I read your book in Italian, it has been translated last year. I was very curious about your history and I find it very nice. Thank you for describing us your life history.
Hi Helene, I just finished reading your book that I bought at Starbucks in Logan, Utah - USA back then on vacation in November 2008. I LOVED IT!!! Thank you for sharing your memoir; I didn't even know anything about Liberia and all related details. So happy I brought this with to read on vacation here in Phuket, Thailand. Wishing you all the best. - Jason Peterson, from Germany
Hi Helene, I just finished reading your book that I bought at Starbucks in Logan, Utah - USA back then on vacation in November 2008. I LOVED IT!!! Thank you for sharing your memoir; I didn't even know anything about Liberia and all related details. So happy I brought this with to read on vacation here in Phuket, Thailand. Wishing you all the best. - Jason Peterson, from Germany
Free energy is finaly here!But the Oil coporations life depends on covering this up,if you want a real Free energy Magnet Motor, get the blueprints at LT-MAGNET-MOTORdotCOM ,Join the revolution!
i am reading the book at this moment..i like this book..but i can understand why there was a coup.but i also wish Liberia could return to its former self.but I am 60%sure it wont .kinda seems like the Americans arrived and became the oppressors OF THE ORIGINALS OF THAT LAND..NEXT STOP GHANA ITS THE ONLY COUNTRY THATS EXTENDED AN OLIVE BRANCH TO AMERICAN BLKS.HOTEP!
@universalconnections Yes, the freed blacks did exactly set-up the same unjust system they left. I never understood why Americo-Liberians kept the names of the people who had enslaved them? One can somewhat understand why African-Americans have done so, but why do so in Africa?
@shifragri Again you need to read deeper. Many of these settlers were from old free families of color. They didn't consider themselves black like we do today but a class apart. Think Haitian mulattoes. The only reason they considered Africa for a place of settlement is because they didn't feel they would ever get a fair shake in America. It wasn't for any real affinity for Africa.
@aped Not true, if they were light enough to pass, the would have, none of the Americo-Liberians had been free for the 2 centuries you falsely claim. Some may have been born to free parents, but not for 2 centuries.
Helene Cooper, Your book and video support the ethics of true journalism. How can you use your influence, knowledge to heal the wounds of our country? Liberia needs us! we need honesty people like you. The complexity of my country history makes it harder for people to help make it a better place for all Liberians. You are a true dauther of the the soil. Even though you left when you were young but thank you for the book you wrote. Our founding fathers divided Liberia. We must unite it!
the natives were incapable to educate themselves..the only educated people were americo liberians and they dont wanna give the natives the chance to education..our people used to work for them but with no pay,, unforunately we had to go thro the civil war. hopefully we are exposed now and more brighter than before.
came to liberia with that kinda destructive mentality..let me give an example, lets say you own your house and somebody out of nowhere comes to your home and tryna be in control of everything..how would you feel? Right thats excally how these americo liberians behaved against the natives liberians. their intention was to lead liberia to their satisfaction they wouldnt let or give any native position..
@DESTEER1 Very simplistic there were excesses on both sides. Many Americo-Liberians for example were shocked and disgusted to see the Africans practicing slavery. In fact still selling other Africans to Europeans. They sought to stamp it out.
Also there was duplicity on part of Africans and they tried to massacre the Americo-Liberians several times.
@apedi highly disagree about what you said are you aware of the history?? or are you just ashamed to state the facts but anyway this is just nonsencse, let me give you an advice, do a research than you can comment because you are potriting false information to the viewers and you are completely oblivious to what was happening around the country
i dont like how shes making the story seem like..you guys were enslaved by write people in america and fortunately you were set free.. and than you came to the motherland with nothing good but to enslave the indigenous and uneducated people..
@shifragri They were merely mimicking Southern American norms at the time. Many of them were free in America for 2 centuries and very light skinned. Some were white in appearance.
