The recent online distribution of the unauthorized, scanned copy of Mengistu Haile Mariam's book is receiving strong criticism. (Photo: From the book cover)
Tadias Magazine
By Professor Donald N. Levine
Published: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The leaders in the EPRP organization who authorized the scanning and posting of the book published by Tsehai Publishers on debteraw.com committed an act that was illegal, unethical, and imprudent. To my mind, that marks it as “un-Ethiopian.”
As I have come to know Ethiopians in many traditions and walks of life, at first hand and through the reports of numerous scholars, I find them essentially law-respecting, ethical, and prudent human beings. Whether it is in observing the laws enacted by an Oromo gumi gayo assembly, a Sidamo town meeting, or Tigrayan court of justice, Ethiopians traditionally express a strong sense of devotion to validly formulated laws and judicial pronouncements. (This trait captured me memorably when, after the new Constitution of 1955 was published, janitors could be seen in the Department of Justice leaning on their brooms and studying it closely!)
Again, whatever religious belief system they follow – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or the worship of Waaq – Ethiopians exhibit a keen sense of respect for moral standards. What is more, I have found Ethiopians of many classes and ethnic groups to be mature in cautioning against impulsive and socially destructive behaviors. Indeed, what I have glossed as the culture of Wax and Gold reflects a wish to avoid saying things that will illicit negative reactions from those with whom they associate.
The brazen act of the debteraw.com website in scanning and posting the text of Tiglatchn by Mengistu Haile Mariam is patently illegal and so repeats the very behavior that they condemn. On this point, a number of attorneys have assured me that such action stands in clear violation of international and national copyright laws. Although the responsible party claims justification by virtue of a “Son of Sam Law” which prohibits criminals from profiting from their crimes by selling their stories, Colonel Mengistu, however, has not been paid for this book. The publisher not only gave him no money for the manuscript but stands to incur a loss in producing this publication.
It is, moreover, unethical, since it violates commonly shared ethical standards by virtue of responding to a displeasing act with an effort to destroy the perpetrator.
Finally, it is doubly imprudent. On the one hand, illegally posting this manuscript in digital form only serves to increase exponentially the distribution of what this website has condemned as a “book of lies.” Indeed, the point should be emphasized that such a wide distribution will likely strengthen the credibility and endurance of Mengistu’s claims rather than their condemnation. What is more, it aborts the opportunity that publication provides for serious critical scrutiny of a book that patently contains a great number of unsustainable claims. This action might also discourage the Press from publishing a memoir of the EPRP.
On the other hand, the attack on Tsehai Publishers reinforces a tendency among Ethiopians to vilify and defame one another when they disagree. As I have argued for decades, this tendency stands to impede the formation of productive public discourse and to reinforce cycles of violent conflict.
The victim of this triply unscrupulous revenge, Tsehai publisher Elias Wondimu, is a truly heroic Ethiopian, who has invested a huge amount of his life in producing a harvest of publications that can help Ethiopians understand themselves and appreciate their rich traditions and complex society. I can think of no more appropriate response by all Ethiopians, including enlightened EPRP members, than to proceed forthwith to tsehaipublishers.com and order three books. It would be no less appropriate to send a contribution to the Press for the legal defense fund, which they will need to resolve the legal aspect of this unfortunate affair.
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About the Author:
Donald N. Levine served as the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago. His research and teaching interests focus on classical social theory, modernization theory, Ethiopian studies, conflict theory and aikido, and philosophies of liberal education.
Related:
Q & A with Elias Wondimu of Tsehai Publishers (TADIAS)
Ethiopia: Copyrights and CopyCrimes – By Alemayehu G Mariam (Ethio Media)
In defense of Tsehai Publishers – By Fikre Tolossa (Ethiopian Review)
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I totally agree with the observation of Professor Levine. As a person who lost his father and brother in brutal murder by forces of Mengistu Haile Mariam, I too like to read his perspective and understands where the need to kill everyone that have different opinion other than derg come from. It is very essential to understand and learn from the crime fingerprints of Mengistu so history will not repeat itself. By putting the publisher in a awkward situation EPRP jeopardize the possibility of future books like “why we sold Ethiopian land and why it is not our fault” or “from Arat kilo to Akaki, the rise and fall of EPRDF”
Donald,
I thank you for your eloquent argument in relation to this matter. This is a much matured comment in its essence.
