Let’s be real, folks. Most of us have no clue about what life is like in Egypt, Tunisia, Iran or any of the other countries where revolt has been in the air of late. We know little of the existence of these countries until there is news of upheaval by its citizens.
We follow the coverage and are drawn in to the real-life dramas that are being played out on our televisions, iPhones, and Twitter streams.
Defiant protesters rage against entrenched regimes. In these countries, protesters risk everything and are promised nothing. They put their lives on the line for just the chance to experience freedom.
It’s really quite amazing, if you stop to think about it.
In America, the poor are not defying our government; the disenfranchised have not taken to the streets in large numbers and for sustained periods of time. Yes, Americans protest often, but those demonstrations are sporadic and short-lived. The people who march in them risk little, if anything. For some activists, like the Tea Party, it’s a chance to play dress-up. We live in a free society where dissent is expected, even if the grievances are imagined or overstated.
There have been sustained and effective protests here over heated issues like the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. The danger was real for the proponents of change during those very volatile periods of our history.
This is why I can’t help but share in the excitement of people who struggle for freedom – whether or not I know anything about them. If those who live under the rule of a despot find the strength within themselves to take a stand to change that reality, they deserve the support of peoples and nations who claim to share those aspirations.
Some have found ways to downplay what has happened in Egypt. They worry about instability in the region and the motives of the protesters. They worry about how this will affect Israel. But mostly, they worry about “radical extremists” filling the power void, thereby, threatening America.
It’s never too early to trot out the boogeyman.
People are allowed to worry about such things, of course, but the underlying presumption that this can only turn out badly for both Egypt and America is ludicrous.
Have a little faith people!
Americans are supposed to love democracy. Hell, we’ve gone to war because we love it so much that we want to force others to love it too. In Egypt, we have an instance where the people themselves have initiated a step toward freedom. No one knows what their next steps will be and what form of government they will eventually have.
What we do know is that they want a voice. They want a voice in choosing their leaders, in how they live their lives, and in how they shape their destiny — they have told us so.
Many Americans can hear them.
Can you?
{ 1 comment }
Ray } – 
