Liberian President George Weah on February 14 called on Liberians to unify and reconcile their differences during the kickoff of the year-long bicentennial celebration of the first free Black Americans arriving in 1822. Dana Banks, special assistant to President Joe Biden, made some astounding historical clarifications.

The former enslaved Americans arrived in Providence Island. Dana Banks, special assistant to President Joe Biden, acknowledged that the reparatriated Africans were leaving a country that legalized slavery. “They were sponsored, in part, by the American Colonization Society, a racist project – supported even by the Great Emancipator himself, President Abraham Lincoln – with the goal of removing free Black people from America.”

Banks went on to praise Liberia’s accomplishments including electing the first female head of state not just for Liberia, but in all of Africa. “A milestone, I might add, we have yet to achieve in my own country,” she said.

Banks admitted that like the United States, Liberia is an imperfect democracy, butwith corruption being a major problem. “Corruption is an act of robbery. It robs Liberia’s citizens of access to health care, to public safety, to education. It robs you of the healthy business environment we all know Liberia could have, which would lift countless Liberians out of poverty.”

The Bicentennial seeks to deepen US-Liberia historical ties, forge stronger economic and social bonds between Liberian and Americans, and most importantly place US-Liberian relations on a more productive foundation reports the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

"The United States is a proud and dedicated partner and friend of Liberia. But ultimately, only the Liberian Government and the Liberian people can tackle corruption, fight for accountability and transparency, and move this country forward," adde3d Banks.

The bicentennial programs runs through December 10, 2022.

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Note-On Port Of Harlem Talk Radio:Rufus S. Berry II, Liberia’s Bicentennial and Moving Back Home to Corruption: