If you’re offended, it probably applies to you.
I can’t talk out loud right now. If I begin to talk, I will yell, and volume only works if you’re among the agitators in the Tea Party.
But right now I am outraged. I am outraged by the ridiculousness of many in the American Media, and I am particularly outraged at a significant chunk of average Americans.
A revolution started in Egypt on January 25th, and you didn’t care because American Idol was on.
People stormed the streets in protest of police brutality, and you didn’t watch it because SportsCenter was on.
While people demanded their right to choose their own government, you were choosing your next hair color.
When people begged to be heard, you put on your headphones and listened to Wakka Flocka Flame.
America, you have disappointed me. You have broken my heart.
You are so far removed from the American Revolution, Women’s Suffrage, the Civil Rights movement, or any other thing that had to be fought for, that you don’t give a damn about anyone else. Many of you don’t even know your own history, and you don’t give a damn about anyone else’s future.
Do you remember the Bosnians? The Sudanese? The Haitians? The Cambodians? The Ugandans? These oppressions occurred in our lifetime.
Even on US soil, did you read about Chinese forced labor building railroads? The Japanese Internment camps? The Trail of Tears and other treacheries against Native Americans? Can you name more than three leaders in the Civil Rights Movement? Hell, can you name your own Governor? Did you even vote?
Americans have taken their freedoms for granted for way too long.
People fought and died for you to vote, to have a say, to have a home, to have a job, to have healthcare, to have all the things that people in other counties consider a dream. People died for you, and you repay them by forgetting them, and forgetting others like them.
America, the world looks up to you. And you spit on them and watch the Superbowl. And that is why you grow angry with the world and the world grows angry with you. Because you, the average citizen, are apathetic, lazy and uninvolved.
What’s even more dangerous than your apathy, is your willingness to believe whatever you are told. Because you will turn to Fox, or CNN or MSNBC, or any station and listen for three minutes, without questioning the facts. You never question whether they are truths or lies. You never question the agenda. You never find out the source of the statistics. You “learn” just enough of what they want you to say, and regurgitate it without any thought.
Glenn Beck watchers: I’m looking at you.
Explain to me how you can swallow hogwash like “They hate our freedom” when you see Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and many others fighting so hard for the same freedoms we take for granted? And folks, since you haven’t been watching, I can tell you, this happened in the past 2 weeks, not past 2 centuries.
Yeah, your founding fathers would be proud.
I would be remiss without applauding the efforts of American reporters who have boldly championed the truth about the Revolution and the Mubarak Regime to the American public.
Rachel Maddow, for example, has been very vocal about the attacks by Mubarak’s thugs on journalists, calling it “a tactic that is being used by one side,” and stating “You do not ransack press offices because you are looking for good public relations…you do it because you want to stay in power.”
Anderson Cooper traveled to Egypt and came face to face with the Mubarak thugs. While he and his team were being harassed and beaten, he STILL RECORDED on his own personal camera. He went into hiding to bring you the truth. He risked his life to educate the world.
Those Americans who still care, who still remember, who value their freedom and seek the truth about others, though a minority today, their vigilance and their voice is noted and appreciated.
But what about the majority?
Are you watching, America?
Marma Mazen posted the story of her detainment on Bloomberg.com. Journalists from Al Jazeera are still in detention, and Egyptian journalist Ahmed Mohammed Mahmoud lost his life. Are you watching?
If it happened in America, would you change the channel?
America, I beg you to wake up.
Put away your issues with Taco Bell, step away from Angry Birds, and get involved. A peaceful country is being slandered, it’s people being tortured, neglected, and abused before your very eyes.
I’ve never met an American that said they didn’t want to go to Egypt.
You know about mummies and pyramids, but you don’t know about the PEOPLE. Egyptians are just like you. They want jobs, they want food, they want to get married, they want to have children, they want a future. And they want it now.
If you’re not eating, Google “Khaled Said” images, and learn about police brutality in Egypt. This is what is happening while you watch Real Housewives.
Don’t listen to the machinations that the mainstream media has conjured. I beg you, learn about Egypt from Egyptians. Develop your own opinions. Don’t take things at face value. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you already know an Egyptian, or care about the situation enough to seek one out. Congratulations, you’re more than halfway there. Now invite a friend to do the same. I’m more than happy to speak to anyone. We all are.
I urge you, STAND UP for Egyptians. I beg you to get involved. Become a part of SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOU.
The alternative is to remain ignorant, reside in your little bubble, and wait for the day to come when you need someone to fight for you, and no one is there.
