It has been amazing over the past few days watching people celebrate the toppling of the “Mubarak Empire”, an empire whose existence became the most hot-seated issue overnight, but remained barely criticized by the general mass (outside Egypt) until the revolution was televised. As I continued to dissect the Egyptian political structure following the “intense” news updates every moment, few disconcerting thoughts kept passing my mind that will hang on for a much longer period after the revolution-tide subsides. Let me put it this way, do we really honor revolutions, or are they celebrated because they give a kick to our humdrum existence of conformity? Why do we need a “televised revolution” to evoke political thoughts, while our conscience remain complacent disregarding (or being ignorant about) hundreds and thousands of struggle that are not “blockbusters”!
My thought on the celebration of revolution is not mere suspicion. Though I certainly feel that heroic acts (by individuals or the people) needs to be celebrated, but if we reflect on ourselves, how many of us are ready to share a slice of “unconventionality” (set aside revolution) and walk the walk in our everyday lives, from choosing grocers to making decisions about livelihoods! The overthrowing of symbolic “dictators” are cheered, but the faceless forces that dictate our lives are “re-established” on their thrones after the most shameful abuse of power, with little scorn, and a lot of relief (reserving fringe incessant criticisms). Our emotions overflow with the “liberated” crowd in Egypt, but remain dry for the people of Dhinkia Village in Orissa, where thousands just lost their independence and livelihoods to POSCO!
Revolutions are mostly culminations of discontent, discontent towards the oppression by “power”. But following the pattern of recent upheavals around many parts of the globe, it seems that we have significantly narrowed our understanding of power. As our “free” society matures, we grow increasingly intolerant towards the dominance of individuals, while yielding to more complex and far more demanding power structures. That is why we probably choose to contend Mubarak and celebrate his demise, but not Wall Street.
P.S: Please do not confuse me with Mubarak sympathizer
4 comments:
I think what you are talking about are neo-liberal power structures. While it is easy point to a Mubarak and the State apparatus that he controls, it is way harder and almost impossible to nail down the power nodes in this maze of the neoliberal world we currently reside which in very significant ways includes even us - theintellectuals if I may dare say so.
I heard a joke on NDTV. Barkha Dutt in egypt covering what you rightly term a 'blockbuster' event. She's interviewing a young chap who tells the joke: mubarak goes to hell after death and people there ask him how he died. Hanging? No. Murder? No. Then? Facebook killed me, he says!
It took our television channels about 3-4 days before they thought of covering the event properly. But only after they had exhausted themselves with the plight of Indians stuck at the airport unable to catch a flight.
Your piece is short and is refreshing in its perspective. Write more, its necessary to jot down the thoughts.
@P, you're right..although I should have made this a little elaborate to avoid restricting myself to the neoliberal example..my intention stretches a little further.
@Sayantan, I suppose soon facebook revolution will be a suggested chapter in history books!
And your inspiration counts:)
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