Before there was Obama there was Haile Selassie: Why Haile Selassie is my political icon!

Every politician has a political hero; someone that inspires them in their ideals and their work. For Obama it was Abraham Lincoln; Boris Johnson sings the praises of Winston Churchill and many radicals speak fondly of Che Guevara; my political hero is Haile Selassie.

Haile Selassie is a controversial figure; hailed as a deity by some and disregarded as a dictator and feudal monarch by other's. Haile Selassie nearly 40 years after his death still inspires heated discussions across the internet and is a permanent fixture in global pop culture with pop icons such as The Weekend, Lupe Fiasco, Bob Marley and other's all paying homage to the life and works of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I.

Many would ask how an Ethiopian monarch would come to be the political hero of a Londoner? Whilst some would be aware of the religious and spiritual connotations that surround Haile Selassie in the Rastafari tradition but many would not be so aware of the politics of Haile Selassie and his contribution to global politics in the 20th century that inspired me to want to be involved in politics.

Before there was Obama there was Haile Selassie. In 1930 at his Coronation he was the most recognised African face in the world. Descended from an ancient dynasty shrouded in mystery Haile Selassie's presence on the world scene would transform global politics and inspire a wave of transformative events that shaped the modern world.

Haile Selassie was born Tafari Makonen the son of a low ranking aristocrat Ras Makonnen and his wife Yeshimabeth in the Ethiopian city of Harare. At the age of 2 Tafari lost his mother in child birth and at age 13 his father Ras Makonnen died. An orphan at 13 Tafari was summoned to the royal court where he would be tutored by the royal family. Whilst at the royal court he would learn about the politics of the day and observe the men of big affairs.

Tafari was distant from the throne and it was not considered that Tafari would ever become Emperor. Tafari was a small youth; he did not display any of the warrior characteristics of the traditional Ethiopian ruler and his disposition was more that of a theologian and priest than warrior.

 Though Tafari was favoured for his intellect and thought by many to be the future of Ethiopia it was his bigger, but younger cousin that displayed the warrior tendencies that former Ethiopian monarchs had embodied and was considered the natural successor to the ruling Emperor Menelik I.

At the death of the Emperor Lij Yassu Tafari's younger cousin became the defacto leader however his womanising, drunkenness and misguided political diplomacy threatened to destablise Ethiopia. At the behest of the Church Tafari was asked to gather an army to dethrone the yet crowned Yassu from the throne and install a new monarch. In 1916 Yassu was overthrown by the armies of Tafari and the Church and Tafari was made regent and Empress Zauditu was crowned as ruler of Ethiopia. From 1916 to 1930 Tafari served as the second in command to Empress Zauditu and was given the title Ras which inspired the Ras Tafari movement.

As the regent Tafari built the first modern secondary school the Tafari Makonnen School. He lobbied to end slavery; built hospitals and inspired his wife to build girls schools which had previously been a taboo. On one of his trips to Jerusalem Tafari adopted 40 Armenian orphans whose parents had died in war. The orphans were given residence at the palace and taught music; they would eventually become the royal band. Whilst regent Tafari travelled to Europe where he was inspired by the statecraft, technology and modernisation of Europe and vowed to bring Ethiopia into the modern world. He also negotiated Ethiopia's membership in the League of Nations. Many Ethiopians had exceptions to the modern ideas of Tafari; the Church was afraid that he would introduce secular knowledge from Europe; the aristocracy were afraid that he would curtail their power; and government officials feared the introduction of transparency and accountability, nevertheless...

In 1930 after the death of Empress Zauditu Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I on Nov 2nd. It was a lavish affair with dignitary's from all over the world in attendance. It was perhaps the most significant event in 20th century African history. The coronation was covered by the international media and Haile Selassie instantly became an internationally acclaimed figure; the first African to make the front cover of Time magazine where he was depicted with the title "King of King's". Before there was Obama there was Haile Selassie...

In 1930 the African world was mired in colonialism. On his coronation Haile Selassie became the voice and champion of all Africa and African people across the globe as the head of the only free African state. In the midst of a continent wallowing in colonialism Haile Selassie was a light in a sea of darkness that shone for the whole world to see.

In 1935 not long into his reign Ethiopia was attacked by Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Unable to defend themselves against a modern European power Ethiopia was briefly defeated; Haile Selassie sought support of the international community and visited Geneva to deliver a damning anti-fascist speech that has become historic; calling upon the League of Nations to defend their treaty and ideals of collective security. Haile Selassie was booed and most of the nations voted to acknowledge Italy as the rulers of Ethiopia. The speech delivered at the League would be prophetic as Selassie told the audience that "today it us tomorrow it will be you" warning against the rise of fascism in Europe. On delivering the appeal to no avail Haile Selassie was forced into exile in Britain where he stayed firstly in Wimbledon in London and then settling in Bath. After 5 years in Britain with the support of the British army Haile Selassie returned to Ethiopia in 1941 victorious after British and Ethiopian troops reclaimed Ethiopia.

Haile Selassie would preside over Ethiopia for many years introducing a written constitution, abolishing the legal basis for slavery, leading Ethiopia into the UN and attempting to introduce a progressive taxation system. He also restricted legal privileges of the clergy; introduced new land taxes for landowners and challenged traditional church education implementing a modern, secular education system. During his reign Haile Selassie created a civil society and gave birth to an Ethiopian middle class introducing social mobility into a once rigid class system; Haile Selassie was the first African leader to have a women in government.

Haile Selassie in the latter part of his career became a global statesman delivering his classic address to the UN that became the lyrics of Bob Marley's song "War" in 1963. A speech that is possibly one of the most shared speeches in facebook history whose sentiments still ring true today. In 1963 he also convened the founding conference of the Organisation of African Unity in his capital city Addis Ababa in the purpose built Africa Hall where he was dubbed "father of modern Africa" and made the first chair. It was Haile Selassie that gave Nelson Mandela refuge when pursued by the South African government making him an Ethiopian citizen and providing military training to fight apartheid. In 1954 Selassie was recognised by

the British monarchy and given the Order of the Garter, the highest British order, by Queen Elizabeth II. In the US he was acclaimed by JFK as one of his political hero's whose place was assured in history. In 1965 Haile Selassie was recognised by his faith and given the title "Defender of the faith" by the Oriental Eastern Orthodox Churches, the highest title ever bestowed by the Church. 

Haile Selassie has inspired my politics; Haile Selassie was not a militant; a revolutionary or race nationalist but a liberal reformer. A political liberal who drew inspiration from Frederic the Great of Prussia who was referred to as the "Liberal King". Selassie was a vocal champion of internationalism, human rights, collective security and nuclear disarmament; classic liberal values. He championed nature and animal rights long before it was fashionable. In Haile Selassie we find one of, if not the first anti-fascism and anti-racism global advocates. In Haile Selassie I find inspiration for a civil society led liberal politics a politics that combines the kindness of a Christian heart, the pragmatism of a political leader and the idealism of a global statesman. Before there was Obama there was Haile Selassie...