There's only one topic that everyone in the world is discussing, the situation in Egypt.
I think it's extremely hard for most people to fathom what the people taking these brave steps towards freedom are going through. I know it's even harder for me than most, given that I've never been in any situation even close to this.
The situation has me thinking about the life most of us here are privileged to lead. My somewhat self indulgent musings are below the fold, if you're interested.
I live a life that wouldn't generally be called extraordinary by most accounts. I'm married, own a condo, hang out with friends and family, work an office job, and just try to get by. My daily struggles involve finding a spot on the streetcar, figuring out what's for dinner, or how to respond to that last-minute urgent request at the office. I live in a country that's consistently rated as amongst the safest, cleanest, most prosperous on the planet.
To sum up, I have very little in common with the brave men and women fighting for freedom in Egypt. These people, most of whom have never known "freedom" in that sense Americans and Canadians do, are putting themselves on the line for a concept, for a belief that things can be better. It's inspiring as hell, which is why the world is watching.
It makes me think about how we bicker and fight about little things, and how we could all use to take a step back and get some perspective on the world. On this site, we fight and worry about everything from the design of DK4, to if we're sufficiently pro or anti-Obama, to how we should be "doing battle" with the Republicans. yes, these things are important, but I think the events unfolding right before our eyes, and the eyes of the world show that we should fight these arguments with a bit more perspective. Lately, we keep being given these opportunities to unite, to rally behind common causes. We did this when Congresswoman Giffords and her supporters were shot, and we're doing it again here. These events bring out the best in this wonderful, progressive, unique community we share here.
There are times, there are moments, there are events in history that bring us all together, in support of a common cause, a common ideal, in support of the desire of a people to be free. This is truly one of those moments. Out of years of oppression has risen a people anxious to be free, to be in control of their own destiny. They come in the face of intimidation, in the face of violence, in the face of tanks, of machetes, of molotov cocktails and armed thugs. They came together in an attempt to protect their nation's heritage, forming a human shield around their national museum. I can't even imagine the guts it must have taken to do that.
I don't really have a rallying cry, or a final crescendo or brilliant insight to end this. I just wanted to weigh in and note my support for the brave people of Egypt, and to share my thoughts.
Be safe whereever you are, and may the protesters be safe as well.