Liberia's history with the United States is complicated, surprising and has more than a little to do with racism.
A racism that even tarnishes the Great Emancipator himself: Abraham Lincoln.
Back in the days of slavery, you see, many whites just didn't like seeing free blacks.
Period.
In speeches and debates, Lincoln made clear that he didn't think black and white could live together as equals. Many free African Americans weren't too pleased with their situation, either.
The solution people came up with was colonization — the creation of a new country, far away, for free blacks to call their own. And, they decided to call this new place Liberia — which means land of the free.
For two generations, from 1821, the so-called "American Colonization Society" assisted thousands of African Americans in moving to Liberia.
But, Liberia was not empty of people for America's colonization project.
And sadly, Liberia became home to a new form of exploitation and racism, by the very people who had left America to get away from that kind of thing.
Tensions between the locals and the Americo-Liberians was a big factor in the civil war that wrecked the country after 1989.
That's over now. Today, Liberia is a fairer place. But very poor.
And it still has close ties with America.
Why, they even put Abraham Lincoln on a postage stamp, in 2009.
This video was produced in partnership with Frontline.
At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.
Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever! Every gift will be matched 2:1, so your impact will go even further.