I wrote this 2 weeks ago before all the current disturbing
events. Please read with an open mind and heart…
I am so furious I can’t sleep
For a while now I have been seriously thinking of leaving
Egypt for good. It’s almost like over the years I have been slowly expelled by
the country. Extruded. And I continue to consider it. Why? Because I am
constantly having difficulty living here… more so recently.
Until the revolution, there was no hope in change. We had
accepted our inevitable status quo. The trick was adaptation. We lived with the
situation, and made the best out of it. We created our glorious bubbles with
the kind of life we believed to be satisfactory. We grouped and huddled with
like-minded people to sustain and live with shared common sense and principles.
A pseudo quality of life, a consequence of alienation by the general common sense
of the masses and the obscene corruption and injustice of the government and
subsequent authorities. A life where every one of us partakes in bribery and
corruption, either by participation or tolerance. We lived selfishly to
survive. We took from Egypt what we deemed part of our rights, and we gave very
little back. You may disagree and claim you did give back. That maybe true for
a minority, but a deluded misconception for the majority. We watched the
country sink before our eyes, yet “kept calm, and carried on”.
The revolution happened.
It may have been a
huge cascade of events orchestrated by some superior human powers. It may have been a genuine and spontaneous uprising
by Egyptians. It may have been a mix of both… The fact is, it did happen. The
conclusion, change IS possible.
We continue to live in our bubbles. We couldn’t be farther
from the goals of “our” revolution. However we still go on with our “business
as usual”, and often sit and complain to vent our frustration (Again, there are
exceptions that I acknowledge). We are inclined to do that after all, after
long training by the toppled regime.
But if the decades-long status quo of steel has proven
breakable, then anything is game now!
I cannot stand by and watch another farce unfold and a new
age of tyranny drain the country’s blood.
Our country. I am not
specifically referring to a group, movement or sector of the government. I’m
referring to whomever or whatever is in control.
Do you believe anything you hear or read in Egypt? Do you
trust any politician or figure of authority? Do you really believe any of them
puts the well being of Egypt (thereby you and I) as their sole priority? I
don’t! Everywhere I look or listen, I find blatant deception. None of them is
watching my back, but I don’t want to remain in my subsequent bubble. I want
them to do their job, and I want to approve of it. In return, I will fulfill my duties and work
on being less selfish.
I want so many things to make my life better.
I want to have my rights and freedom, while maintaining my
dignity. I don’t want to be frequently frustrated. I don’t want to see catastrophes of
negligence and incompetence going unpunished and dealt with obscurely. I want
to drive to work and back without cursing the streets, drivers and traffic
authorities. I want to earn what my diligence deserves. I want peace and quiet
at home. I don’t want the “bawabeen” and their clans ruling the streets. I want
people to have better manners. Oh don’t get me started on manners everywhere.
Sincere mutual respect has been replaced by opportunism, materialism and
blatancy.
But hey, I’m a successful professional living in a bubble
with relatively high standards set for the quality of life I seek. What about
the average Egyptian. The one I arrogantly referred to earlier as the masses,
while he’s actually my fellow if not my brother.
Well, his needs are slightly more pressing than mine. Lets
see…
How about a job? – “A lot have jobs but they perform
badly”. Ok, Humane and safe modes of
transport then? Yes! Clean drinking water? A sewage system that doesn’t involve
his street? Basic education? Healthcare? (laugh). A police force to turn to for
safety and assistance. A judiciary system to redeem rights in less than a
lifetime of trials, if at all. I could go on for pages. Basically he wants all
that his government promised in the “Government-Citizen” contract, and his
God-given dignity and respect. Right now he has NOTHING but fleeting moments of
happiness that he must create for himself… or rely on substance abuse for it.
It may seem naïve, but we can all have what we
deserve/need/want . We have the natural
resources, manpower, experts, location, and love… since every Egyptian claims
to “love” Egypt!
Now, we direly need:
1)
Truth
2)
Justice
3)
Law and Order
and when I say Truth, I mean True and
fearless leaders, True professional media, True transparency of government. The
idea of the leader that “knows best” is prehistorically obsolete now. Educate
the people THEN let them make their own decisions.
The fact that not ONE man/woman (to
my knowledge) involved with the previous regime has come forward with the Truth
of what went on behind closed doors is shameful. So much fear still exists,
together with complete disregard for the greater good. The fear and silence
remain with terrorism. Terrorism thrives without law and order. In the lack of Truth, Justice can never
prevail. It’s a vicious cycle, but it is
unnatural. Hence, it can be broken.
I am furious, but I am also hopeful. I call for anyone else
who shares my sentiments. I don’t know what we should or can do, but for God’s
sake let’s do something! Let’s think together, brain storm, plan, and work on how
to break that damn cycle TOGETHER.
With common goals, genuine and passionate intentions, bravery
and effort…. ANYTHING is possible.
God be with us. God bless Egypt
