, which you can read here, summarizes the disaster. 157 people were killed, including 18 Canadians. This plane crash is similar to what happened with the Lion Air crash in Indonesia a few months ago, also with the Boeing 747 Max 8 model. Although more information is needed, both crashes are attributed to the anti-stall system accidentally being activated during take-off, which you can analyze in the graph below (G&M). As a result, many countries have grounded the Max 8 planes for the time being, including Canada, the United States, Ethiopia, China, and Indonesia. On the ground in Addis, the Air Ethiopia airline CEO had a press conference for grieving families who were left with no bodies, just remains of their loved ones. In Washington state, factory workers at Boeing feel gloom about the plane crash deaths, and anxiety about the fate of company while the executives are facing legal issues while the company stock has “plummeted eleven percent.”
“Ethiopian Airlines says its pilots completed all training for flying the 737 Max 8”, Globe and Mail
“Ethiopian airlines crash: What we know so far about the disaster and the 157 victims,” the Globe & Mail
“Relatives mourn the victims of Ethiopian Airlines crash”, New York Post
Ethiopian Airlines crash: What we know so far about the disaster and the 157 victims , the Globe & Mail
PROF. PIUS ADESANMI
A professor at Ottawa’s Carleton University professor was among the first Canadian victims to be identified, with the university announcing that Global Affairs Canada confirmed he was among the dead. Prof. Adesanmi was a professor in Carleton’s English department and was the director of the university’s Institute of African Studies. “Pius was a towering figure in African and post-colonial scholarship and his sudden loss is a tragedy,” said Benoit-Antoine Bacon, Carleton University president and vice-chancellor.
“He was an extraordinary scholar, husband, devoted father and a fine gentleman. He was an uncommon breed. He wrote about human rights, gender equality and human dignity. He practiced what he preached. I am a living witness to the kindness of his soul and love for others.”
Pius Adesanmi: Late Professor’s widow breaks silence on husband’s death, The Daily Post
Concluding Thoughts
Dr. Adesanmi was going to Nairobi, Kenya along with other Canadians, including Danielle Moore, Micah Messent and Angela Rehhorn (pictured below). After doing research there, I learned that Addis Ababa is not a typical tourist destination, but a hub for international aid workers, which means that the majority of the passengers on that flight were involved in humanitarian aid work with the UN and other NGOs. In my case, I was there doing research on African military security, so I was in a similar position as Danielle, Micah, and Angela four years ago. Dr. Adesanmi was already a leader in his field, but Danielle, Micah, and Angela were just starting out and had so much potential, which makes me wonder what they could have become if they were given more time.
“Ethiopian Airlines crash: What we know so far about the disaster and the 157 victims” , the Globe & Mail
I want to honour their lives by living my life as full as possible. Learning about this accident made me feel a bit broken, and question myself: where am I going with my life? As I mentioned in my blog post about the three types of happiness, I felt like I needed to work towards a more purposeful life with direction and dedicate my life to excellence like Pius did because I don’t know how long or short my life would be. I thought about what I could offer, so I started this blog to promote politics in an approachable manner and to analyze events through my eyes- flexible, compassionate, and yes, at times too youthful and naive. We can mourn a tragedy but also celebrate life by learning about how leaders like Dr. Adesanmi lived a full and accomplished life. He left behind a legacy in the academic world, so tell me: what is your gift you can share and give to the world?
“Pius Adesanmi: Late Professor’s widow breaks silence on husband’s death”, The Daily Post
