Hi all,
Life is funny sometimes, and often has a sense of sarcasm; of irony. Or maybe just this English teacher sees it that way.
Today, in school, I give a session on bloggers and blogging for what could be potentially an entire student body presentation - all high school students are invited. In reality, it will likely be me, a few students, maybe a few teachers, and the crickets. And, at least the crickets will be listening.
But in preparing for the presentation I have remembered quite a few things, some of which had to do with my original intent in creating this blog, and other things that are and always have been out of my control.
When I arrived in Egypt, I decided I wanted to have a clear voice explaining to my family, friends, former students and others what the day to day realities were like of living in a foreign country in general, and living in Egypt specifically. I hoped that sharing my experiences would give provide some with entertainment, others with knowledge and cultural awareness, and still others with courage to understand that the world isn't such a terrible place.
That was 128 weeks ago, in 2009. I started out pretty well, and wrote 28 entries over the next year.
Then, something happened.
Part of my presentation today will reference the blogging and reporting of Khaled Saeed. It is on this point I must take a moment to reflect, for his story has affected the course of this blog more than any other single event. And his story today reminds me I should be a little more brave.
You see, I've been so afraid to write about anything bad for fear there could be ramifications (like bad people would come find me and hurt me) that to my discredit I have also stopped writing about the good.
Since his death, I've written only six new blogs.
I think of my childhood and adult lessons. I think of what it means to speak or to maintain silence.
Egypt can be scary. If I believed every rumor, everything I read in the news, heard on the T.V., or even heard on the street, I'd have left long ago. There are lots of speculators and lots of speculations, and many are nerve-wracking.
I live in a country that is changing, and change can be hard. It can be especially hard if the people wrestling for power are corrupt, have selfish intentions, or are willing to take extreme measures to ensure they either gain or maintain that power. This is happening here now.
And, it would be very easy for me to reprint many of those speculations here. This is what Khaled Said did. Published information he felt it was important for others to know. In a world where we all now have a "veritable Guttenberg Press in our bedrooms" (thanks NETA speaker whose name I can't remember 2005ish) he decided to print in a blog what could not and would not be printed in government controlled media publications.
Of course, worse things than what Khaled Said reported on happen here regularly, and they are generally not spoken about...at least not in open forums. Of course, people discuss them privately and in confidence with those they trust. Of course, most Egyptians are really kind, well intentioned people who want better for their families, their neighborhoods, their government and their country. Or course, most are optimistic about that future. But of course some are clinging to power and to the old ways of corruption, greed, and violence that have kept them in power for so long.
And of course, you don't read about most of it.
There are laws on the books. One cannot say anything bad about the President. One cannot say anything bad about Egypt. And there are laws which cast a bigger net, so most people are cautious in choosing what not to say.
What we all see on TV, frequent camera shots of Tahrir Square in downtown Egypt is only the tiniest tip of the iceberg. In the majority of Egypt people approach their problems with a very respectable quiet demeanor yet a steady push. The majority of people I know are kind and warm hearted - they would never raise a hand against another. Yet the power in the country rests solidly in the hands of a minority who put their own private interests over those of the majority of the Egyptian people.
This week marks the anniversary of the events of last year's uprising. January 25th, formerly "Police Day" is still honored as a public holiday. Most people are off work that day. We can expect to see Tahrir Square again on the news. Many people are staying home, yet a few still will again go to Tahrir to protest those things that are not talked about in print. And, if those protesters push, the army will likely not sit idly by and watch. It would not surprise if Friday the 27th becomes an important day. As last year showed, if things go badly during the week, many people may choose to use Friday as a gathering day to show unity and stand up for their rights.
So, whether this week is peaceful (as the Egyptians say, "In sha Allah" or "God Willing") or if it takes a sad turn we will see. In either case, the events of the next seven days will be a clear sign of the state of the state moving forward.
