Today is a day for celebration. Tomorrow the work begins anew.
And while the people of Egypt have a long road ahead of them to continuously push for reform and work to dismantle a pervasive sub-culture of official corruption and impunity within the ruling systems, they also have great cause to dance in the streets.
They have done what few would have believed possible one month ago. With amazing grace, determination and demonstrations of love towards each other, the Egyptian nation put aside internal differences to band together. They fought off physical challenges. They fought off political challenges. They stood. And stood. And stood.
And by failing to allow the situation to disintegrate into the bloodbath many feared, Egypt has set the example for the Arab world.
No longer will political leaders be free to act with impunity. No longer will the “Arab street” be viewed unfairly by Western pundits as a symbol of chaos and fear. No longer will the people of the Arab world have their spirits crushed by the grind of greedy political systems that function only to repress.
Is everything in Egypt now suddenly roses and daisies? No.
The country’s economy needs work. Reform of the judicial system and security forces is paramount. And it’s human rights record? Ai yai yai, abysmal doesn’t even come close. Favoritism, nepotism and the entitlement of the few? Yeah, that’s going to need work too.
But today is a day to celebrate.
Egypt has spoken …. Damascus, Amman, Sana’a, Tehran, are you listening???
I have nothing to add. So well said. I just hope things work out. They are strong people to have accomplished what they accomplished. Very strong.
I hope people in Egypt don’t get discouraged by the work involved. Too many times, when people make a positive change, they think it will be a bed of roses. It’s work.
Good article. I retweeted 😀
At the risk of sounding like a party pooper:
Although I am extremely happy to see the first peaceful and effective “revolution” of or 21st century, I can’t help but wonder if it’s just “the people” behind this movement.
It is a well choreographed event that, much like the Cuban revolution, may have an unintended result. Hezbolla, The Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda are not the only boogeymen in the region. And while I concede that today is cause for celebration, I prefer to pop the champagne at the end of the journey, not at the first step of uncertain destiny.
Carry on.