What I am witnessing in Egypt will most likely be the largest demonstration against a political ideology in my lifetime. Rich and poor, doctors and teachers, men and women, Christians and Muslim, the people of Egypt have united together to end the regime of Mubarak. This isn't just about dethroning the president and sending him into exile; it's a stand for equality. It could very well be as big as the Womens' Rights and Black movements so infamous in American history. Symbols and voices of hope have not yet emerged from Egypt which commonly accompany massive geopolitical shifts either, but I hope the lack of one does not hinder the chances of change.
And we're seeing such change crossing the Arab states. Tunisian leaders have left for exile and news feeds suggest Yemen would be the next state where the government could be toppled by the people. It's a grassroots movement, a revolt against the tyranny. The British of the 16th century would never have dreamed of such an attack on its monarchs.
It takes circumstances like this for Westerners to fully appreciate democracy. Although highly justified, we as Canadians, Americans, and Europeans often criticize our governments for the messes they have created with rhetoric and red-tape, but then we see countries like Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen where the people live in the shadow of one iron-fist ruler and only dream of "terrible" democratic governments. It showed me that even in a system devoid of liberties and rights, a fear many Americans have voiced concerns about to their own government, the power of change truly does rest on the shoulder's of its citizens.
What we have in Canada are freedoms that we have become accustomed to. It's the same freedom that so many billions of people envy all around - silently because of restrictions on speech, silently because they know no other way, silently because they believe they are alone on the front. But these events in the Arab world have shined a light onto a hidden matter and it is us living in the Western world that must collectively embrace our own governments while supporting those who want the same basic rights we take for granted every day. What good can arguing against democracy and its ideals do for the estimated three hundred that have already died and hundreds more to follow?
The steps that the Egyptians have taken is a giant leap forward for mankind. It is unfortunate that it has become so violent, but for those that sacrifice their lives for such a noble cause, millions will one day be grateful.
No comments:
Post a Comment