One of my favorite Liberians is a guy I will call Mike. We have fun text message conversations. Sending text messages here costs 5 US cents. In a country where most people live on less than $1/day, texts among Liberians are used only to convey vital information. The fact that I have non-essential conversations via text with Mike shows that either he is upperclass (which he might be, I’m not positive) or that he just values this kind of correspondence. Every Sunday he sends me Biblical quotes by text, and then some type of inspirational, uplifting message. And yesterday we had the following conversation by text:

Mike: Hi Shelby, here is a simple test 4 u: Do not read this message!! U’ll get a ‘D’ grade if text is read. Just a joke-good evening.
Mike: Do u support capital punishment? Or is it moral to take away someone’s life for a crime committed because the law says so?
Shelby: I do not support capital punishment. Humans should not play god. Also because taking someone’s life leaves no room for redemption. What do you think?
Mike: From mother nature’s point of view, nobody has the right to take away life regardless of the condition. Capital punishment disobeys the natural laws.
Mike: I do not support CP. Pls help answer this Q: what is the BEST thing for MANKIND to do since everything mankind does is questionable?

(At this point, there was a break in the conversation because I was in a meeting.)

Mike: Do u have an answer to my last question?

I didn’t.