I am no fan of Mengistu but the behaviour of the so called EPRP is inexcusable. The ill cause of this group sacked the blood of thousands of innocent Ethiopians, and yet again the very group that destroyed our generation still instigate retribution and hatred among Ethiopians from their hideouts. It is an act of violation of copy right rules with no merit of input to our current struggle, neither does it add substance to their misguided forethought. EPRP has already degraded and terminally exhausted with no hope of recovery. However, I fear that this cancerous remnant would still infect the peace and stability of Ethiopia, whether that peace is for unity or for diversification, for our fragmented opposition or for crony capitalist-TPLF.
It is a disgrace in the eyes of the vast majority of Ethiopian and the world who obey the rule of law!
You have no hope, no future, you are already buried!
Dorch
Well said. Thank you!
Despite the copy right law, we managed to read the pdf as majority of the people can’t afford to buy it, better to get it for free! However, the message is so empty as his leadership was, nothing would countribute to the knowldge we have so far! so don’t worry abot the norm!
“On the other hand, the attack on Tsehai Publishers reinforces a tendency among Ethiopians to vilify and defame one another when they disagree. As I have argued for decades, this tendency stands to impede the formation of productive public discourse and to reinforce cycles of violent conflict.” This was the best quote for me that summed up the sentiment of the silent majority. Wake up people this is not 1974.
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is, once said Winston Churchill. Is it not true? What this people did is so backward, I can’t even express my anger. They are from yesteryears. Soldier own Tsehai Publishers! Don’t let ignorant people distract you from your good work.
In more tolerant societies, children are thought history in the hopes that their generation may not repeat it. Unless an independent publisher gives us the books, then who will? Please stop this insanity for Ethiopia’s sake, for the the young generation’s sake.
Its unethical to steal period. Those people, who thought they hurting Mengstu by putting his book on the web for without prudence, lost their credibility just for doing that. The people will look through it, I am sure. Good one Ato Levine.
What a shame, the butcher of Addis Ababa is getting notoriety. Imagine telling to a Jew not to tamper with the memoir of Adolf Hitler. What a double standard! The scum-bag that fled to Zimbabwe should have been hanged upside down like his counter-part fascist Benito Mussolini.
“…. illegal, unethical, and imprudent …” I think what is morally or spiritually illegal, unethical, and imprudent is assisting criminals, dictators, mass murderers to escape justice. The scum-bag was rewarded millions of dollars by the same people who try to tell us what marks us as “un-Ethiopian.”
I pray the spirit of Ethiopiawinet rise up with the Grace of God.
Dr. Levine,
Fantastic! I love the fact that you love and respect Ethiopians and Ethiopia! God bless you. Otherwise you would not have wasted your precious time writing this article. May I quote from “Form Democracy without the citizen?” ‘It seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by conduct and example, to decide the important question, weather societies are really capable or not, of establishing good government from the reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend, for their political constitutions, on accident and force.’ Whoever said that applies today and to this situation.
Peace
Prof. Levine is a highly respected scholar in manners Ethiopian. His analysis of the ethical standards of decency exhibited by Ethiopians is touching as it is based on decades of observing our people from near and far, as a friend of the Ethiopian people. However, what is missing in his consideration is of the matter is the divisiveness, hatred, division and pain the Memory of Mengistu raises among Ethiopians. For all those who passed through the wanton killings of the “Red Terror” to cite an example, and for those whose loved ones were slaughtered without the benefit of even the semblance of a kangaroo court, and all who were forced to flee their beloved country and families just to escape the fear of imprisonment, torture and death, Mengistu is a specter who will haunt generations of Ethiopians for decades. Mengistu’s name is not too different among many in the Ethiopian community than that of Hitler among Jews, and Stalin among Russians, or Idi Amin among Ugandans. This however dose not mean the the the EPRP was the David fighting Goliath, they were also responsible for horrendous acts of terrorism and barbarism. Thus when one talks about the breakdown of community ethics about a hijacked book and expressions of sympathy for the innocent bystander, Tsehai Publishers, it is important to at least make allusions to the cause of the pain that is responsible for this. This situation should also test the high ethical standards of our people that Prof. Levine so nicely put. Thus Ethiopians also have the choice to continue to be ethical and buy the book legitimately from Tsehai publishers rather than be tempted to participate in the free bonanza.
