首页|(Mis) Representing the Ethiopian forest fire disaster
(Mis) Representing the Ethiopian forest fire disaster
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NETL
They do not protest with signs in their hands。 They do not walk down the mainstreets of their nation’s capital shouting anti-government slogans， calling on the highest governmentofficials to reform。 They do not have the privilege of this type of protest。 Instead， theEthiopian people light fires。 The Ethiopian people use fires as a tool of protest because theydon’t have the luxuries of choice， modernization or privilege。 The international aid communityhas historically “misread” fire in Ethiopia， viewing it as a natural disaster rather than as a politicalstatement against oppressive national and international forces。 Viewing fire in Ethiopia as anatural disaster reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the context in which these fires burn。In addition， it displays the west’s blindness to understanding and appreciating cultural differencein political protest。 With even a small amount of cultural relativism， aid agencies， donors and developmentprojects could understand the immense significance of Ethiopian forest fires。 Forestfire prevention in developing countries is contingent upon understanding the significance of thisenvironmental protest and the unique symbolic value of fire as a protest tool。
NETL