——
The above article was submitted to mindfulofdreams.com by Neveen Abdalla (neveen.abdalla@gmail.com).
Ahmed Rehab is a civil rights activist, columnist, media commentator, and social entrepreneur. 
When Gandhi wanted attention he protested by doing something the british had to pay attention to. He had all indians stop paying the salt tax and make their own salt. I believe in the protesters cause. I hate the fact that the U.S. government is trading blood for stability. Still, I think the protesters will have to affect something average U.S. citizens care about to get more noticed. It’s funny, to follow twitter you’d think the protesters have won since Ghonim is free. Most Americans will say, “Oh, they released that google guy. Shew! Glad that’s over with.”. My wife is one of them. I’ve been unable to get her the least bit interested or show any outrage at all. It’s just the way it is. Sandmonkey and all those guys, I’m trying to fight with them, but I fear they are about to spike the ball on the 20 yard line. They think Ghonim will be a rallying cry, I think he might be a cause to move to the next story.
Now, have those protesters shut down the suez canal and spike oil prices, and then you’ll have something. In the end, you are right. Americans don’t care about some square in Cairo. In Egypt, they care about oil flowing through the Suez canal and about pyramids (in that order). It’s sad. But it is true.
The only way to be sure that people will care is if you start affecting them in some literal (rather than emotional) way. You haven’t yet. It’s that simple. Spike gas prices and you’ll have attention. Don’t and you won’t.
Spot on!
The Suez canal is what, 140km from Cairo. Gandhi hiked like 386km on his salt march. It’s been 13 DAYS. Have the protesters march to the suez canal and go swimming. Have them take rafts. Boards. Cusions. Anything that will float. Tea party style. Egypt is a sovereign nation. The people are saying the leader of the sovereign nation is illegitimate. Who owns the canal? Mubarak? The U.S.? The world? Who?
If Egypt is sovereign and it’s leader is irrelevant, then the people own the canal. When they claim it the world will care. Or, they could continue sitting in the square. It’s about gonna have to be tomorrow that it’s organized tho. Things will start fading again after tomorrows fever pitch… I’m afraid.
Dude, to get to the Suez you would have to MARCH THROUGH THE DESERT. Not a feasible choice.
Just seems like that has to be answer (at least to me). Was encouraged by reports of 6000 man strike at suez canal. How many protesters have cars. Can they car pool there? May seem rediculous… but would that cause chaos too. Govt. trying to stop cars all over the place to check them in the desert. Take camera crews in cars too.
You may be right tho. It might be a rediculous idea.
I have been glued to El Jazeera, Twitter and as many news sources as possible about events in Egypt. I have received mixed messages from Egyptians when I have offered expressions of support. Some are very happy. But, others are hostile and tell me it’s none of my business and to not interfere. Seems like Americans are in a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation here.
Can you blame them? How can anyone trust Americans after Bush and as the US allowed global economics to be pull out from under everyone in the world? The US propped up Mubarak without even mentioning basic human rights to him! Get out of the USA and then look back on the US! It is a sickening picture! You have nut cases following power and money junkies who call fiction fact. You have one major party that believes that the ends justifies the means based on a “religious rightness” for the love of money while the other major party is too chicken to stand up and fight it. All we can do is hope President Obama’s trust that peace will bring understanding is a real possibility. All we can do is deeply understand that MLK and Ghandi patiently waited for their moments and patiently dealt with problems in the simplest of ways. We can only hope to have The Patience of Egyptians!The fact that some Egyptians were civil to any American speaks of THEIR high character!
Have you ever read “The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley”? It’s really very good.
The book holds a secret for protesters trying to manipulate the U.S. into action…
It’s central argument is that the civil rights movement was won as much through fear of militant islam extremists like Malcolm X as it was by the peaceful resistance of King.
The fear of being exposed and the fear of being shamed is what motivated white MS to begin “acting like they were going along with it.” The thought of a Malcolm X kind of person “rising up” in the ranks of the MS blacks frighten them, yes. But Malcolm X was way up North! Besides, their hands were full with all the “outside agitators” coming in to MS with news of what was happening outside of the state, how even white people looked on the state from the outside, how they could control what was reported and hiding what should never be found out. The burdens in the Southern book of history then and as it is today: sheer meanness, denial, rationalization, self-righteousness, and visions of grandeur. As they still know how to get real folksy and friendly and never tell the truth.
