Reflections of an Evacuated "Middle Eastern Studies" Major

In the past couple of weeks I have been having a sort of Kristof-athon. While I was in snail-mail reachable Europe, my mom sent me Kristof’s book, Half the Sky, which he wrote with his wife, Sheryl WuDunn. The subtitle of the book is “Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” and it is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. As a frequent reader of his editorials in the New York Times, my long time admiration for him has recently turned into full-on adoration. My dad sent me the link to his blog, which for the past week or so has been his first-hand account of the events in Egypt. His writing is eloquent, thought provoking, and rich with the experience of a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who has been reporting on world events for decades. He has been on the ground for innumerable conflicts, uprisings, and revolutions. His article “We Are All Egyptians” in Thursday’s paper synthesized perfectly so many of the emotions and thoughts I have been having since all this began on that fateful “Day of Anger.”

Being stuck in Jordan, so many miles away from where I feel I should be, I have been watching and reading everything I can about what is going on in the country that has been my home for the past half a year. Everyone has an opinion about what is going on and what the future holds for Egypt. The consensus seems to be that Mubarak has no choice but to step down and even his BFFs in Washington have reluctantly agreed. But if there is one word that is used most frequently to describe the Egyptian dictator, it is stubborn. While there are certainly a few other, more colorful adjectives floating around my head to describe him, especially after his most recent despicable attempts to quell the uprisings, I cannot deny that this is true. One thing is for sure; he’s not going down without a fight. And any hope he had for a graceful departure from power was crushed by the fists of the “pro-Mubarak” thugs he sent to intimidate peaceful protestors. And now people all over the world are feeling what every Egyptian has felt for at least the last twenty years: it’s time for him to get the fuck out.

However, despite the fact that the obvious next step is Mubarak’s resignation, many American media sources, and indeed some powerful people in Washington, seem reluctant to take the plunge. This faltering is understandable, Mubarak has been our biggest ally in the Arab world for years and certainly his departure leaves uncertainty about our, and Israel’s, future relations with Egypt. But I think the suggestion that without Mubarak, Egypt will descend into chaos is an insult to the Egyptian people and what they have accomplished. Indeed, thus far the chaotic element of this revolution has been the regime. Useless concessions, empty promises, and, lately, violence have been the government’s only actions, while the people have been organized, persistent, clear-headed, and peaceful. I think it is time we put a little more faith in the Egyptian people, especially now that the world knows what they are capable of.

Another problem with the Western media’s analysis of Egypt’s future possibilities is the almost universal, and wholly inaccurate, portrayal of the Muslim Brotherhood as a radical, terrorist organization. While this description may have been accurate a few decades ago, the MB has been an organization that condemns violence for many years. Now it is a middle-class movement, consisting mostly of members who are doctors, lawyers, and businessmen. For the past decade, its members have been discussing practical ways to reconcile Islam, democracy, and the modern age. And they have come up with some worthwhile solutions. While still primarily a religious group, the majority of the MB represents a moderate outlook on government and society. There are still radical fringe groups of course, but as a country currently electing members of the Tea Party to government, I don’t think America can say too much about that.

As for Israel’s concern, and our inevitable concern for them, it is unavoidable. A leader representing the views of the majority of Egyptians would not continue the same kind of diplomatic relations with the Jewish state that this regime has. But Egypt is in no position, politically, economically or militarily, to go to war with Israel again. Nor can it afford to lose the valuable American aid that has been flowing in due, in large part, to its conciliatory role in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Anyone smart enough to gain a position of power in Egypt will know this.

The most important thing to keep in mind, in my opinion, is that the Egyptians are saying loud and clear that they are fed up with authoritarian rule. While the ousting of Mubarak has been the aspect of these uprisings most played up in the media, it is actually the cry for democracy that is at the heart of the issue. Egyptians are not only seeking the end of a dictatorship, but the beginning of a government for and by the people. Decades of oppression have taught them the importance of government accountability to the people and the rule of law. They have taken these lessons to heart and now it’s our job to offer our support as they seek to implement them.

*I know I promised food posts, and I swear there are some coming, but my head is fuller than my stomach right now. So, in the meantime, I hope you will all accept some brain food!