THE IMPEDIMENT THAT BAD EYESIGHT POSES TO LIBERIAN STUDENTS LIVING IN RURAL VILLAGES.

The Pan-African community; not people, our community is a World.

Many Liberian Americans have raised awareness about the need to " educate the Liberian children " in order to advance the cause of Liberian revitalization. Needless to say, the development of well-lighted classrooms and modern teaching technology will be needed to accomplish this noble task. Just as importantly, the epidemic of blindness and poor eyesight that plagues the African Continent must be addressed. Fortunately, O.D.s ( Doctors of Optometry ) are inclusive of a growing and diverse population of health professionals interested in " living for a cause higher than money and respect. "

Practically all African Americans, at some point in time, watched the movie called roots. Alex Haley beautifully sculpted the brutality and barbarism that defined the experience African people brought to the United States as slaves. Black women had no right to protect their bodies from rape and a myriad of other insults, and black men were hanged and burned at the stake on regular basis, FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS ! The thought of black people learning to read was the fodder of many jokes, and the stories of " tolerant whites " such as Abraham Lincoln are mere fabrications common to the revisionist history the conservative white Americans have become so fond of. As painful as it was ( and is ) for African Americans to watch this film, it beautifully explains the unique affection the African Americans have for our homeland, and our long lost ancestors.

Fortunately, African Americans who's hearts are molded by Roots desire to undo some of the damage done during the worst holocaust the World has ever known. MANY African American O.D.s dream of doing voluntary eye screening in the remote regions of Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria. Working with teams of health professionals, other issues such as high infant-mortality rates can be addressed.

Just as importantly, health care workers indigenous to the remote regions of Liberia and other locations can receive much needed upgrades in training. Nutritionists can provide valuable advice to what children should be fed at various stages of life. And primary-care physicians, physicians assistants, and HIV/AIDS nurses can both screen people for HIV and other STDs, and if needed, provide education regarding condom usage.

Liberians will ultimately save Liberia, in particular, and West Africans will save West Africa in general. But the seeds Roots living in African Americans will certainly supply much needed humanitarian support.

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