Why I'm Completely Caught up in the News out of Egypt, and Why You Should Be Too

Make no mistake, the world is changing. I'm often guilty of ignoring international news myself, but I can almost guarantee that the developments in Egypt will have huge ramifications affecting all of our lives. The world is about to become less safe - but perhaps a whole lot better.

Admittedly, part of my draw to the Egyptian conflict is how exciting it is. We're witnessing a populous movement in action, people who are standing up to their government to declare that a dictatorship disguised as a democracy is not democracy enough. It should tug at the heartstrings of anyone who has passed an American history class to see the Egyptians acting to secure deserved freedoms. Those who don't understand this need have been privileged to be born into a nation whose forefathers already fought to secure them a more just government.

As a quick aside, I'm not saying that Americans should be complacent with their government. Democracy needs constant maintenance to keep it functioning properly. But at least Americans have the rights to vote, appeal, and protest to fine-tune a governance in line with its wishes. The Egyptians, who have not been permitted to assemble or form opposing parties, have had to take more drastic measures just to get to a point where they might be represented fairly.

What's even more exciting is that this dissent is primarily a youth movement. Although Egyptians of all ages and backgrounds are participating in the demonstrations, Egyptians under-30 are largely responsible for spearheading this movement. I honestly wish I could be there to be a part of something so signficant. Using technology like the internet, they have helped to mobilize a mistreated country's people to reclaim their rights. "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is right - Egypt has cut off stations that aren't showing either pro-regime or unrelated fluff, so the internet has been a valuable tool in rallying the people. As it turns out, the revolution will be Tweeted; Egypt's mass shut-off of the internet proved too little too late, much like President Hosni Mubarak's promises to be less of a tyrant.

Already it's bigger than Egypt: the ripple effect has begun. Just as Tunisia before it and perhaps Pakistan after it, Egypt is just one of many countries, several of which are in the Middle East, who have democracies in name only - and populations that are prepared to fight back. It won't always be pretty and, unfortunately, it won't always be peaceful, but it will be righteous.

So why is this an American issue? Whether or not it wants to be, the United States will be in the middle of these affairs, not only because it is a superpower, but because of the relationships it has formed with these nations' leaders. For decades, the United States has essentially been complicit in validating and strengthening these regimes by allying with them. Many of the weapons the Egyptian government is using against its own people were furnished by America. When the nations' people ultimately prevail against their fascist leaders, we face the unknown. The good relations we've constructed will no longer be relevant as we wait to see what new political structures develop. Will they hold it against us for befriending their oppressors?

I can't actually criticize the U.S.'s diplomacy with these countries over the years because I'm not sure what a better solution would have been. These decisions seem primarily motivated by a sense of security and centrism. America meddles enough, it wasn't the country's job to start "freeing" everyone from less-than-ideal political climates. Still, America surely looks hypocritical for thus far taking a hands-off approach to the Egypt situation where the people are clearly against their government who won't admit defeat, while forcing the issue in certain areas ("Operation Iraqi Freedom," anyone?) for a reticent population just because we have a grudge with its leader and an economic interest.

The world is about to face an extended period of instability and insecurity. America's international relations are in jeopardy. But with Egypt and subsequent countries, the American people should support - even if only symbolically - and applaud their democratic aspirations, trusting that, in the long term, the world will be safer for it.


Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution - Tracy Chapman