Reuben over at the Jewamongyou blog uncovers a thing not previously known to me about the nation of Liberia.

Liberia’s current Constitution, which has been in force since 1986, includes a chapter, Chapter IV, on citizenship.  That chapter includes two Articles, numbered 27 and 28.  Article 27 contains three clauses.  Here is the second one:

b) In order to preserve, foster and maintain the positive Liberian culture, values and character, only persons who are Negroes or of Negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens of Liberia.

As Reuben points out: “Not only is there no outrage at its negro-only policy, but the U.S. actively aids Liberia, nurtures it and grants it preferential treatment.” 

And as he also points out, the aid is all embezzled away into Swiss bank accounts in the usual African style, leaving Liberia as poor as ever: she ranks number 224 out of 228 nations worldwide in the CIA World Factbook.  Only Somalia, Burundi, Zimbabwe, and DR Congo (formerly Zaïre) are poorer. (I don’t think the Factbook has a number for Kosovo.)

In a proper spirit of multicultural zeal, Reuben has created a petition at the White House petitions website, demanding that the U.S. government cease foreign aid to Liberia, and cut off foreign relations with it, until it gets rid of its “negro-only” policy.  You can sign the petition here.

(At least you can in theory.  When I tried to register for a signing, I was told I’d get an authorizing email “in a few minutes.”  That was 24 hours ago; still no e-mail . . .  Wait a minute, who’s this pulling in to my driveway? . . . Government plates . . . two guys in suits getting out . . .   . . .)