Before we all became pre-occupied with this weather, the news was covering the protests, demonstrations, and violence in Egypt. Not to say that I'm not into the weather right now like everyone else, heck, I'm enjoying my second consecutive snow day at home (Praise da Lord!), but hopefully no one has forgotten about what happening in the streets of Cairo.
I read a great blog yesterday- (Click here to read it) (thanks, Kim for posting it)- about what's going on and how it started. Funny enough the revolution basically began online via Facebook and Twitter. Facebook has become pretty annoying lately and I've never seen anything worthy or redeemable about Twitter, but in Egypt, the youth have used these social networks to begin a revolution that has about 2/3 of the nation involved. I once stood firmly against getting a Twitter, but this makes me reconsider. In a country were the government controls and restricts just about everything, Facebook and Twitter have prevailed. On CNN and CBS news, they were reporting that the government shut down internet access all across the nation, but protesters still kept in contact, let their voices ring, and shouted via mobile Tweets. Updates were pouring in by the seconds.
It's amazing to see just how much we've changed as a global society. Think back with me, please. The Civil Rights Movement right here in America. It took years of networking and strong leaders to coordinate and organize protests and demonstrations. It took lots of planning in advance and the rise of national organizations with strong leadership to get the movement off the ground. In Egypt, all it took were a few tweets and posts. It's amazing to think how revolutions have revolutionized.
The protesters don't have a strong political leader. They don't have an alternative president waiting to step in. They're not all coming from one united political voice. They are just downright miserable and desperate to get Mubarak O-U-T! The government there, from what I remember for Dr. Ngong's class and doing current events on Egypt, is severely corrupted. They control the nation with a tight grip. If you spoke out against them that morning, chances of you making it home that evening were slim. Citizens that voiced their opinions against the regime would just vanish. I once read about a group of homeless citizens trying to find shelter in Cairo, the capitol- a city that must be kept “clean.” Mysteriously, there was a random rock slide that crushed the destitute homeless folks’ shabby boxes made into shelters, killing most and driving out the rest. "Accidents" happen. Mubarak has been known to shut down power to cities for days at a time as punishment. Force people out their homes and into the streets. Have "unfit" citizens disappear.
Just pray for Egypt. As the violence increases, keep these people in your prayers. Whatever the outcome of all of this, there is bound to be even more suffering. When the government fails, pray the people will remain strong and can get through a transition without a leader. Pray for less violence. Pray for the safety of those Egyptian youths trying to repair and better their nation. Pray that they find a solid, strong, and just leader. Pray that America does what's right to help.
The revolution in Egypt is happening... and the world can see. We are all watching. We are reading your tweets and posts. We are being updated by the minute. Mubarak, you can't keep this quiet.
I read a great blog yesterday- (Click here to read it) (thanks, Kim for posting it)- about what's going on and how it started. Funny enough the revolution basically began online via Facebook and Twitter. Facebook has become pretty annoying lately and I've never seen anything worthy or redeemable about Twitter, but in Egypt, the youth have used these social networks to begin a revolution that has about 2/3 of the nation involved. I once stood firmly against getting a Twitter, but this makes me reconsider. In a country were the government controls and restricts just about everything, Facebook and Twitter have prevailed. On CNN and CBS news, they were reporting that the government shut down internet access all across the nation, but protesters still kept in contact, let their voices ring, and shouted via mobile Tweets. Updates were pouring in by the seconds.
It's amazing to see just how much we've changed as a global society. Think back with me, please. The Civil Rights Movement right here in America. It took years of networking and strong leaders to coordinate and organize protests and demonstrations. It took lots of planning in advance and the rise of national organizations with strong leadership to get the movement off the ground. In Egypt, all it took were a few tweets and posts. It's amazing to think how revolutions have revolutionized.
The protesters don't have a strong political leader. They don't have an alternative president waiting to step in. They're not all coming from one united political voice. They are just downright miserable and desperate to get Mubarak O-U-T! The government there, from what I remember for Dr. Ngong's class and doing current events on Egypt, is severely corrupted. They control the nation with a tight grip. If you spoke out against them that morning, chances of you making it home that evening were slim. Citizens that voiced their opinions against the regime would just vanish. I once read about a group of homeless citizens trying to find shelter in Cairo, the capitol- a city that must be kept “clean.” Mysteriously, there was a random rock slide that crushed the destitute homeless folks’ shabby boxes made into shelters, killing most and driving out the rest. "Accidents" happen. Mubarak has been known to shut down power to cities for days at a time as punishment. Force people out their homes and into the streets. Have "unfit" citizens disappear.
Just pray for Egypt. As the violence increases, keep these people in your prayers. Whatever the outcome of all of this, there is bound to be even more suffering. When the government fails, pray the people will remain strong and can get through a transition without a leader. Pray for less violence. Pray for the safety of those Egyptian youths trying to repair and better their nation. Pray that they find a solid, strong, and just leader. Pray that America does what's right to help.
The revolution in Egypt is happening... and the world can see. We are all watching. We are reading your tweets and posts. We are being updated by the minute. Mubarak, you can't keep this quiet.
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