Hello Prof Donald N. Levine
I love your book: Wax and Gold
Great work
No type of financial or political excuses can justify this vindictive, mean spirited behavior. Engough is enough. Please do not drag Jews and Hitler into this. The Jews never broke the law to go after Nazi criminals. Have you heard of the movie “Triumph of the Will” (Triumph des Willens)? If not, it is a propaganda film made by Leni Riefenstahl in the 1930′s. It features excerpts from Adolf Hitler’s speeches, interspersed with footage from the 1934 Nazi Party Congress in Nuremberg, which was attended by more than 700,000 Nazi supporters. Today, in Germany, the film is classified as Nazi propaganda, but it may be shown in an educational context. Extensive excerpts of the film were used in the Swedish box office hit Mein Kampf. This prompted the filmamker to sue the production company Minerva for copyright violation. She won a temporary injunction against the German distributor. Subsequently in order to release the film, the German distributor agreed to pay Riefenstahl thirty thousand marks for Germany’s release and a further five thousand marks for Austria’s. Triumph of the Will has also been studied by many contemporary artists (At his wedding, Mick Jagger told Riefenstahl that he had seen it at least 15 times), including film directors Peter Jackson, and Ridley Scott. The first known movie to use Triumph imagery is Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator.
Likewise, I hope Tsehai Publisher will get its day in court and claim the financial damage it had incurred! I will gladly contribute the to the Legal defense fund.
GM
Dear Professor Levine,
Kudos for your well informed analysis of the Mengistu Book Qilet. And yes Tsehai Publishers deserves our support and defense.
Meron
Woy-good, grandpa is out of control! These guys are probably in their 50′s and 60′s but they act like college pranksters. At a minimum you have to admit that this was politically and legally immature, to say the least.
What’s the difference between Meles and Menghistu? Menghistu beat us on a full stomach, Meles beats us on an empty one…
Many thanks, Professor.
Given all this condemnation and the stark proof that thier act was a gross violation of peoples’ rights, one expects debteraw.com and its aging patrons to come to their senses (if at all they have any left) to remove the copy of the book from their web page and post an apology to none other than Tsehai Publishers (which has already engaged its lawyers to bring a legal suit, by the way).
The way people of debteraw are handling this case in defiance of common sense and the law, as well as public out cry, is the clearer litmus and another proof for thier age-old arrogance that has become a fundamental impediment for any political cohesion and progress within the Ethiopian diaspora.
By the way, I received my copy of the book that I ordered from Tsehai Publishers just to day. To be honest, I had no intention to do so until I saw debteraw’s repugnant act.
It is blatant stupidity and ignorance by those guys at debteraw! It is actually very wise to understand what Mengistu was thinking and why he has done all the damage to the country. Hitler has written “Mein Kampf” – such books are actually treasures and are used for academic purposes and understand the thought process of such crazy outliers in the history of mankind!
Why did Mengistu decide to kill the best and brightest of the nation’s best, from the Best Military Generals in the country (perhaps even the continent by then), to the brightest elites, artists, writers, doctors, politicians, students, youth activists – who could have carried the nation forward! Why? What was he thinking? What was the rational behind? This book should actually be an opportunity to learn the hard-wiring of a savage dictator’s mind who did so much damage to his own country and people – while he apparently ‘loved’ (this could be disputed or ‘love’ redefined) the country and never questioned its sovereignty!
Whether Mengistu gets money or not is so trivial to even discuss about – that is for small minds! In stead, people should read the book and scrutinize the facts and stories, discuss in forums so that anything like that wouldn’t happen again in that country! That way we all learn and look forward for better and civilized leadership in that country!
I am glad to see that you are also in league with me about the right of the public to buy and read any book that is published with full provisions of copyrights. That dictator whose hands are drenched with the blood of thousands of innocents individuals also retains the same right to write about any subject he likes as long he is alive and if his writings are not intended to incite terrorism. For one reason or another he has escaped justice and he may not have his day in court at all. His victims and their surviving loved ones may not see him face judges for the crimes he committed at all either. That said, he is free to say anything he wants and can write books as he pleases. In this case, I think the publisher made one critical mistake(Innocent mistake). He should forewarn the public a year or two in advance that a book is in the offing written by the former dictator himself. And he should have been prepared for such vile action as copyrights infringement. In this internet age, nothing is off-limits to these offensive miscreants. If the publisher has any affinity with this ruthless dictator, that is also his inalienable right to do so. But I am not sure about that and it does not matter to me at all. The publisher should set the price not on a get-rich-quick scheme but at the price which sell the book fast with lower profit margin. I assume the book is a two-color print except may be the cover on a low opacity uncoated paper. I just saw it on Tsehai website it looks to have a hard cover. But the price it selling for is too high when it sells the much more valuable and scholarly book as International Journal of Ethiopian Studies for $25.00. That price range opens itself wide open for pirating. It should also try to diversify its catalog by including more books written by Ethiopian authors present and past. That said, this publisher should come out and say something about this book in lights of this piracy and tell us if he needs any assistance. From I am reading on its website, this ‘literacy terrorist’ is trying to convince families of the victims of Mengistu to go to court. The publisher should be prepared for that also. We are living in a sue-happy environment and litigation ‘gendarmes’. I am willing and ready to help but I want to hear it from the publisher himself.