America has broken my heart time and again. I would love to see this piece followed up by a call to action. Tell the average Joe and Jane what they can do to help the struggle for freedom in Egypt.
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This article is overflowing with stereotypes and inflammatory misinformation. It’s the equivalent of U.S. right-wing stereotypes of Muslims and Arabs.
Examples:
1. “Hell, can you name your own Governor? Did you even vote?”
Come on, people know their Governor and other elected officials. When there are competitive choices and high interest elections, voter turnout is quite high. In my state, it was 80% in the last Presidential Election. In 2010, a non-presidential election year, it was 65%. This is just a statement meant to insult.
2. “You don’t give a damn about anyone else.” Really? So, Egyptians are concerned about the whole world? I didn’t observe much reaction from Egypt when Gabrielle Giffords was shot.
3. “People died for you, and you repay them by forgetting them, and forgetting others like them.” Who did Americans forget and when?
4. “Many of you don’t even know your own history, and you don’t give a damn about anyone else’s future.” If this was true, the current obsession with the U.S. Constitution and its framers would not be happening. I disagree we don’t give a damn about anyone else’s future. The myriad charities and government programs (including international ones) evidence that. How about the author? Does she give a damn about the future of Americans? It seems like the author is guilty of exactly that which accuses the U.S. of doing. It definitely seems like the only concern the author has with the U.S. is to stereotype, criticize, and inflame hatred.
5. “Because you, the average citizen, are apathetic, lazy and uninvolved.” This is just wrong. Anyone who has been in this country for the last couple of years and has seen the health care debates, constitutional obsession, heated elections and general political environment would not say that.
6. “America, the world looks up to you. And you spit on them and watch the Superbowl. ” The Superbowl has nothing to do with spitting on other countries. Wow, what a stretch! First, a lot of people don’t like it. I hate it and never watch it. I know plenty of others in the same boat as me. Second, what if a huge soccer game was happening in Egypt and the US had some huge political events? Would Egypt stop the soccer game just for the US? I very much doubt it. And, I very much doubt Americans would consider that as spitting on them.
Does the author even live in the U.S. or has she at least been present in the U.S. for a good amount of time? She should take her own advice about not listening to media machinations, learn about the U.S. and develop her own opinions. Let’s face it; the first priority of the population of any country, including Egypt, is their own internal affairs. But, that does not mean that there are varying degrees of awareness and concern about major world events, as is true in any country.
I know a lot of people who are paying close attention to Egypt, including me. Hell, every chance I get at work, I have been checking news about it, even to the detriment of my work. On the weekends, all I do is keep track of it and I have let everything else has go to Hell.
Again, I, like many in the U.S. are in a clear “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. Anything we do will anger someone. It’s either too much interference or we are not doing enough. Egyptians have personally told me several times it’s none of my business. I know other Americans who also get the message that Egyptians don’t want anything from anybody. You can’t deny that is a definite sentiment that more than a few Egyptians have.
I am a 40 year old father of 2 and have lived in Ohio my entire life. I think the author makes a lot of good points, actually.
Hi Julie, thank you for reading the piece, and for your opinions. They are all valid, and each has been repeated often.
America and Egypt have been strong allies, but Egyptians are not asking for money or help. The money only goes to support a regime that has abused it’s citizens anyway. Egypt only asking for support, hope, and education.
For the record, while I am 100% Egyptian, I was raised in Detroit. I ADORE America. I vote, I volunteer, I call the White House and my Congressmen when I have an opinion or an idea. I did call the White House and demand that military aid be cut to Egypt until the regime is toppled. I voted, it’s my money that pays for the government, it’s my right.
You sound like someone who has been fortunate enough to have a very informed inner circle, but my guess is that you probably know someone who didn’t vote. Or if they did vote, that was the extent of their involvement. You know someone who doesn’t follow local or national news, much less international news. Whether you know them personally or not, these people are around you, and they are many! Example: last week I was in TGI Fridays, and I heard a couple of guys arguing about how many states were in the Union. Julie, they exist, and they walk among us.
Rather than being angry, I am encouraging people to act! Talk to these people! They could be your neighbor, a co-worker, someone at a place you frequent, or a member of one of your local organizations. You have the opportunity to make a difference by inciting an Intellectual Revolution in America. We need it to keep this country strong! We need it so we can remain the emblem of Freedom and HOPE that the world strives to become!
I look forward to a peaceful, relevant dialog. In fact, I am grateful for the opportunity.
