I complained about the Penguins losing to the Capitals. I complained about being single. I complained about not having a job. I complained about missing my brother. I complained about dirty laundry. Then, I started my nightly computer routine: Check Facebook, e-mails, nhl.com, twitter, CNN.
As I read about Libya and Bahrain, my heart broke. I watched absolutely horrifying videos broadcast by the BBC and Al Jazeera. These videos showed peaceful protesters in the streets of Tripoli (Libya's capital) being shot indiscriminately by mercenaries, hired by the country's oppressive dictator of 40+ years, Muammar Gadhafi. They showed civilians being shot by Gadhafi's snipers, family members screaming and crying, doctors and nurses being beaten. The government is using anti-aircraft weapons and high caliber rounds against civilian protesters. These are weapons designed to tear through walls and take out tanks...and they are being used on peaceful protesters.
I cannot comprehend this. This is the 21st century, right? The incredible movement for democracy in the middle East has inspired and intrigued me from the start. I followed the events in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen closely. Of course, there were horrible injuries and deaths in those movements, too. I'm not trying to downplay the courageous actions taken by Egyptians and Tunisians. Still, Libya is something different.
The government, unlike Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, is refusing to step down. It is threatening its citizens with civil war, promising bloodshed, hiring mercenaries, carrying out a genocide, and not even pretending to listen to the demands of the people. It remains defiant, shut down the country's internet and phone services, and has used its military forces indiscriminately against men, women, and children. Already, hundreds have died.
We don't have to worry about genocide. We don't fear our government or our military. We don't have to fight for democracy and we often take for granted those that did it for us.
This puts everything in perspective for me. We live in a country where democracy, peace, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech are not only expected, but taken for granted. We bitch and moan over party differences. We complain about taxes, traffic, and security checks at the airport. MSN's homepage is more concerned with Justin Bieber's haircut. We focus on celebrities, sports, movies, and music. I'm more than guilty myself.
What's even more troubling to me is that most Americans aren't even aware of what is going on in the middle East. We, of all people, should be most enthusiastic about the contagious nature of the democratic movement. We are the shining stars of democracy, the perfect picture of the democratic way of life. In fact, we like democracy so much that we even invaded a country to impose it on them...against the will of its people. We should stand adamently behind the people of Libya - proud, informed, and supportive. We should show our disgust with authoritarian regimes and refuse to deal with or tolerate oppressive dictators.
Unfortunately, many that are informed on the situation in the middle East have more selfish concerns. Many fear that the revolutions will put anti-American Islamic groups in power, damaging our strongholds in the area. Selfishly, they worry more about rising gas prices than the innocent lives being lost.
Tonight, as I closed my eyes due to the horrific violence on my computer screen, my eyes were also opened in a new way. It reaffirms to me that I have a relatively easy life. I won the lottery of birth and have very little to actually complain about. So, I refuse to take what I have for granted. I am thankful for our democracy, our freedom of speech and assembly. Call me an idealist, a bleeding heart, but I strongly believe in the voice of the people, protesting for something long overdue.
The people of the middle East are speaking and they are right.
If all I can do is raise awareness in my tiny corner of the universe, then so be it...but I will do that until the violence stops. I am grateful every single day to live in a country where a 23-year-old girl can write openly in her blog about celebrity crushes or the state of the world.
Tonight, I wish that for everyone standing courageously in the face of injustice.
i really like this post. it's awesome that you wrote this and you're so passionate. it's very encouraging. :)
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