The following is an open response by Emir Ramić regarding American journalist Abigail Velez, who embarrassed herself with her profound ignorance and demonstrated extreme unprofessionalism during a live broadcast on ABC7 Los Angeles, making the shameful remark: “I don’t even know how to point to Bosnia and Herzegovina on a map.”
You are free only if your conscience is clear. That is why the secret to freedom lies in courage. You are not free, your conscience is not clear, and you are not brave—you are a coward.
It would be enough for you to learn about the stećak and the Bosnian lily, inseparable symbols of the thousand-year continuity, survival, and spiritual elevation of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These symbols bind Bosnia’s rich history with the contemporary struggle to preserve truth and statehood.
The stećak, a monumental medieval tombstone, is a symbol of strength, roots, and eternity. It is a permanent reminder of Bosnia’s authentic civilizational heritage, which withstands all historical challenges and denials.
The lily, a historical symbol of Bosnian statehood, which dates back to the medieval Kotromanić dynasty, carries a profound sense of pride, identity, and defense against fascism.
The identity of Bosnia and Herzegovina rests upon tradition, culture, and an anti-fascist heritage that cannot be erased by your ignorance or your intentional humiliation of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a peer competitor on the international sports stage. Our “Dragons” did not come to beg for anyone’s mercy. They came to demonstrate their skill, character, and sporting dignity. This is the ultimate victory of a generation that survived war, genocide, exile, and humiliation. It is enough for you to learn this.
All for Bosnia and Herzegovina—a country that concerns us all!