Sorry, Julie…clearly, you feel it may not apply to you. But as someone from the outside looking in as a 2nd generation Egyptian American, Neveen is right on the money. Even just an average poll that JAY LENO does at the beginning of his show illustrates that a lot of people, A LOT, don’t know some very fundamental things about this country much less anywhere else in the world.
We have an exclusionist and insular mentality in this country. And truthfully it effects our ability to react and articulate with any substantive clarity on any world issue.
Totally agree.
Ahem…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pedMB8zM2BQ&feature=youtu.be
This is the struggle that Americans deal with…you want our involvement, but then you curse our involvement. Our government is corrupt too, but the world looks at our leaders to speak for us. We are not ignorant, our eyes are on you and all the struggles. I admit we have a group of spoiled citizens waiting on their allotted entitlements, but I feel we are a bright and very compassionate country to all international communities. And having noone come to our rescue, stand up for us or fight for us seems to be the status quo sadly enough, so not much will change regarding your final statement. I pray for your freedom and wisdom once you have achieved that blessing. May God bless you and your countrymen and women.
Now this is just plain dumb… “This is the struggle that Americans deal with…you want our involvement, but then you curse our involvement.”
WE GIVE 1.3b A YEAR TO THEIR DICTATOR.
We are involved and that is what their upset about. We’re FUNDING their dictator. We’re not damed if we do damned if we don’t. We’re damned because we’re doing.
fandango is mad, but right.
We can protest, to cut aid. But I would like to hear the Egyptians call for that with one voice. The Egyptian people should tell the American people what to do to help them.
Show us undeniable majority demanding we cut aid and I have faith, we will. Did we mention we’re listening?
Just keep listening Ellen.
Naveen, so well written and so inspiring.
I have written about 12 responses and erased them, nothing I can say is a worthy response to such a passionate and powerful message. Reading this has made me feel ignorant, guilty and selfish. I thank you for this wake up call. I wish all Americans could read this and feel what I have, we need it.
What happened? My generation was raised by the Americans who fought and lived for freedom, but some how their passion doesn’t seem to live on in us, where is our fire, our voice!?
We have become idle, unaware and embarrassing. The worst part is that we talk about world issues and injustice, how we need to change and once again live by our values, but it seems like everyone waits for someone else to take that stand. This is our problem, it can’t just be one person, its the responsibility of all of us, to stop taking advantage of our freedom and use it!
I hate that I read this message and truly want to help, but I don’t even know where to begin, I wish we could all take a step back from our little bubble and come together to take a stand for the people of egypt and all over the world risking their lives for things we take so disturbingly for granted.
I am deeply sorry we as a country have disappointed you. I wish I knew how to wake my country up, and show them that if we don’t open our eyes now our laziness and ignorance will destroy everything.
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Dear Neveen, thank you so much for writing this article. I am touched by your honesty and frankness. Please know that you are not alone. I too care about what happens in Egypt even if I’ve never been there. My belief is that “You don’t have to be an Egyptian(Sudanese/Iranian/any one who are seeking for freedom) to care, you just have to be a human being.”
In Spirit of Love and Freedom, Monica.
PS. I add your article to my blog. Please let me know if that is permissible. Thank you kindly.
Monica, please send the link to your blog.
Thank you!!’
And I thought I was the sensible one. Thanks for stientg me straight.
Outstanding reminder of why we need to know where our information is sourced.
I have been to Cairo and Alexandria and the people were wonderful and courteous and they loved America. Some writers want us to fear Egyptian freedom as some plot from some crazies, this is not true at all.
People feared talking of politics in the cafe’s and streets but not inside of their homes. This has been a long time coming and I for one will support and encourage Freedom wherever people crave it.. Either in Arizona or in Egypt.
Intense emotions during this historic revolution is understandable. Indicting every American and assuming that none of us are interested, concerned, or active in supporting issues in another country is insulting. A more insightful approach, with your anger focused and directed towards where it is appropriate, would draw more support and empathy and possibly serve as a rallying cry to unite and call for action. I’m afraid that your passionate but defensive article will only alienate and divide.
For the record, I am an American who has been horrified, uplifted, called to act, inspired, saddened, and utterly absorbed by the events in Egypt.
Sophie, the first line of my message is “If you’re offended, it probably applies to you.” Within the story are exceptions for people who are involved, both in their community and internationally. I am addressing, specifically, the people that this does apply to.
This week, I met a man who thought there were 52 states. And I have, throughout my life, met people who believe stereotypes about races or religions without ever having spoken to someone from that group. I tried broaching the discussion peacefully, and I was ignored. Much like when the dead birds fell across the Southwest (and around the world), the response was “It doesn’t affect me, so I don’t care”. And I was tired of being ignored.
