In the wake of Mubarak‘s unprecedented resignation as President – Read: Dictator – I found myself trawling through the comments on various sites – Yes, even “that” one – when I came across a comment that went something like this:
“This’ll be bigger than the tearing down of the Berlin Wall”
This short thought was quickly lost in a sea of euphoric and cynical comments, but it sparked an interesting train of thought in my head. Is this one of those moments? One of those turning points where the history of the world irrevocably changes? My mind strains under the idea that I have just witnessed such an event unfold.
What’s more extraordinary is that this incident was almost entirely peaceful! Few great changes have ever occurred mostly though honest and peaceful methods. The American Civil Rights Movement, the Indian Independence Movement and, as the blogger above said, the actual tearing down of the Berlin Wall by a people yearning for freedom come to mind.
Whether or not this is “bigger” than the destruction of the hateful wall, it’s still important. An amazing and unique event that belongs solely to the Egyptian people. Freedom is not earned, it is asserted and the Egyptian people have been asserting theirs for the last eighteen days. Even after 30 years years of oppressive rule. Even after 30 years of abuse their will remains strong and grows stronger with each passing day.
Christopher Hitchens once said that as a child of the 60s he feels sorry for the youth of today, as they have no causes to believe in and to fight for. Well, Christopher, don’t feel bad. The youth of Egypt just proved you wrong.
Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood.
Gotta admit I hate the name Muslim Brotherhood. What about the Sistas?
Fortunately the fearmongering on the right does not reflect the truth. The MB is hardly as powerful and radical as they want you to believe.
15% of Egyptians support the MB and less 12% want Islamic law.
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/ss_egypt0137_02_11.asp
My favorite part is how the Christian Jihadists in this country said it could not be done. That Arabs and Muslims could not resolve even their internal differences without leading to an unmitigated slaughter. I have confidence the critics of other cultures will find out that Egyptian people will end up with a democracy. Now we’ve seen that democracy comes in many flavors as well. Our democracy, Russia’s democracy and France’s version of democracy are quite different as will be Egypt’s. Ironically most of those differences have less to do with the democratic systems they use and more to do with their economic priorities and level of economic prosperity.
This is so big, and extraordinary to look upon and try to take in. I hope that a day comes when all oppressive forms of rulerships, churches, monarchies, dictatorships, presidencies-for-life, etc., come to an end; people take back the power, and choose only the wisest and most honorable to assume leadership roles. The Mandelas, the George Washingtons, the Gorbachevs of this world.
Two down… one to go
The WH and Gibbs mentioning Iran, too… Gibbs “They are very nervous.”
I’m awestruck right now. I’m having a hard time formulating my thoughts.
I DO think this is a major, major event, one which will change the ME…how it will turn out, remains to be seen…but it is a BIG event no doubt about it.
Maddow was making this point for basically the entire revolution… I sincerely hope that they are vigilant and somehow get passed the international influence that will come quickly, changing their old chains for the debt whip is no way for this to end!
I am 23, and would go protest if there was a clearly defined spark… for now though I am sending emails to my rep and senators and will attend a “congress at your grocery” tomorrow if that lazy jack ass puts the place on his website!
Excellent post Caru, thank you. i do believe we are witnessing one of the most significant events of our lifetimes. The repercussions will be tremendous, as this can only accelerate the thirst for freedom for all the world’s oppressed people, and for those in the Middle East in particular.
I am a child of the 60s and have had the same feelings as Chris Hitchens, not only a sadness for what the youth are missing, but a frustration with them as well. Perhaps the youth of Egypt will set a example of what can happen via a non-violent revolution. Both Ghandi and Martin Luther King must be smiling today.
I heard a caller on NPR express a sorrow for the people of Iraq, that they were denied the feelings that the citizens of Egypt must be feeling today. I have no doubt that this would have eventually been the way a regime change would have taken place there, one that the people started and would be proud of. As it is they have a pseudo-democracy that was forced down their throats and killed perhaps hundreds of thousands of their fellow citizens. I weep for them as I jump for joy for the People of Egypt.
I suspect it was more about them having more oil than Egypt. I doubt we would have stood back and let it play out if Egypt was a major oil producer. We never let a good revolution go to waste without trying to control it and then step back and claim it was the people’s choice.
jdmn17. a good, albeit sad, point.