Prof Levine,
Thank you for hitting the nail on the head!
Respect,
Y.
Some time in October I paid about $90:00 for Messay Kebede’s latest book “Ideology and Elite Conflicts: Autopsy of the Ethiopian Revolution.” It is less than 400 pages. At a book signing in DC, I also purchased the latest book by Theodore Vestal which is under 250 pages, but paid about $45. I am writing this for people like Ittu Aba Farda–If you don’t buy books as often as I do, I can understand and will say that you are complaining because you don’t know better. Otherwise, for the quality and number of pages that they produce Tsehai’s price is the most reasonable. Check for yourself the recent books by Tsehai, like books by Tekalign Gedamu and Bahru Zewde. I picked both recently at Sankofa. Both are over 500 pages, but they are at about $40. To avoid any further public embarrassment, let’s compare price before we make such points and say to our own publisher thank you for your service.
What is the solution?
Mengestu book is very bad and he still try to lie to Ethiopian people.
Generally he can not amend his mistake. that show me he is still stupid.
Mr. Demeke Ayalew:
How do you know about my habit of book collection? And also, I was talking to Brother Wondimu, not you. Did you forget our rich etiquette be it Oromo, Amhara or the rest of us that jumping in uninvited is considered rude interruption. Instead of hollering at me, let’s all help this very fine gentleman, Obbo Elias Wondimu.
Professor Donald Levine clearly understands how Ethiopians operate.
The “tendency among Ethiopians to vilify and defame one another” holds us back tremendously. Those of us who grew up abroad are acutely aware of this tendency and are fearful of working with Ethiopians because of it. It is downright scary – this is just not how the others operate. Others disagree, they discuss, they debate and then they move on. How else does anyone get anything done?
There are many of us with useful skills that would love to contribute but we just can’t stomach this constant vilifaction and hateful/useless talk about others.
How did we become this way? Have we always been like this? It is pathological.
Wow, catching up late! Interesting discussion. Menge is back in the news? Gee Weeeee. The dude belongs in jail and not in some luxury farm. Having said that, what the big deal about printing the book? You should be competing the get the second book not beat-up the publisher. It’s so weird how people vent by hurting another trying to do honest days work. It’s not fair.
Dear A,
You have a point when you talk about vilifying and defamation; However, I disagree when you try to distinguish yourself from the masses by telling us how to be well behaved. Not being raised up in the states doesn’t make us less well mannered than the diaspora people.
Thank you Professor, I feel that even though Mengstu’s practice was so bad, what about the opposite reactions at that time? Is that different from Mengstu? I don’t think so! What I mean is that Mengstu is a reflection of one of us!! So, we Ethiopians need to discuss about our past. Let’s talk about reality. I never heard about Mengstu putting money in foreign banks? That’s different from the contemporary officials. Ethiopia is already failed by rigid personalities. I am not supporter of Mengstu. We Ethiopians should not always live divorced life and we need to learn to trust and love!!
HT
Generally speaking i agree that copy rigths should be respected. but on mingistu case it is been very nieve to belive that mingistu didnt get anything from this book either in montery values or distorting history on his beneift. publishing his book on tshaye publisher part is a gross mistake or it shows them been unrespectfull to all of us who has lost our parents in the hands of the derg and mingistu. this guy didnt even see his day in court and has 10000 of blood on his hand. working with him. and helping him publish this garbage should have been a crime.
Belay, where here was mentioned the differences in manners between Ethiopians in Ethiopia and Ethiopians in the Diaspora? Or is it Phony division originating in state propaganda machine? Either way point underscored by the professor is a correct refection of the “attack the messenger instead of the message” syndrome that has long inflicted mass communication and debate in Ethiopia, extending toxic culture to communities far and wide outside the country that given the diaspora enjoys more privilege of democratic rights may sound louder than those at home less endowed with legal protections and speak softly in regards to matters indiscretions by superiors in public administration, and maybe quick to accuse their brethren who do of acting stuck up, indeed the opposite is true.