So I got angry.
At least, if anyone is reading this, angry or not, they are paying attention.
I am upset because I want America to be a beacon of light to the world, and an emblem of hope. I want Americans to get active once again, and to say “We believe in our freedom, and we believe in yours”. That is all. If I can impact one person to become more than a casual observer of the world around them, then I feel I have succeeded.
For all the others, who will take offense because they will glaze over the exceptions noted, or worse, because they are among the people on the “Jay-walking” part of the Jay Leno show…we can’t change someone who doesn’t want to listen, or someone who refuses the opportunity to learn.
Thank you, sincerely, for taking the time to read and comment. We may not see eye to eye, but open, relevant discussion is half the battle.
This post, though thought-provoking, plays to the “dumb American” stereotype, which I see as outdated and largely untrue. It’s not as if we can only process one bit of information at a time. Shit, I and many others watched American Idol, the Super Bowl and also managed to watch (and question) cable news about the revolution in Egypt.
The Egypt situation is tough because there’s no direct action Americans can take. Our president can’t even do much. This is an Egyptian uprising, that will prevail or falter based on what the Egyptian people decide. I suppose we can “like” the revolution on Facebook, but that’s not stopping one of Murbarrak’s henchmen from putting a foot up someone’s ass. Haiti, Darfur, the Tsunami, etc-etc-etc…Americans stepped up. Again, there’s not much we can do in this instance.
Sidenote: It will be interesting to see how racism is treated in a “new” Egypt. The country is a notorious hotbed for Arab vs Black African racism. I wish them the best in their revolution, but something tells me I wouldn’t be welcomed with open arms in their country. So fight on Egypt, and try not to (continue to) oppress others as was done to you.
Bullshit there’s not much Obama can do. He can stop AIDING the dictator. You are revealing your ignorance even now! My gawd.
Neveen, my full-time job is elections, both domestic and international. I come face to face with thousands of voters during every election in my state. I can tell you that the majority do read their sample ballots and want to be informed before they vote. I have actually had quite a few people tell me during early voting that they will wait to vote on Election Day because they have not yet studied the issues and candidates enough to make decision. Every country on earth, has stupid people and the U.S. and Egype are no exceptions.
Uh Julie?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pedMB8zM2BQ&feature=youtu.be
IMPORTANT: New information came out today that people in the U.S. overwhelmingly support pro-democracy protesters in Egypt.
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/02/08/poll_americans_support_egyptians
Shocker! It’s our idiot leaders that want to keep giving Mubarak / Suleiman / Shafiq 1.3b a year.
And our idiot voters are too stupid to figure it out. Just read your own posts. You can’t seem to understand the fact that WE ARE INVOLVED in Egypt already.
Our “idiot” voters aren’t exactly feeling empowered, are they?
Heh?
why do we have to care? we owe egypt nothing and egypt owes america nothing, why is america supposed to care/get involved? and where does it say it is our responsibility to take a stand about something happening in another country? we have no duty to you nor you to us
We would NOT have to care or get involved if we weren’t giving 1.3b a year to their dictator. This makes us ABSOLUTELY involved.
Don’t you agree?
.
What happens in Egypt affects many other countries in the world, including the U.S. That is why we should care.
Totally agree. Our continued support of a brutal dictator affects many other countries in the world, including the U.S. That is why we should care.
I just saw the following Tweet from a young woman claiming to be a journalist in Egypt: “Getting fed up with US statements about #egypt – both positive & negative. I think US govt needs to shut up and let us go about our business.” I have seen basically the same thing expressed many times by Egyptians.
This is exactly the sort of thing that alienates many from Egyptian current events.
Well now, Julie… How would you feel if another country were giving someone 1.3b a year to someone who is beating you to death in the street? You’d probably want your assailant’s benefactor to “shut up and let you go about your business” wouldn’t you?
.
Now now, fandango… In the interest of the people to the people understanding. I’ve gotta point out that taxes aren’t exactly like giving, more like taking away. We are just the population taxed. And if you think most of the population can even keep track of where there money goes anymore, you’d be wrong.
The people on this stream aren’t actively saying, here evil-dude, have our money! It would be more prudent to compare us to children of an overbearing parent than to call the people on this blog the benefactor. lol, No, we’re not shutting up because we do care.
We just have no blooming collective idea of where to put that care!
