"A wave of genocidal massacres has swept Metekel in the Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia, creating a humanitarian catastrophe that has left hundreds of thousands displaced, thousands killed and injured and many more left destitute with their homes and livelihoods burned to ashes."   -  Sara Kifle, Harvard Political Review - April 19, 2021. Engage with students and alumni of Merrill College's Focus on Africa series in exploring the root causes and impacts (economic, public health, societal, etc.) of ongoing conflict in Ethiopia.The seminar is being presented in an effort to provide much needed background to North American audiences wishing to gain a better understanding of the current situation.Participants will discuss the grossly imbalanced - and often racist - approach of U.S. based news media in providing in-depth coverage to stories emanating from Africa.  Content experts and distinguished guests will compare and contrast the tenor, tone and frequency of stories from Ethiopia with those focused upon Europe and the crisis in Ukraine.