For a Nonviolent Revolution.
Egyptian people should not give up easily, injustice and deaths must stop, the revolution means claiming for what belongs to them and still in the 21st century they do not have: freedom. Since 2011, when millions of Protestants from different socio economic and religious backgrounds overthrew the regime of President Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians demand police brutality, lack of free elections, corruption, freedom of speech, and “the state of emergency laws” which prohibited all non governmental political activity or street demonstrations. At the same time, people were tired of being unemployed, having low wages and still paying a high inflation for food. It is really disgraceful to have this kind of issue at this time of the century, where “revolution” should be an old fashioned word to claim for basic rights.
The transition to democracy in 2011, regrettably failed. Islamist parties had won the elections, but this democratically elected parliament was dissolved in June 2012. The “Muslim brotherhood” candidate Mohammed Morsi became president just under 52 percent of the votes. Of course this was a perfect opportunity for the Muslim brotherhood, hungry for power after waiting for decades under Mubarak’s rules. This government, as it was expected, was dishonest and tried to monopolize power making social and economic reforms. Luckily, things seemed to be going to the fair side when activists, journalists, and even TV personalities criticized Morsi openly. Consequently, the intolerant president ordered to arrest the comedian Jon Stewart for exercising free speech. As a result, this democracy failure brought another crisis for the country in 2013.
Egyptian people would not let authorities abuse of their power once more. A year later, on July 3, a mass of antigovernment protests and the military power, took Morsi into custody and formed an interim civilian leadership. This generated, naturally, the competition between dozens of political parties desiring power. Anxiety and uncertainty over the future of the country, are the feelings for those people who want peace and respect for their lives and rights. Obviously the protests provoked chaos and more deaths. Labor strikes, mistrust between Islamism and secular parties, and tension between Muslim and Christian have started. Moreover, the criminal activities and violence in some cities are inevitable because of the poor security in the streets.
Once more, people have to pay with their lives the consequences of a government that did not adapt correctly to democracy. It is really unbelievable that still in the 21st century, it is the so advanced technological media that has to tell the world about a war or violent revolution in a certain country. Power and more power, it is all the great leaders and other politicians think about. While the opponents to Morsi celebrate a second revolution, what is just, his supporters sentence the “military coup” who is in power nowadays. But still there are the common people, waiting for a just democracy. Revolution is justice, in this case, but it should not mean deaths and war just for the sake of power. We do not know how all this will end, but we should bear in mind that every human being have rights, and they should be respected naturally. But the reality shows us that there is still necessary to claim for what should be naturally given.
Thesis statement:
Egyptian people should not give up easily, injustice and deaths must stop, the revolution means claiming for what belongs to them and still in the 21st century they do not have: freedom. (Argumentative thesis statement)
Graphic organizer:
Sources:
Gamel, K. (2013). What's Going On In Egypt: A Brief Explanation. Retrieved from:
Egyptian Revolution of 2011. Retrieved from:
Manfreda, P. (2013). Current Situation in Egypt. Retrieved from:
