Saturday, October 11, 2008

Liberia Association of Writers (LAW) Celebrates Redemption Road



Today's LAW meeting was probably the event I will cherish most from my Liberia book tour. LAW -- the Liberia Association of Writers -- meets at the We-Care Library at one o'clock on the second Saturday of each month for discussions, readings and critiques. I have been a member for ages -- joining back in 2000, I believe, when the group was being revived after what we thought was the end of the civil war. There were only 3 or 4 of us at that meeting, which was held in a classroom at the Wells Hairston High School on Mechlin Street. Subsequent meetings were sporadic, and more fighting came along and interrupted our lives. But through it all, we kept on writing. What else could we do? How else could we express our fears, our griefs and our hopes? Writers. We keep on writing because through our words we all live.







LAW is now very strong, and we take our meetings very seriously. Today, when we celebrated the publication of Redemption Road, LAW President Michael Weah and everyone who spoke called it "our book" and they were just as proud of it as I am. After the meeting, I did the customary signing of a copy to leave on the Liberian Authors' shelf at the library.




(l-r: James Dwalu, Michael Weah, me, Watchen Johnson, and her daughter)



Yes, it's just a shelf now, but we will keep on writing and one day, because of all our fears, our griefs and our hopes, because of all our triumphs and our joys, and because we must, Liberian writers shall fill a whole library with our words and with the stories that will keep us alive.

7 comments:

Elvira said...

Love this post. We certainly hope to see an entire library filled with books by Liberian authors. It is good to see the organization being active. Thanks.
Elvira

Dennis Jah aka Gbakukenju said...

Please, if you can, send me links to the works of all Liberian writers so that I can promote them on my website at no cost. One link per author will be great.

The site is currently under construction is found at www.allafricawrite.com

Email: jah.dennis@gmail.com

wocwriters.com said...

Dear LAW; congrats on keeping Liberian writers inspired and writing. I'm the head of the Women of Color Writers Community. A global community for Women Writers. I'm in Liberia until 4/4/11 and will be holding a writing workshop for Liberian women. WOC Writers is publishing an Anthology "Boundaries & Borders and we want Liberian women to submit. Visit www.WOCWriters.com, for information writer to WOCSubmissions@gmail.com. All fees are waived for Liberian writers.
Would like to contact or hear from LAW members. I can be reached at 06651393- OyaBisi@gmail.com - SBisi

Women of Color Writers' said...

Dear Law,

It has been several years since I posted on your blog spot. Wondering if you are still active in Liberia and how things are going. I still head the Women of Color Writers Community www.WOCWriters.org. I also founded and support a clinic in Brewerville and adult education programs on the ground in Liberia - look at www.imanihouse.org. If anyone reads this and feels like responding please email me at oyabisi@gmail.com or imani@imanihouse.org.
Well wishes,
SisterBisi

Unknown said...

I am a young and upcoming Liberian writer. But I am seventeen (17) years old and a Twelfth (12th) grader. Is it possible that I could become a member? I am willing to let you see some of my work in whatever way you guys find convenient. (please reply!!)

Karcee D Mensah Jr said...

Hi LAW, I’m impressed deeply by this post moreover I am an emerging short story writer. I really wished to be a part of this group and see myself contributing to the educational sector of our country. Please give me a reply: email karceedmensahjr1980@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I am glad to be on my ‘home’ way after 45 years or thereabouts.
I am John Katie Zogar, Sr., who was a member of LAW during my days at St. Patrick High School 1975-1977. My interest then was Literature which was inaccessible. So, I was taken away by Engineering. However, the boredom engineers faced today made me to try my hand at a Novel which is about 90% complete. An old teacher of mine from my Cathedral school days, Sister Mary Laurene Brown pointed me your way after I briefed her.
I hope to be at your next meeting. My number is 0777971683.
Thanks
John Kawie Zogar, St