Is the official line of the Party or some pranksters at Debteraw???
Debteraw is dedicated to the founder of EPRP the late Tsegaye Gebre Medhin Lucha (a.k.a. Debteraw), former leader of the Ethiopian Student Movement. They’re okay but this was unnecessary mistake.
Gud eko new!!! Lemangnawoom ESEPA ena EHADEG tefajachihu enje EPRP endehu Yahiya …. behodu new biloal!!!.
Mengistu proved to be a nightmare to an entire young generation during his dictatorship. He also is responsible for the deaths of thousands. He had torture structure set up from Kebele (lowest government administrative unit) to the palace. People were unspeakably tortured and, later, murdered. This man has written a book. Has any one considered that the illegal copying may be a way for many to show their anger? People have lost parents, brothers, sisters and relatives and, simply their loved ones to the atrocious torture structure. This is the man behind all the killings. Berhanemeskel, the then chairman or co-chairman of EPRP had sent a letter to Mengistu asking to be forgiven. At the time Berhanemeskel was harmless and totally under control. He was subject to severe torture. At the time EPRP maintained its stature as a formidable party in the minds of part of its members only. In reality, it was a party on the collapse. I am sure Mengistu was very well aware of that. The extent of torture left the members of the party no choice but to reveal the party’s weaknesses – I mean those who had access to confidential information within the party and who were subject to unimaginably brutal interrogations. However, Mengistu never considered ‘pardoning’ Berhanemeskel. I read on a book of his interview that he did not think Berhanemeskel abandoned his pride and asked the forgiveness. The life of Berhanemeskel was at his mercy. He could have kept him in person. But in the heart of Mengistu, there is no forgiveness. The revolution Mengistu talks about was the desire of the majority of Ethiopia’s population at the time. Not every one may have thought the overthrow of the emperor would come to be true or whether that was even a possibility. But the majority had disdained the mistreatment and abuse. The young engaged in the movement were being brainwashed with the ideologies of the leftists. Later, the military took away the revolution from the people and founded another form of despotism under military rule. Mengistu was a dictator beyond words. He even did not trust the people around him and caused their killings whenever he felt threatened. This is the man we are talking about and I would not have cared whether his copyright was respected or otherwise. He is not like an ordinary man we encounter in ordinary circumstances. This is a man responsible for the deaths of thousands of young Ethiopians, his lashes have left many sterile or disabled for life. Birds of the same feather flock together and President of Zimbabwe has vowed to be Mengistu’s safe heaven. May be one day, God of the armies will bring him to justice. Mengistu fails to come to the arena of justice and this is the least the public can do to show their resentment and despise. No one cares and should care about Mengistu’s or the publisher’s copyright. Mengistu was a ruthless killer and should have no gut to talk about revolution or Ethiopia or its history. How dare he talk about Ethiopia while he killed numerous Ethiopians? A country is not only about the territory and the people come first. One cannot talk about love of country while killing the people of that same country. Mengistu reigned to quench his lust for power and never for a second cared about the country. may be he thinks he did, but one that cares about the country does not kill its people. Because, above all, a country is about the people.
Abrham, that’s well and good. And Thank you for restating the facts that we all already know about the brutal dictator Menigistu Haile Mariam. Nothing you mentioned, however, justifies breaking the law. The law is the law. Period.
There are greater storms in politics than you will ever find at sea. Piracy, broadsides, blood on the decks. You will find them all in politics. This is a good example.
What is the harm if the poor could read his own story for free? In fact, the guy who did this should be thanked for his troubles. He made me read this shit by making me pay with my time. It was not free at all. Sharing is our tradition too remember…….
Piracy of books, music, and any kind of intellect property is terrible. It’s stealing.
Global music piracy, for example, robs the United States of $12.5 billion in economic output and more than 71000 jobs annually, according to a new study by The Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI), U.S. workers lose $2.7 billion in earnings to music piracy. The study is one in a series to examine the economic impact of copyright and patent infringement. I recommend that Tseahi publishes to get in touch with IPI to also focus on this issue. It is very obvious from the ignorance displayed by comments here show that education in your community is highly needed.
Piracy has taken a hit, but it’s always going to be a problem. It’s human nature to find ways around paying. Some people just don’t get it. That’s what experts call human stupidity.
I certainly don’t know if you could claim that every theft is wrong, but I’ll prove to you that every theft is forbidden.