A House with Two Rooms - The Advocates for Human Rights

country through no fault of his own on going back and wanting to help his
country and also taking a spouse and children who may be of different race;
there should be no question about their ability to contribute to Liberia and
be a part of the nation. 621
Apart from feeling entitled to dual citizenship, many diaspora Liberians feel that they have something
to contribute to Liberia after having been abroad and having gained new education and experiences
that would aid Liberia’s rebuilding. “There is an economic argument to be made that what you do
with dual citizenship is that you are benefiting from both sides. If our kids are prohibited from having
dual citizenship then they will not forgo the United States for Liberia. So the benefits that would have
been accrued to them will not happen, they will not want to take their business to Liberia and/or to
go back to Liberia, this is the economic argument.” 622 Another Liberian living in the United Kingdom
noted that “I want to go back to Liberia at some point, so you are going to tell me that because I have
British citizenship you aren’t going to let me come there and work with the skills that I have. I think
I owe a debt to my country and I want the opportunity to go and pay back at some point. Because I
have British citizenship or American citizenship I can’t do certain things? Many of us have argued
that point. Hopefully I think the government should realize it.” 623
Some statement givers are clear that they do not want to return to Liberia under any conditions. 624
Others report a wish to be able to return to the country for a limited period to attend to the burial of
loved ones, 625 attend life cycle events, visit family, or take care of property, but do not see themselves
as returning permanently. 626 Several older Liberians expressed a general wish to “go home and be
in peace.” 627 Many others say they consider returning to Liberia, but only under certain conditions.
These conditions range from a requirement that there be “less corruption and a better mentality in
Liberia” 628 or an opportunity for someone who has completed his education to be able to “help the
Liberian people,” 629 to being able to “lead a normal life,” 630 have sufficient funds to live and travel, 631
and “live like an American does.” 632
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Chapter Thirteen