Helene: Thank you. I'm native. When the uneducated took power, the country burned. Since 1980, Liberia has never become peaceful. Education is Light to Evil. Tolbert was the only well educated who ever ruled Liberia. He tried very hard to stop divisions. Liberia is actually not in our hands today. His enemies where the once he mainly helped. Most Liberian regret and ask God for forgiveness. I get sad when I think about Tolbert. There is nowhere in the World one can get a Bag of Rice for $4.00
I'm just reading about the history of Liberia. While Tolbert was far from perfect it sounds like the country descended into hell on earth when Doe and later Taylor came to power. The things I read about are just unreal- that people can be that vicious. I worked with a guy from Liberia who told me a story about how he had to beg for his life from a child holding a Kalashnikov.
@ar4216 The violence you have read about is not unique to Africa, unfortunately this kind of behavior can be found on every continent. Read about the Balkans and you will be shocked beyond belief.
ps the pride goes to the accomplishment the descendants of slaves accomplish after surviving the savage uncivilized act of being sold into slavery by your own. i.e. the same pride one has in achieving the presidency of the usa after jim crow.
i read the book and it is great. i cried when i read the part about the assasination of president tolbert and his cabinet members. liberia must atone for those savage actions if they wnat to move forward.
This in essence is the story of the two Liberias: ofounded by freed slaves and the other at of Africa and by indigenous Africans. I have never understood the pride in being a SLAVE.
Very funny Liberians...Freed slaves enslaving natives as slaves basically slaves enslaving slaves lol. After all the concor and uperclass hullabaloos what has Liberia got to show for it? Look at our infrastructure so disgraceful and they still want to boost about dis bulshit all they know is POWER through hook or crook killing inocent people just to get power. Look at Ghana and Nigeria way advanced we dont need no more upperclass bullshit!!
Why didnt u run away with your so called sister huh!
@gbeyee I have to admit that part of the book was a disgrace. Helene knows very well that girl was little more than a domestic. Southern white slave owners used to give their daughters black playmates as well.
@aped You may want to ask Helene herself because things like that differed in each household. My grandfather's adoptive brothers were always treated as equals. They were sent to the same schools as him and had all the same opportunities. Their birth parents were glad to give them to my greatgrandfather because they knew they'd have a better life. I'm not saying some Americo-Liberians didn't use them as domestics but not all. Stop accusing and get the facts first...
You must feel really good "adopting a little native girl" to civilize and have your father rape occasionally, which was the norm in many Americos household in Liberia. Did you put that in ur book? Guess What? That little native girl parents tax money paid for your big, big book! Get beside urself
Why didnt she get into detail about the other tribes who pretty much practice rape by allowing young girls to marry old men at an early age and to ridiculously "circumsized"?
Get over urself..its a book enjoy or if not dont read it. please dont bring the politics into this thing....
All the tribal politics of Liberia need to take a back seat to real and all-inclusive Liberian pride. Group separation and subordination is what lead to the wars to begin with. We need to know our history and use it fuel our future.
I got this book; just finished it today. It is really amazing. My mother is Liberian and it helped me understand, literally, where she's coming from (or where she came from). The book is written in great detail and it is very unforgettable.
Dear Helene,
I read your book in Italian, it has been translated last year. I was very curious about your history and I find it very nice. Thank you for describing us your life history.
Happy New Year
Micaela fom Italy
TheMicalaura 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hi Helene, I just finished reading your book that I bought at Starbucks in Logan, Utah - USA back then on vacation in November 2008. I LOVED IT!!! Thank you for sharing your memoir; I didn't even know anything about Liberia and all related details. So happy I brought this with to read on vacation here in Phuket, Thailand. Wishing you all the best. - Jason Peterson, from Germany
JPHowy1969 2 months ago
Hi Helene, I just finished reading your book that I bought at Starbucks in Logan, Utah - USA back then on vacation in November 2008. I LOVED IT!!! Thank you for sharing your memoir; I didn't even know anything about Liberia and all related details. So happy I brought this with to read on vacation here in Phuket, Thailand. Wishing you all the best. - Jason Peterson, from Germany
JPHowy1969 2 months ago
ok
PATRICELUMUMBAS 1 year ago
Free energy is finaly here!But the Oil coporations life depends on covering this up,if you want a real Free energy Magnet Motor, get the blueprints at LT-MAGNET-MOTORdotCOM ,Join the revolution!
