That said, I am so interested in what is happening in Egypt and the surrounding area. Rebellions, demonstrations and protests ALWAYS interest me. I just love when people recognize the power they have within their governments even when the government doesn't acknowledge the power. The fact this is all happening in the Middle East only makes it all the more thrilling.
But not all America shares my sentiment. This evening I was listen to NPR and the question that was put out to listeners was "How are you worried this will effect America?" How cliche American. How frustratingly cliche American. Will there ever be a single global event that happens without America being concerned solely with how that event might impact the stock market or trade or oil? I am doubtful. Maybe every country does this. But I would hope not. I would hope there would be some country out there that cared more about humanity's rights to freedom, liberty and safety. Maybe I'm too naive.
I took a class in college entitles "Faith and Society." It was in my top 10 favorites. We watched a movie in that class about a revolution that took place in Eastern Europe (I want to say Serbia but I'm probably wrong.) The revolution was non-violent in nature and totally, radically changed the future of the country and area. It was also mainly college age students who led it. I was completely blown away watching it. I was in awe and inspired. I wish I could find my notes to see if I wrote the names down, I will have to look for it. But when I see protests like these happening in the Middle East I am reminded of that video. Of what they could be. If there was anything I could wish protests would be more, it is non-violent. When chaos and rioting leads to death and injury, no one wins. All it shows those you are wanting to prove something to is that you are disorganized and desperate. But if, instead, you came together as a single unit. A strong unmovable force that uses international tactics and internal connections to slowly tear away at the foundations of a regime. To me, it seems so much more powerful. But then again, I'm a middle-class 20-something white American. What do I know?
Just my thoughts. Pax in terra Aegypti.
Both of us wrote about Egypt on the same day? Cool.
ReplyDeletei typed 4 different comments
ReplyDeletedeleted them all
i think you were more aggravated than contemplative when u wrote this
@splenda I noticed that after I wrote mine. Yours is much more creative though.
ReplyDelete@Pete you should have posted them all. I wasn't aggravated at all actually. I'm sorry it came across that way.
Thanks Vienna.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to show some of the absurdities on the Egyptian and American end, so I thought that humor writing would do that best.
I'm actually thinking about submitting that piece to the New Yorker's Shouts & Murmurs section, just for laughs.
I see that you also wanted to show some of the absurdities. But a main gripe of yours, it seems, is with America's worry over power and money. How will currency or markets be affected? How will the global balance of power be recast? While it may seem callous, these are important questions that America needs to preeemptively respond to.
Also, it is NPR, after all.
Additionally, I, like you, would love for every protest to be non-violent. But I don't think that's always possible. I think that active and borderline violent dissent is sometimes needed. I'm not entirely sure if it was in Egypt. But maybe it was.
One thing is certain, the mob-led protests in Egypt aren't totally dysfunctional.
But I'm gassing too much. Good inquisitive thoughts.