Intergenerational Social Conscience in Contemporary Amharic Poems Recited on YouTube by Getnet Enyew

Abstract

This paper examined the conception of intergenerational social conscience in contemporary Amharic poems recited on YouTube by Getnet Enyew. Through the lens of ethical theory and critical discourse analysis, it has explored how the moral values of peaceful coexistence, ethno-political conscience, and conscience in the intergenerational relationships are constructed in the poems. Thus, extracts from the poetic texts were carefully selected and analyzed qualitatively.  Accordingly, given the long-standing exchange of cultural experiences, history, shared blood relatives, and national resources across generations, the study has found that the present generation could not maintain an inclusive ethos, unity, interdependence, and peaceful co-existence. There is an intergenerational chasm. Also, ethnic divisions, ethnic-based political practice, groupthink, and abuse of power have deeply beset the mindset of generations in the country, exacerbating the practice of evil, stirring up conflict, and aggravating violence and recurrent loss of lives. Ethnic based politics, ethnicity, and propagated hatred have been negative forces that severely try the social fabric that has been instrumental in keeping the intercultural relationship among different communities in the country. For these reasons, the intergenerational social conscience is unresponsive and dictated by ethnic biases, groupthink, and ethno-political manipulation.