A Guide: How Not To Say Stupid Stuff About Egypt

[Fumesucker]

http://sarthanapalos.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/a-guide-how-not-to-say-stupid-stuff-about-egypt/

The past few days I have heard so many stupid things from friends, blogs, pundits, correspondents, politicians, experts, writers that I want to pull my hair. So, I will not beat around the bush, I will be really blunt and give you a handy list to keep you from offending Egyptians, Arabs and the world when you discuss, blog or talk about Egypt. Honestly, I would think most Progressives would know these things, but let’s get to it.

I am so impressed at how articulate Egyptians are.” Does this sound familiar? Imagine saying this about a Latino or African American? You don’t say it. So don’t say it about Egyptians. Gee, thank you oh great person who is of limited experience and human contact for recognizing that out of 80 million people some could be articulate, educated and speak many languages. Not cool. Don’t say it. You may think it, but it makes you sound like a dumb ass.

This is so sad”: No, sad were the thirty years of oppression, repression and torture.

” I loved Sadat”: Mubarak was made of the same cloth of Sadat. Same repression, same ill-treatment of their people, yet you were all in love with Sadat. Hmm, where and when do you think the repression started? The State Of Emergency? Sadat was not loved by the Egyptian people. Why do you love Sadat?



<more at the link>

[xchrom]

1. blunt and funny and true. nt

[Catherina]

2. Rec'd n/t

[phantom power]

3. I have endeavored to keep my mouth shut about what's going on in Egypt.

So far, it's working.

[orwell]

4. I love Cairo...

...where else would a man living on the street offer you tea.

I was ready to move there.

Everyone should have a chance to visit Egypt once in their life.

The people are beautiful.

[OnionPatch]

7. I agree about the people.

I could tell many a story about the amazing hospitality I received there.

[Dorian Gray]

5. I like it

I think there is a lot of condescension when talking about Egypt, as though it is a 3rd World Hell Hole, without thousands of years of history and culture.

[lukasahero]

6. k&r

required reading

[gateley]

8. K&R nt

[lapislzi]

9. Thanks for this important post

Please forgive us our collective ignorance. I, for one, had been taught that Sadat was one of the good guys. By and large, Americans absorb a very pro-Israeli agenda and vocabulary. I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in the 60s and 70s. Everyone celebrated Israel like it was the greatest thing ever (and it was, if you parents escaped Europe in the 40s and 50s). I never questioned that until much later in life. I still struggle with questions about Israel and its relationship to the rest of the world, and the Arab world in particular. Not a topic for this thread, but I wanted to bring some clarity and background to the dialogue.

Most Americans are ignorant of history, and ignorant of the world around them. That's an agenda, too, handed down from on high and passed from pillar to post, generation to generation. It takes courage, brains, and curiosity to overcome that.

I pledge to continue to read and learn.

[lapislzi]

10. This needs a kick n/t

[Blue_Tires]

11. k+r

[Hissyspit]

12. "Don't say this shit."

“'If they get Democracy they will elect extremists.' Imagine if the world said that about America. The Tea Party threatens world stability, as did the Bush administration. How would you like if others used that as a threat to support an autocrat who made all opposing parties illegal? In truth, US politics threaten world stability more than Egypt does. Second, the implication is that democracy is not to be trusted in the hands of “certain” nations, people and religions is offensive, racist and ignorant. You do not claim to value human rights, democracy and freedom and then you make exclusions based on race, nationality and religion. Don’t say this shit."