I posted earlier in the year about the new Liberian president. I wrote that I was appalled by the lack of media in the United States about such a seemingly big step for women in Africa. I would like to mend previous ignorance on my part and provide a more critical analysis of the situation. Although I still see it as a step, in the most vague ideological way, in the right direction for women in Africa, we should not blindly accept her win as progress. Ellen is a Harvard economist who worked for the World Bank and was a strong supporter of Taylor. We must keep in mind the detriment that the World Bank and structural adjustment programs have caused and continue to cause on Africa. A push to a global economy and neoliberalism have forced Africa into further poverty. Unfortunately, I see that Ellen's lead will push this agenda further and push Liberia further down. What were the choices? Her competitor was a footballer. Granted a very good footballer (George Weah), but a footballer none-the-less. It's is already pathetic that a movie star, Arnold, can become a governor, but to be the leader of a country is quite a different story. So, it seems that there wasn't much choice (sounds like home). Africa is very rarely given any sort of choice.

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