With all intentions of blogging more frequently: the good, the bad, and the life,
Scott
Life is funny sometimes, and often has a sense of sarcasm; of irony. Or maybe just this English teacher sees it that way.
Today, in school, I give a session on bloggers and blogging for what could be potentially an entire student body presentation - all high school students are invited. In reality, it will likely be me, a few students, maybe a few teachers, and the crickets. And, at least the crickets will be listening.
But in preparing for the presentation I have remembered quite a few things, some of which had to do with my original intent in creating this blog, and other things that are and always have been out of my control.
When I arrived in Egypt, I decided I wanted to have a clear voice explaining to my family, friends, former students and others what the day to day realities were like of living in a foreign country in general, and living in Egypt specifically. I hoped that sharing my experiences would give provide some with entertainment, others with knowledge and cultural awareness, and still others with courage to understand that the world isn't such a terrible place.
That was 128 weeks ago, in 2009. I started out pretty well, and wrote 28 entries over the next year.
Then, something happened.
Part of my presentation today will reference the blogging and reporting of Khaled Saeed. It is on this point I must take a moment to reflect, for his story has affected the course of this blog more than any other single event. And his story today reminds me I should be a little more brave.
You see, I've been so afraid to write about anything bad for fear there could be ramifications (like bad people would come find me and hurt me) that to my discredit I have also stopped writing about the good.
Since his death, I've written only six new blogs.
I think of my childhood and adult lessons. I think of what it means to speak or to maintain silence.
Egypt can be scary. If I believed every rumor, everything I read in the news, heard on the T.V., or even heard on the street, I'd have left long ago. There are lots of speculators and lots of speculations, and many are nerve-wracking.
I live in a country that is changing, and change can be hard. It can be especially hard if the people wrestling for power are corrupt, have selfish intentions, or are willing to take extreme measures to ensure they either gain or maintain that power. This is happening here now.
And, it would be very easy for me to reprint many of those speculations here. This is what Khaled Said did. Published information he felt it was important for others to know. In a world where we all now have a "veritable Guttenberg Press in our bedrooms" (thanks NETA speaker whose name I can't remember 2005ish) he decided to print in a blog what could not and would not be printed in government controlled media publications.
Of course, worse things than what Khaled Said reported on happen here regularly, and they are generally not spoken about...at least not in open forums. Of course, people discuss them privately and in confidence with those they trust. Of course, most Egyptians are really kind, well intentioned people who want better for their families, their neighborhoods, their government and their country. Or course, most are optimistic about that future. But of course some are clinging to power and to the old ways of corruption, greed, and violence that have kept them in power for so long.
And of course, you don't read about most of it.
There are laws on the books. One cannot say anything bad about the President. One cannot say anything bad about Egypt. And there are laws which cast a bigger net, so most people are cautious in choosing what not to say.
What we all see on TV, frequent camera shots of Tahrir Square in downtown Egypt is only the tiniest tip of the iceberg. In the majority of Egypt people approach their problems with a very respectable quiet demeanor yet a steady push. The majority of people I know are kind and warm hearted - they would never raise a hand against another. Yet the power in the country rests solidly in the hands of a minority who put their own private interests over those of the majority of the Egyptian people.
This week marks the anniversary of the events of last year's uprising. January 25th, formerly "Police Day" is still honored as a public holiday. Most people are off work that day. We can expect to see Tahrir Square again on the news. Many people are staying home, yet a few still will again go to Tahrir to protest those things that are not talked about in print. And, if those protesters push, the army will likely not sit idly by and watch. It would not surprise if Friday the 27th becomes an important day. As last year showed, if things go badly during the week, many people may choose to use Friday as a gathering day to show unity and stand up for their rights.
So, whether this week is peaceful (as the Egyptians say, "In sha Allah" or "God Willing") or if it takes a sad turn we will see. In either case, the events of the next seven days will be a clear sign of the state of the state moving forward.
With all intentions of blogging more frequently: the good, the bad, and the life,
Scott