urgencyharviefcem 1 year ago
i am reading the book at this moment..i like this book..but i can understand why there was a coup.but i also wish Liberia could return to its former self.but I am 60%sure it wont .kinda seems like the Americans arrived and became the oppressors OF THE ORIGINALS OF THAT LAND..NEXT STOP GHANA ITS THE ONLY COUNTRY THATS EXTENDED AN OLIVE BRANCH TO AMERICAN BLKS.HOTEP!
universalconnections 1 year ago
@universalconnections Yes, the freed blacks did exactly set-up the same unjust system they left. I never understood why Americo-Liberians kept the names of the people who had enslaved them? One can somewhat understand why African-Americans have done so, but why do so in Africa?
shifragri 1 year ago
@shifragri Again you need to read deeper. Many of these settlers were from old free families of color. They didn't consider themselves black like we do today but a class apart. Think Haitian mulattoes. The only reason they considered Africa for a place of settlement is because they didn't feel they would ever get a fair shake in America. It wasn't for any real affinity for Africa.
aped 1 year ago
@aped Not true, if they were light enough to pass, the would have, none of the Americo-Liberians had been free for the 2 centuries you falsely claim. Some may have been born to free parents, but not for 2 centuries.
shifragri 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Helene Cooper, Your book and video support the ethics of true journalism. How can you use your influence, knowledge to heal the wounds of our country? Liberia needs us! we need honesty people like you. The complexity of my country history makes it harder for people to help make it a better place for all Liberians. You are a true dauther of the the soil. Even though you left when you were young but thank you for the book you wrote. Our founding fathers divided Liberia. We must unite it!
juliussuku 1 year ago
Comment removed
juliussuku 2 years ago
Comment removed
juliussuku 2 years ago
Comment removed
juliussuku 2 years ago
the natives were incapable to educate themselves..the only educated people were americo liberians and they dont wanna give the natives the chance to education..our people used to work for them but with no pay,, unforunately we had to go thro the civil war. hopefully we are exposed now and more brighter than before.
DESTEER1 2 years ago
came to liberia with that kinda destructive mentality..let me give an example, lets say you own your house and somebody out of nowhere comes to your home and tryna be in control of everything..how would you feel? Right thats excally how these americo liberians behaved against the natives liberians. their intention was to lead liberia to their satisfaction they wouldnt let or give any native position..
DESTEER1 2 years ago
@DESTEER1 Very simplistic there were excesses on both sides. Many Americo-Liberians for example were shocked and disgusted to see the Africans practicing slavery. In fact still selling other Africans to Europeans. They sought to stamp it out.
Also there was duplicity on part of Africans and they tried to massacre the Americo-Liberians several times.
aped 1 year ago
@apedi highly disagree about what you said are you aware of the history?? or are you just ashamed to state the facts but anyway this is just nonsencse, let me give you an advice, do a research than you can comment because you are potriting false information to the viewers and you are completely oblivious to what was happening around the country
DESTEER1 1 year ago
i dont like how shes making the story seem like..you guys were enslaved by write people in america and fortunately you were set free.. and than you came to the motherland with nothing good but to enslave the indigenous and uneducated people..
DESTEER1 2 years ago
@DESTEER1 As an African American I am ashamed and angry at the way the Americo-Liberians treated the Native Africans.
shifragri 1 year ago
@shifragri They were merely mimicking Southern American norms at the time. Many of them were free in America for 2 centuries and very light skinned. Some were white in appearance.
aped 1 year ago
@aped wrong, none had been free for 2 centuries and if they were white enough to pass they would have. try that bs on a less knowledgeable person.
shifragri 1 year ago
Helene: Thank you. I'm native. When the uneducated took power, the country burned. Since 1980, Liberia has never become peaceful. Education is Light to Evil. Tolbert was the only well educated who ever ruled Liberia. He tried very hard to stop divisions. Liberia is actually not in our hands today. His enemies where the once he mainly helped. Most Liberian regret and ask God for forgiveness. I get sad when I think about Tolbert. There is nowhere in the World one can get a Bag of Rice for $4.00
Ancientafrica 2 years ago 2
@Ancientafrica
I'm just reading about the history of Liberia. While Tolbert was far from perfect it sounds like the country descended into hell on earth when Doe and later Taylor came to power. The things I read about are just unreal- that people can be that vicious. I worked with a guy from Liberia who told me a story about how he had to beg for his life from a child holding a Kalashnikov.