Tell us Egypt! Should we protest to stop aid? What are all the possible regional ramifications? Fill us in, in your own words!
We have spent more than seven years trying to beat democracy into the people in Iraq. We’ve spent 30 years supporting an oppressive dictator in Egypt. I am for ending aid to oppressive dictators and for providing an example encouraging change from within (rather than trying to beat the Democracy into sovereign nations).
I’ll try my best to support leaders who demonstrate they feel the same. It’s true that I don’t know where all of my tax dollars go. That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t care. I know that I don’t want them going toward a war in Iraq. I also know that I don’t want them going toward an Oppressive dictator in Egypt.
Personally, I do want my taxes going to universal healthcare, public education, the interstate highway system, and national defense at a minimum.
You are welcome to disagree. It is your right.
As an aside, I agree with our decision to use force in Afghanistan. In this case, force (rather than peaceful protest) was used on us. It’s a shame that our efforts in Afghanistan became overshadowed by our small-minded decision to invade Iraq.
First, let me say thank you for reading the story, and thank you for the dialog. I wrote this after a week of trying to have discussions with people who didn’t even know Egypt was in Africa, and who had a multitude of assumptions and bad information. I tried to be polite (I really did) and no one listened. So I had to raise my voice. I knew it would spark anger in some, but what I wanted was constructive conversations from all.
The article wasn’t just about Egypt, though that is the passion which forced me to write. This week, we Americans saw video of a kid in the States getting attacked and beaten, as a grown woman walked past and let it happen. I’m afraid that’s what we’ve become: casual observers in our own world. And that’s dangerous simply because its viral. If someone stops caring about me, why should I care about the next person?
Julie, your posts are passionate, and in your perspective, you see this as the norm. But I believe that where ever you are, you are among the exceptions. I have lived in 5 states, and have met some of the most intelligent people and been blessed with wonderful, thought provoking discussions. But I have also met people who are uninformed, or who choose to walk away from discussion. Even my former best friend used to ask me why I care about the world. When I asked her to help me feed the homeless, she’d say she was going shoe shopping. When we met mutual friends for coffee and convo, and it turned to world events, she’d suddenly have to go to the bathroom, or get a refill. She, and others like her in my world, have been the norm.
I have been asked: what can we do for Egypt? Learn, educate, question motives. I don’t have all the answers. Maybe the US should cut aid, I don’t know; right now it goes to a man who has 70 billion dollars in assets (he even owns part of Chili’s, maybe consider eating somewhere else?). Yet his people have been told to raise their families on $2 a day or less.
Tweets like the one Julie found are understandable: America has interests in the Middle East and wants to protect them. Though the US can’t directly get involved in the politics of a sovereign nation, their involvement is palpable. Supporting Suleiman is equivalent to supporting Mubarak II (he may be worse), and they are frustrated with this decision. Suleiman has been the CIA henchmen for the US, spurring the following quote from Robert Baer, former CIA officer, “If you want them to be tortured, you send them to Syria. If you want someone to disappear—never to see them again—you send them to Egypt.”
OF COURSE! I want you to care about Egypt! Egypt is, at this moment, having their 1776. There are questions, doubts, concerns, fear, and anger. But there is also hope, joy, awareness, love of country, and love of people. We are watching the birth of a revolution. Its not easy, revolutions never are. But awareness of the whole story is key, and that’s what Egyptians are asking for.
I have received comments that Americans should take care of America first. To them, I say the same thing. Get involved! Educate, volunteer, call your leaders! Hell, we pay for them. We are the boss. But do SOMETHING.
My only goal was to incite conversation, and to get people marching, in their community, and in the world. I believe that spirit of kindness, cooperation, and general goodness is in everyone. But I believe that it only really shines when it affects them. And sometimes, you can’t wait for that to happen. Sometimes, unfortunately, you have to be loud. I’ve gotten compliments and anger, and both are welcome, because it shows me that there are people who are awake out there, and shows me that there are people who are waking up.
Thank you again.
When you wrote “The article wasn’t just about Egypt,…” something clicked in my mind. Together we are watching the world yes, and viral means we are doing it together. We have to stay grounded in our common values enough to avoid loosing our rights. I can’t speak for all Americans, these days to do so seems impossible. Our president is certainly not succeeding. But, I really don’t think the American majority can or wants to wrap their heads around just how wrong things are- but its a small majority.
