The possibilities are tantalizing and fascinating. A people rise up to shake off 30 years of rule by a single autocrat, a man swept to power by a militant Islamic attack that struck down his more open predecessor who had dared to make peace with the enemy. Had I the power to change it, I would not. Freedom is far too precious, though it often brings with it heavy costs. Even if those who have been given it chose to use it for evil ends, it is better for them to have it. Only freedom, true freedom, can serve as the antidote to repression--by government or religion.
For now we must wait. And wonder. Who will come next? A true champion of secular democratic principle? A hard-line theocracy in the mold of Iran? Something in the middle? Or another autocratic strong man? What will the next days and years bring for Egypt's neighbors in the region? Stability? Peace? Or war aggression and war? Only time will tell.
Until time does tell, one such as myself, so far outside the daily workings of Egyptian life, can only absorb the comments of the skeptics and the optimists (of both persuasion) and wonder where it all will end and what it will mean for me and mine.
But in that interum lies an intriguing concept--at times like these, I am witness to history. I watch with the knowledge that so many words and deeds from days long past serve as the precedents to the very events that we are witnessing, only played out in past tense. They have become history. We are witness to history in present, history becoming history, history in the making.
I do not know where it will all end. I hope and pray for the best, yet feel a tinge of uncertainty and doubt. I believe it will likely be a precarious ride. At best, it may be a wild one. Either way, it will be fascinating.
For now we must wait. And wonder. Who will come next? A true champion of secular democratic principle? A hard-line theocracy in the mold of Iran? Something in the middle? Or another autocratic strong man? What will the next days and years bring for Egypt's neighbors in the region? Stability? Peace? Or war aggression and war? Only time will tell.
Until time does tell, one such as myself, so far outside the daily workings of Egyptian life, can only absorb the comments of the skeptics and the optimists (of both persuasion) and wonder where it all will end and what it will mean for me and mine.
But in that interum lies an intriguing concept--at times like these, I am witness to history. I watch with the knowledge that so many words and deeds from days long past serve as the precedents to the very events that we are witnessing, only played out in past tense. They have become history. We are witness to history in present, history becoming history, history in the making.
I do not know where it will all end. I hope and pray for the best, yet feel a tinge of uncertainty and doubt. I believe it will likely be a precarious ride. At best, it may be a wild one. Either way, it will be fascinating.
I was pulled in by your words ... so vivid and thought provoking is your language. We are watching history as it unfolds ... by far in the world at large and in our own home as our children develop. A good reminder to do what we can where we can, appreciate what we see as it is all in a fleeting moment, and prayerfully "enjoy the ride".
ReplyDeleteSad LOL--How many times are we so caught up in what is happening 1/2 a world away, as important as it may be, and forget the history we are witnessing within our own homes. Good thoughts!
ReplyDelete