lights in the darkness

One thing that continually gives me comfort is that no matter how depraved a total society becomes, somehow the light of understanding and knowledge still finds a way to shine through. There will always be those souls whose lights cannot be put out. That's the miracle that gives me hope.

It has recently struck me, and now never ceases to uplift my spirits to know that there are enlightened souls here in Egypt. Among all the ignorance, fanaticism and hatred that has struck down the people in masses, there are still lights shining! For a long time I felt so demoralized and hopeless about the condition in Egypt. I was thinking to myself, how is anything ever going to change? How can the people here be so blinded and backward in almost every way imaginable? How can they not see how bigoted and abased they are? All the people that think they are so righteous, lording themselves over others. Those who think they have the answers when really it is a code of hatred and corruption. Those who call themselves religious while their hearts are so black with evil that I literally cringe and shudder. Those who lie and cheat and deceive and never think for themselves, being spoonfed always by their teachers or parents or sheikhs.

And yet, there are people, brought up in the same society, with the same problems and depravity, who are different. People who don't just follow the crowd. People who say yes, we have a right to freedom of belief, the right to basic human rights no matter who we are, people who refuse to bribe no matter how much trouble it causes them, people who care about others and try to help others. I can't believe these people exist! But here they are. Here to inspire me to take the higher road. Here to encourage me to not give up my principles, here to show me that we can make a difference by our deeds and actions.

A woman on a bus who smiles at me and wants to hold my daughter, even though I am American. A man at the supermarket who insists on serving people in the order they arrived, putting up with abuse from those customers who want special treatment. A man that came running to help me when a taxi driver started to physically attack me, again even though I am a white woman with loose morals and deserving abuse. A woman that told me how important it is to love and befriend people of all cultures and religious backgrounds, and proceeded to prove it by befriending me, of a different culture and religion. A young teacher that hugs a little African girl and dries her tears away, even though she is black and therefore beneath her. A colleague at work that says take my tea, I won't need it. A woman who offers to lend me money to take my daughter to the doctor. A small group of activists defending the rights of Somalian regufees. A woman's organisation that is helping to educate village women about their rights, solely through volunteers. A driver in the car next to me that lets me go first. My Egyptian husband refusing to let someone lie to our children (stop crying and I'll give you a lollypop).

These are the incidents I choose to keep close to my heart these days. Proof that goodness still exists, and that joy can still be a part of life. So, you see, in the end, I find myself happy to live in Egypt, knowing that there are lights still shining that cannot be put out. Thank you to these precious souls.

Blame it on someone else

In a culture where nothing is ever anyone's fault, it's not surprising that all troubles are blamed on the president. After all, he's been in power, illegitimately some would say, for what? 25 years? That's more years than many have even lived.

However, I would say that a nation is only as good as its president. That is to say, most presidents do end up representing the masses. Or rather what any one of the masses would do in his place! Are you telling me that the average Egyptian does NOT participate in corruption? Does NOT use any chance (by ill-begotten means) to get ahead? Down to the pettiest traffic cop, the majority of those in power abuse that power around here on a daily basis. Give a little tip to the police and they will let you go. And that's the way the country operates. Everyone knows it. Everyone is a conspirator in the system.

So how come you blame the president? Do you honestly think that another man/woman in power would bring some kind of miraculous change to the whole country? That they would change everyone's corrupted morals into decency? Get real. The only thing that is going to change any country, or the world for that matter, is the extent to which each individual pulls up his socks and starts living according to the code they imagine life should be lived by.

Everyone is too willing to tell a lie, to deceive, to bribe, to go along with the system that they know in their hearts is wrong. Take education for instance. I doubt there is anyone here that would say the Egyptian education system is a model example to the world. Everybody knows that the situation is getting worse and worse. Every child that can afford it gets tuitions after school. Why? Because obviously they are not learning what they need to learn at school. Kids are spending their lives on homework and extra classes. I'm not really sure what they are actually doing at school. But it can't be anything very useful since they need these extra classes. Doesn't anyone remember the days when you didn't tell anyone you went to extra classes because that meant you were "dumb"?

People just go along with the system. And its getting worse and worse by all accounts. People are graduating with all kinds of degrees with impressive titles. But when they are actually lucky enough to land a job, they are usually completely unprepared for the work required of them. And not just unprepared, but unable to use their brains to get themselves prepared.

Well, the reason things are getting this bad is because people are letting it. Its a land of sheep. Are you going to walk yourselves blindly to the slaughterhouse of complete and utter ignorance or what?

Be my guests if that's what you want to do, but don't try to blame it on your president. You have your own eyes, ears, hearts, minds, souls. Try using them.