I wonder where on the world you were the night of his (Obama’s) election? If you were in the states, were you able to hear the cheering in the streets? It was so close to the energy of revolution. If he hadn’t won, I venture it would have been one. It was hope; and so many people on the east coast, to my observation, thought we’d changed the game. Game, a word meant for levity, which fails. The game hasn’t changed. And disillusionment is at an all time high. Even Obama supporters with their fists in the air are popping up in my life, dumbfounded and unwilling to think on it. Now the economy is catching up to us. We’re very distracted and not feeling very empowered or hopeful, I think its fair to say.
You’ll need another method to convince the majority. I re-posted this article because much of it is true- but stereotypes and name calling are not going to make a receptive audience. I know because I tried. Its the fastest way to get ignored- undermine your own argument.
Those Americans I know who are unsure, fearful, (truly apathetic being few) crestfallen, disillusioned, the message of hope had particular impact on. Those who already had created hope for themselves were able to see our big let down coming- and some of those were the first to alert me of the revolution in Egypt. American protesters are frightened to try. Its more trouble than good it will do.. etc. American workers are frightened to offend others and even damage job-security, so they don’t talk. There is a culture of not talking! Its like zippers over mouths.
Fear cannot continue to rule mouths.
Love, on the other hand, is the most powerful tool you have and it happens to be the only one that will work. Love makes you approachable, agreeable. Love is pretty darn hard to fear. Love does not undermine its own argument.
All of these people in my life were moved by love and compassion when they saw and heard of Egyptian peaceful protesters forming human circles of protection around prayers. Interfaith peace and respect was moving because faith is often the area many of us are most frightened to offend. Many have noticed, and more will, that protesters stood to protect Egyptian artifacts- which you know are loved, internationally. Some of us cried when we heard, early on, of protesters surrounding and disarming military, then hugging them.
Are these stories not true?
Should they not be all over the internet?
My sister, my father and my grandmother would be moved by these stories- no matter who they vote. We need more and better photos! Share these stories as well as records of the govn’ts offenses. Share them together- as with the silent march. Don’t make corny movies, make personal accounts, make art, take pictures, make festivals and talk about what you want to do next- because we’re listening for that.
Forget our futile bureaucratic campaigns to win hearts and minds! Their intention is already lost. Your nation has the unique opportunity to show us how its done, to win the hearts of people all over the world- but most importantly, to show peace and love are the most productive qualities of a people.
Please don’t loose steam, because that’s how these positive movements get lost and forgotten. The news organizations will continue on with their distractions and the 1/3 Rule will take 2/3 of the world population back behind the veil if you stop being peaceful, if you stop protesting, if you take the first governmental transition handed to you, or if you let differing beliefs between the people separate you in your stand for freedom.
Then, tell us how we can help the people of Egypt, without harm or fail.
You have the unique opportunity to show everyone how its done. Protest won’t wake up the modern world if it doesn’t stay firmly based on Love- Love of your country and its epic history, Love of freedom and Love of your fellow human being.
We are all family.
Vidya games sure are fun.
Great article, and sad but true on many points. Far too many Americans are ignorant and asleep.
However, you are misinformed of the Tea Party. We are the heirs of the Revolutionaries/Founding Fathers. We do believe in liberty, and we are rising up.
The situation in your country is very troubling, and I pray for you.
The only problem with the Tea Party is all the nut jobs (e.g. Palin). It’ll be interesting to watch how it moves forward. Will it kowtow to the republican party or split the vote. It’s still to fringe for me to support in any way (and a little too much like the muslim brotherhood). I’m a secularist (wd?) you see.
Heir to revolutionaries/founding fathers is going WAY to far by the way. That statement could be made for anyone that stands up for what they believe in (even Democrats!) LOL
If you think the only defining factor of the Founding Fathers was standing up for what they believe in, you are misinformed as well. The Democrats couldn’t be farther removed from them, or reality for that matter.
The Founding Fathers were also agitators, btw.
Travis, I agree with that statement. The founding fathers WERE agitators. As are the revolutionaries of Egypt. I’m familiar with the tea party, but there are extremists (to be fair, on both sides), that do not address the majority of the group. Even you have to acknowledge that.
Amen, Fandango!
Palin?? forget her.
A: Not a Tea-partier or a Libertarian.
B: Lacking the necessary character of a good leader or any international perspective.
You want to see an example of a constitutionalist, look at Ron Paul. http://www.facebook.com/CampaignforLiberty
He’s lead another grass roots campaign for freedom that over the course of the bush administration, was called libertarian. Soon, republicans and democrats started to call themselves libertarians off the books in 2004. Guess which republicans became the new tea party movement?