ar4216 1 year ago
@ar4216 The violence you have read about is not unique to Africa, unfortunately this kind of behavior can be found on every continent. Read about the Balkans and you will be shocked beyond belief.
shifragri 1 year ago
ps the pride goes to the accomplishment the descendants of slaves accomplish after surviving the savage uncivilized act of being sold into slavery by your own. i.e. the same pride one has in achieving the presidency of the usa after jim crow.
necatty 3 years ago
i read the book and it is great. i cried when i read the part about the assasination of president tolbert and his cabinet members. liberia must atone for those savage actions if they wnat to move forward.
necatty 3 years ago
This in essence is the story of the two Liberias: ofounded by freed slaves and the other at of Africa and by indigenous Africans. I have never understood the pride in being a SLAVE.
jaygbay1 3 years ago
Very funny Liberians...Freed slaves enslaving natives as slaves basically slaves enslaving slaves lol. After all the concor and uperclass hullabaloos what has Liberia got to show for it? Look at our infrastructure so disgraceful and they still want to boost about dis bulshit all they know is POWER through hook or crook killing inocent people just to get power. Look at Ghana and Nigeria way advanced we dont need no more upperclass bullshit!!
Why didnt u run away with your so called sister huh!
gbeyee 3 years ago 2
@gbeyee I have to admit that part of the book was a disgrace. Helene knows very well that girl was little more than a domestic. Southern white slave owners used to give their daughters black playmates as well.
aped 1 year ago
@aped You may want to ask Helene herself because things like that differed in each household. My grandfather's adoptive brothers were always treated as equals. They were sent to the same schools as him and had all the same opportunities. Their birth parents were glad to give them to my greatgrandfather because they knew they'd have a better life. I'm not saying some Americo-Liberians didn't use them as domestics but not all. Stop accusing and get the facts first...
LJboogy27 6 months ago
To BassaPekin, were u there when her father raped the native girl? How would u know?
lovely155 3 years ago
i hope Helene finds Eunice.
nathans226 3 years ago
@nathans226 she did
vaimende 3 months ago
You must feel really good "adopting a little native girl" to civilize and have your father rape occasionally, which was the norm in many Americos household in Liberia. Did you put that in ur book? Guess What? That little native girl parents tax money paid for your big, big book! Get beside urself
bassapekin 3 years ago
You know, keep your assinine comments to yourself. You have no idea what you are talking about.
hollace1 3 years ago
Do shut up
netaddict6989 3 years ago
Why didnt she get into detail about the other tribes who pretty much practice rape by allowing young girls to marry old men at an early age and to ridiculously "circumsized"?
Get over urself..its a book enjoy or if not dont read it. please dont bring the politics into this thing....
netaddict6989 3 years ago
shut ur moth im mixed americo liberian and vai mende and im proud
vaimende 2 years ago
you make to say, I'm a liberian.. keep up the good work..
libprince 3 years ago
All the tribal politics of Liberia need to take a back seat to real and all-inclusive Liberian pride. Group separation and subordination is what lead to the wars to begin with. We need to know our history and use it fuel our future.
LiberianMan29 3 years ago
Keep up the good work,Helene.
clay2nine 3 years ago
I think Americo-Liberian!!
safboogie83 3 years ago
Yes Americo Liberian
netaddict6989 3 years ago
That was awesome. I will get this book! The grandaughter of President Tolbert is a good friend of mine!
safboogie83 3 years ago
I got this book; just finished it today. It is really amazing. My mother is Liberian and it helped me understand, literally, where she's coming from (or where she came from). The book is written in great detail and it is very unforgettable.
Sonjay718 3 years ago
Tolberts are a Liberian family or Americo Liberian family.
netaddict6989 3 years ago
Really...
The wife died in Minnesota.
netaddict6989 3 years ago