Liberia

June 13, 2003 1:40 AM

Maps of Liberia, 1830-1879. The American Colonization Society was founded in 1817 to resettle free black Americans in West Africa. Here's a brief history of the American Colonization Society, with images of places, currency, letters etc.
The Yekepa Memory Project includes materials about Yekepa, Liberia, such as postcards and stamps.
Related :- Liberia, June 1999 photoessay.
Also of interest :- a collection of photos of neighbouring Guinea, 1905.
posted by plep (4 comments total)

'Many Liberians have begun to flee fighting areas in the country in droves, as the sound of gunfire reverberated through Liberia's capital Monrovia yesterday, ahead of a last-ditch mission by West African mediators to try to avert a bloody showdown for the city.'
posted by plep at 5:27 AM on June 13, 2003

Ever get the feeling, 24 hours later, that Liberia doesn't stir a lot of interest? Call me a racist, but I'm not a damn bit surprised it doesn't. It's a shithole that's already gone to hell and is sinking fast through successively deeper circles therein, and short of intervention Iraq-style, there's zero chance of improvement.

I hit my knees every night asking God to cause massive oil reserves to be discovered under Liberian soil.
posted by alumshubby at 7:04 AM on June 14, 2003

thanks plep - very interesting historical backdrop to modern day problems. I recalled hearing about the colonization from history, but honestly didn't know much about it.

The situation has grown even more dire since your posting, although there is some hope of peace talks and pressure grows on the U.S. to intervene.

Your last link in the main post led to a treasure trove of African photos!
posted by madamjujujive at 10:49 PM on June 14, 2003

Ever get the feeling, 24 hours later, that Liberia doesn't stir a lot of interest?

Yep. Which is exactly one of the reasons why I posted it. Even if people aren't interested, they should be aware of it. (It certainly -is- of interest to the people who have to live there!)
posted by plep at 8:39 AM on June 15, 2003