Libs wanted to audit the feds. Then some new party initiative which associates itself with protest forms and does some unsavory things to get attention. Which it obviously gets, by taking and overtaking the initial charge of the Libs, which had gained popularity during the dark days of Bush- the main reason for unrest. Meanwhile, democrats and moderates all around vote for change and get the administration that supports the feds … well, let’s just say its not all that cut and dry. Its a manipulated mess that only the truths in life can cut through.
I like bits and pieces of Ron Paul’s sentiment but his call to move back to the gold standard means I must label him a kook.
Sry bout that Mr. Paul.
I think Libertarians are rather kooky as well. I agree that they have become irrelevant with the rise of the tea party. You never hear anything about Libertarians anymore.
I’m not an american, but I want to help. I am in Mexico and don’t know what to do. I’ve been reading about the troubles in Egipt and wonder what can we do to help you? I just wish people in my country would be as brave as you. Please, I’m here and I want to help. Just let me know. In the meantime, I’ll pass this to all of my american friends.
My heart is with you and your people.
Neveen,
How much is the FSB paying you to say this ?
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Proud of the Egyptians but Anderson Cooper cares? Really? Made me laugh (a sad laughter). We seriously need to learn to differentiate between people. May Allah (swt) guide our judgments.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/feb/11/mubaraks-resignation-celebrated-downtown-san-diego/
I’m a Norwegian libertarian, a newsjunkie, and fairly engaged in politics and international events. Like you I ofthen find myself frustrated by peoples lack of interest and involvement, and like you I have been dissapointed by the handling of the recent uprising in Egypt. I was likewise frustrated by the similar fumbling in response to the Iranian green movement some time ago.
I should therefore be quite receptive to your complaints of the lack of interest and involvement on the part of your fellow citizens. Nevertheless you manage to alienate me already in your opening paragraph.
“If you’re offended, it probably applies to you.
I can’t talk out loud right now. If I begin to talk, I will yell, and volume only works if you’re among the agitators in the Tea Party.”
I’m not in the tea party, because I’m norwegian, but I’m sympathetic to it and would have been a member had I been an American. So already I have taken up position in the age old trenches of political discourse. Accusations of mindlessness on the part of my side of the political spectrum are as common as they are tedious, especially in america, and I have a wide array of prefabricated refutations. These days I usually respond by pointing out that it was the left, not the right, which in the recent election cycle abandoned all pretense of actually arguing for their policies, opting instead to run a national campaign of character assasinations and demonization of political opponents. The hysterical accusations of racism especially struck me as a case of volume over content.
My point is that with a single paragraph, entirely unrelated to the thrust of your argument, you have relegated yourself in my mind to the ranks of people whos opinion I do not much care for; the dishonest political partisans of the left, and the unthinking numbnuts who mindlessly repeat their drivel. If I was as unconcerned with foreign policy as the audience your post is addressing supposedly are, this would have been enough to sink your entire argument. I would have considered the entire rant a politicized attack and concerned myself only with parrying the accusations.
Other than that I am curious to know what other international issues you are following. An egyptian complaining about people being too self involved due to a lack of concern for egypt, might easily be accused of hypocricy. What are the top 5 things you would like to see done with reguards to North Korea for instance, or any other point of interest?
I should add that I did read the full content of your message, and agree in many respects. That didn’t come across well enough in my original post. You might want to avoid singling out groups of people though, unless they are really exceptionally culpable. Complaining about americans in particular seems unwaranted to me given the number of unconcerned people here in Norway and elsewhere.
I understand your anger. Many Americans who are and have been active in social justice share your outrage.
However, anger’s great for waking us up but then we need to set aside anger and focus on education and action. All over America, there are people devoted to making the world a better place whether it’s working on behalf of social justice, marching in the streets, or quietly caring for the disabled, those suffering from chronic illnesses, and special needs children. Working together, we can each find a way to make a small difference.
Ms. Abdala, ma’am, I don’t mean any disrespect, but you are not describing everyone in the US like you say you are. I am a kid. I am telling you this now: we will change the world. Do you think kids like violence? Do you think they like learning about how other countries are being torn apart? No, they don’t. Do you think they like seeing riots and wars and worse? We will stop this. And by we, I mean the next generation. We will stop it, because this generation isn’t. I’m not saying world peace, but more peace. World peace is an impossible goal, but more peace is not. I mean no disrespect at al ma’am, and thank you for your time.
-Perspective of a 12year old girl