What Americans Can Stand to Learn from Egypt

My friends and I had dinner last night at Il Forno, an Italian eatery near my apartment.  This was our second visit.  The first of which happened about 3 weeks ago, while the upheaval in Egypt was taking place.  During our initial visit, we found our  Egyptian waiter to be very friendly and accommodating.  He was even more so when he discovered we were American.

He, a young Egyptian man, was very proud of the citizens in his country who stood up to a political regime that had ruled for 30 years.  He talked about President Obama and how the President had been a bit shifty in whether or not Mubarak should finish his term or step down immediately and while he did not like our politics, he loved our country and what he believed it stood for.

So, when we returned on yesterday, he eagerly made his way to our table to greet us with smiles and warm words.  However, his smile this time, was much brighter than before.  He smiled as though he had no other choice.  It was almost contagious and it didn't take us long to discover why.  He was proud of those who had protested and stood up for their beliefs.  He was proud of his country, but more discernible than not, he was proud to be Egyptian.

I too felt proud with him.  Since the beginning of this revolt, I have firmly stood behind the Egyptian people and their quest for dignity, respect and reform.  Figuring that if even one person believes in the fight, then he must fight, even if he fights alone.  The Egyptian people remind me of my African-American sisters and brothers back home who face high rates of homelessness, joblessness and poverty.  The only difference is that the Egyptian people were sick and tired of being sick and tired, while my sisters and brothers back home sit on a nail that still doesn't hurt bad enough for them to get up.


Although I am proud to be American and wouldn't want to be anything else, I must say that I am not very proud of the discrimination and the unjust treatment of African-Americans in my country.  Equally so, I am not always proud of how content African-Americans have become even when there is substantial proof that they are worse off than Non-Hispanics, Whites, Asians and  Hispanics in areas of income, homelessness, education and over all poverty.

According to the 2008 and 2009 US Census, the median income of Blacks fell below that of all other ethnic groups and between 2008 and 2009 the real median household income declined for non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks, while the poverty rate increased for non-Hispanic Whites, Blacks and Hispanics.  In addition, the uninsured rate and number of uninsured increased for non-Hispanic Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics.


When you couple these statistics with drug infested neighborhoods, ill-equipped and dilapidated schools, as well as police brutality towards Black men and teens, I believe that it's long overdue that African-Americans stand up for their families and their communities.  It's time for Black men and women to take back their streets so that their children can play on the sidewalks that they pay taxes for.   It's time for African-Americans to take back the schools that gangs and drug dealers have declared as their own.  It's time for Black people to stop begging for jobs and waiting in lines for hand outs and to create opportunities for themselves as they once did after slavery, during the Reconstruction Era, as well as the Civil Rights Movement.  It's time to stand up and be the fighting and resilient children and grandchildren of those Civil Rights leaders that came before them.

Surprise, but the fight is not over and the only thing that has changed is the enemy.  Our government is not our enemy.  Sure, they have created conditions that don't fully contribute to the uplifting of Black people, but Black people have also done the same things to themselves.  When teenage delinquents and drug dealers run your communities it's time for a revolt.  When there are high bouts of violence and low rates in graduation and academic achievement, it is time for a revolt.  When there are liquor stores on every corner, but no libraries, conveience stores or gas stations, then it's time for a revolt.  What will it take for African-Americans to realize that their complacency has become the new enemy?

I truly believe that across America, African-Americans need to become more conscientious of the conditions that are contributing to the demise of the race.  Yes, the government has and continues to play a role, but the truth of the matter is, no one will care more for you than you.  No one loves your children the way that you do and no one will be more concerned about you and your families well-being than you should be.  Are we sick and tired yet, or do things need to get worse before they can get better?


The time has come and gone for us to hold our politicians accountable and to ensure that they serve the people, but the time has also run out for us to hold ourselves accountable.  The difference between the Egyptians and the African-Americans in the US, is that the Egyptians knew that they weren't getting what they deserved and they demanded more.  We don't know that we deserve more.  As long as we have our degrees, our house notes, our car notes and a little money in the bank, then we believe that we have arrived, but as King said, "injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere".

 

The conditions of Black folks in the US is unjust and on some levels inhumane.  We saw it during the Civil Rights Movement and it repeated itself with Rodney King in 1992.  It happened yet again with the Crown Heights uprise of 1991 and with Amadou Diallo in 1999 and with Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but if these events don't prove that it's time for change, then go to the US Census for any given year and read for yourself.

Afterall, the numbers don't lie, even when the people are so comfortable in their discomfort and pretending that the conditions of their sisters and brothers don't effect them or their bottom line.  However, the last time I checked, CEO's and high school dropouts stood in the same unemployment lines.

Why Abu Dhabi Won't See An Uprising Like Egypt Any Time Soon

My father calls, "did you here about that mess in Egypt?"  "Yes I did", I respond.  "How far is that from you?"  I am eating, somewhat busy, but I know that it isn't cool to ignore Poppas' calls.  Irritated, I reply, "about a 3-4 hour plane ride."  Not satisfied with my answer he goes on, "I have a map right here.  Now, where are you?"  He says, "I see Saudi Arabia and Oman".  I say, "great, we're far right.  Right by Saudi and Oman."   Still unable to find it, he slowly starts repeating what I've said, "Ok, right next to Saudi Arabia and Oman."  Hoping to speed up the process, I say "YES", but still there is no luck.  Perhaps, because he is tired and therefore, unable to think clearly.  Frustrated, I say to him, "call me when you're fully awake so that I can explain.  He agrees and reluctantly disengages the phone.

I feel bad, thinking, how worried I would be if someone I loved seemed to be so far away and yet close to so much chaos and drama.  I am frustrated with the call, but I am certain that my frustration does not compare to his at this time.  He is worried about me, as a father should be, but he is not the only one.  Over the past few weeks, I have received numerous calls and e-mails of concern; people wondering, "is everything ok over there?"

To ease the fears and concerns of my friends and family, I decided to write about why I believe there is no cause for alarm surrounding a similar uprising in the UAE.  What has happened in Tunisia and what is occurring in Egypt are problems of a strong handed government.  A government, I am told has neglected its' people.  A government that has allowed it's people to go jobless, homeless and to ultimately  become, hopeless, but that is not the case in the UAE.  At least, not for now.  The Emirates are happy here.  They have everything that the rest of the world is working so hard to acquire.  They have it all, handed to them for free.

In the UAE, housing, education, medical and a monthly salary is provided for its' citizens.  The best jobs are given first to the Emirates, even without a formal education.  If they choose to graduate from high school and go on to college, the government foots the entire bill and even continues to pay them their full salary while they are studying.  They even encourage them to study abroad and if their spouse goes with them, the spouse is allowed to take a leave of absence from work, if they work, and still receive full pay.  If they don't work, they continue receiving a "salary" similar to our welfare system in the U.S., but the amount of money doesn't even compare.

The nationals here in the UAE want for nothing.  Their government has and continues to provide for them quite well.  The only problem is the fact that the government realizes that their oil money won't last forever and they are eagerly encouraging the Emirates to pursue higher education.  The nationals are slow to take heed and because of that, the future of this great and wealthy company could be reversed in a matter of a few decades.


As for now, the people are well taken care of and that alone, will prevent a similar situation from happening in the UAE as it has happened in Tunisia and now Egypt.  The nationals are too content to complain about their "good" thing.  Besides we all wish we had what they have, without the bureaucracy, control and lack of freedom that comes along with a socialist society.  Who wouldn't want free health care, free education, a tax-free, unearned salary and free housing.  While it does sound good, I have learned, even free comes with a hefty price tag.