On race, citizenship, and property in Liberia: a sociologist's point of view

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Periodical article

Title:	On race, citizenship, and property in Liberia: a sociologist's point of view
Author:	Kollehlon, Konia T.
Year:	2012
Periodical:	Liberian Studies Journal (ISSN 0024-1989)
Volume:	37
Issue:	1
Pages:	33-58
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Liberia
Subjects:	racism constitutions real property citizenship development
Abstract:	In this paper, the author focuses on a particular aspect of Liberia's nonmaterial culture which he considers necessary for improvement, namely the norm (law/constitutional provision) regarding the relationship between race, citizenship, and the ownership of real property in Liberia. He proposes that the constitutional provision which states that only Negroes or people of Negro descent shall become citizens of Liberia, and that only citizens can own real property, be revisited and repealed. This constitutional provision is, according to the author, inconsistent with the modern view and practice of citizenship today, and may impede the economic development of the country, and indeed may be close to the point of racism. In order to elaborate on this matter, the author also discusses what the terms race, citizenship and Liberian culture mean as they have important bearings on this constitutional provision. He further explains why this racially exclusionary policy should be abolished so that Liberia can move on to rebuild and continue on its path to modernization. Bibliogr., ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]