Is Egypt’s Revolution Made in Vain?
Egypt’s revolution is a look at how citizens, of any country, can make a dramatic change if their human rights are being infringed. Egypt had been ruled by Hosni Mubarak for thirty years. Mubarak had a dictatorship over the country. The Egyptian people had become disconcert with the complete control of Mubarak, and they demanded democracy. There are three reasons Egypt’s uprising brings a touching and informational view to all. Some Egyptians believe the United States is overlooking the great message behind the revolution, but focusing on the violence. There are also people who believe America should step in and stop the violence, while others believe the United States should stay out of the situation. Since Mubarak has stepped down, the question has been who will be over the country, and how long will it be until democracy?
America has been covering the story of Egyptian democracy since the protests began January twenty-fifth. Egyptians were inspired by Facebook, a social network and revolt in Tunisia that ended the twenty-five year rule of Abidine Ben Ali. The Egyptian people demanded a higher minimum wage, government reform and an end to police brutality, according to Unrest in Egypt (CNN). Protestors took to the streets of Egypt, demanding Mubarak to step down. Mubarak refused to step down at first, claiming to step down in September, but after protests saying that wasn’t quick enough; he stepped down on February eleventh. The violent rampages were the result of peaceful marches gone wrong. Once the government stepped in, chaos unfortunately started, when officers were orders to kill the unruly. News broadcasters like, CNN and The New York Times, have produced stories of the violent rampages and military control it took to get to this stage, than focusing on the great reason, democracy. Many Egyptians have given their lives in all of the chaos in order to change history. This revolution will be remembered by citizens of Egypt as a gracious step ahead in policy for a lifetime, and for America producing the situation as just violent uproar is offensive to most. According to Viswanathan, Readers' Editor (The Hindu), an Indian English-language daily newspaper, in the course of an interview on CNN, Mona Elthawy said that the situation was most accurately described as an “uprising” or a “revolt”, not as “chaos” and “unrest.” According to The New York Times, soon after the interview, CNN's banner headline was changed from “Chaos in Egypt” to “Uprising in Egypt.” People are asking to look past the violence and look at the good that has come out of it all.There is discussion on whether or not the United States should have step into the uprising and try to calm the violence. The United States has been ridiculed because they have gone to fight for democracy in the middle-east, but no military support for Egypt. The question is what kind of message is the United States sending to other nations of foreign policy? According to “Obama Presses Egypt’s Military to Democracy” (Ny Times), Obama has promised, in his remarks, “whatever assistance is necessary” to pursue a “credible transition to a democracy.” There has been economic and military aid sent in Egypt’s need, but is that enough? The United States has given Egypt around sixty billion dollars in addition to training some of the Egyptian police forces responsible for the torture in Egypt, according to Egypt’s Problem of Leardership. Should have the United States step in? There are others that believed the United States military should have stayed out of the issue. Egyptian military has also become an issue with the revolution. Citizens are scared to come forward with information that took place during the protest because of fear in losing their lives for being traitors. Wael Ghonim, a marketing exective for Google, had been released from jail recently for creating the Facebook page, We are all Khaied Said, that started protest throughout Egypt on police violence. Ghonim went missing two days after the street protest began and his location was jail. He was considered a traitor by Egyptian government officials and held for questioning for twelve days. “Anyone with good intentions id the traitor because being evil is the norm,” he said (ABC). Egyptians have seen Ghonim as a hero for starting the historic movement. Although Ghonium have brought upon the revolution, he is taken back by the death amounts throughout Egypt. After being released from jail, Ghonim says, “I am no hero. I slept for twelve days. The heroes, they’re the ones who were in the street, who took part in the demonstrations, sacrificed their lives, were beaten, arrested, and exposed to danger” (Egypt’s Problem of Leadership). In two weeks, there was an estimated amount of 297 lives taken during protest, according to “Freed Google Exec Helped Spark Egypt Revolt.” While there is no exact number of deaths, “clearly, a significant number of these deaths are a result of the use of excessive and unlawful use of force by the police,” said Peter Bouckaert, emergencies director at Human Rights Watch (ABC). Is this a good reason for the United States to step into the situation?
The last reason is based around the question, what happens next? Now that Mubarak has stepped down, the power has moved to the Vice President and to the military. The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood is ready to take charge, according to Egypt’s Problem of Leadership. It is become less likely the Egyptian community will accept the EMB because of their strict Islamic views after Egypt’s new break for freedom.
The end result everyone wants is democracy. The road to democracy has been a long one for many other countries. It took Korea more than fifteen years to transition from military rule to democracy, and Taiwan took even longer, according to “Egypt Faces Long, Uncharted Road” (CNN). The United States has taken on the task of developing a plan of political parties in Egypt. This will allow different government officials, considered good candidates by the U.S., to take action and bring fourth democracy in Egypt. Many question the people that will consider these certain candidates the “winner.” But there are risks. There will be a new constitution written by the previous lawful and unlawful that can bring back some dictatorship. Egypt also risk being taken over by powerful religious leaders. These are problems that will be faced in the future.
In conclusion, Egypt has made history these past few weeks as the citizens have overthrown their dictator of thirty years. Their revolution will be in the history books, but will they be in them for the right reasons? The three reasons stated above are just some of the problems that have arisen from the Egyptian revolt, but would it all be done in vain? Many have risked their lives, while others have lost them in this struggle. Only time will tell. When democracy is achieved, there will be triumph.
Works Cited
Brown, Harold. “Egypt Faces Tough, Uncharted Road.” Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. 22 Feb. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2011.
“Freed Google Exec helped Spark Egypt Revolt.” ABC News. ABC Inc. 07 Feb. 2011. Web. 01 Mar. 2011.
“From Simmer to Boil: Pivotal Moments in Egyptian Uprising.” Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2011.
Sanger, David. “Obama Presses Egypt’s Military on Democracy.” New York Times. New York Times, 11 Feb. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2011.
“Unrest in Egypt.” Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2011.
Viswanathan, S. “How the Media Covered the Egyptian Uprising.” The Hindu. Moblie Edition, 20 Feb. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2011.
