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One,

ARISTYLES

Learning from Egypt

Now the story of a corrupt ruler that robs and oppresses his own people and then gets ousted by the people in an epic struggle for freedom is nothing new. We’ve actually seen, heard, and read this kind of narrative in history books, movies, and so on. Some of us may have even been or are a part of these kinds of struggles. What has been inspiring for me from watching the people of Egypt get rid of a dictator is not so much the story mentioned above but the power of a united people.

While some media reports may describe Mubarak’s overthrow as a result of an 18-day-long protest, what really was happening was the result of not only oppression and worsening living conditions but also many years of organizing and educating of the people. Everyday people. We’re talking working class, poor, “I just want to feed my children”, people. As simple as that… Nothing extra-ordinary or romanticized. No magical savior or so called “chosen-one”.

From watching the live footage to videos on my network feeds, what was truly inspiring was the unison in which people acted to pursue something as simple as just wanting to live. Something that should be so easily attainable but is not because of the manipulation and abuse of the greedy few in power. The Egyptian people spoke a language who’s message was so simple and so easily understood that no dehumanizing military training could cause them to ignore the people’s cry. In fact, it caused them to question and even recognize their role in either working for the people or working for Mubarak. What the Egyptian people have displayed is a faith in humanity’s ability to reason, to differentiate between right and wrong, to recognize one’s own power as a individual and as part of a collective. A faith that transcends hegemonic programmed thinking that reproduces compliance and replaces real reasoning with moral deficiency.

While the rest of the world, including myself, reflects on Egypt in amazement, it is important to remember that what the people of Egypt have done was nothing short of what a people under government should do. The people reacted in a way that people are supposed to react when a government fails to provide for its people, when a leader steals from the pockets and tables of the workers, and when the voice of the people are belittled or silenced. They say that there is only fight or flight when one feels threatened. So when there is no place to flee to, there is no choice but fight. It is nature’s rule and the people’s will.

The work in Egypt is obviously not over as they enter into a new phase of their struggle. Watching the process of rebuilding is just as important watching the people oust their government. I look forward to continue learning from the Egyptian people.

Humbled and Inspired,

-ARISTYLES