I'll be the first to admit that this wasn't always the case, especially growing up in Chicago. However I found that the older I grew, the more appreciative I was of my amazing heritage and culture, and the more at home I felt with all things arabic.
I'm writing this article not to extol the virtues of Arab culture and lifestyle, but of Arab nationalism. We are a people criticized in so many aspects by Western culture that I believe that many arabs have begun to negatively internalize this perspective. The youth rebel against their heritage and declare themselves "modern," renouncing all ties to their homeland. This saddens me so much that I find myself emboldened to change their viewpoints. As a proud Egyptian-American I cannot but be astounded at the rich history that I have been born with, and the legacy that I must now uphold.
All this comes at a time of political and social turmoil, surmounting greatly in my home country of Egypt. With the nation's president ardently refusing to leave - a disgusting choice that leaves you questioning his humanity, indeed if he still has any - chaos ensues in the streets of Cairo and Alexandria. Egyptian people are forced to protect their families from looters, standing outside their buildings at night wielding any weapons they might possess. Building are burning and stores are being robbed, yet Egyptians everywhere still refuse to give up their right to democracy.
I am so proud to be Egyptian. I am so proud to be Arab. If it were not for the Tunisian people standing up for their own rights Egypt might have been silent for decades more. Even Yemen and Jordan have begun to see that they deserve more than dictatorship. They deserve humanity.
Regardless of what western television and film makes out an Arab to be, a true Arab is not defined by religion and social class or beards and funny accents. A true Arab knows where he comes from, and strives to achieve more for his people. A true Arab realizes that differences do not undo centuries worth of history. A true Arab supports the rise of democracy and the proclamation of Freedom, and rejects the rule of tyrants and dictators. A true Arab would support the revolution in Egypt.
Ta7ya Masr.
I'm writing this article not to extol the virtues of Arab culture and lifestyle, but of Arab nationalism. We are a people criticized in so many aspects by Western culture that I believe that many arabs have begun to negatively internalize this perspective. The youth rebel against their heritage and declare themselves "modern," renouncing all ties to their homeland. This saddens me so much that I find myself emboldened to change their viewpoints. As a proud Egyptian-American I cannot but be astounded at the rich history that I have been born with, and the legacy that I must now uphold.
All this comes at a time of political and social turmoil, surmounting greatly in my home country of Egypt. With the nation's president ardently refusing to leave - a disgusting choice that leaves you questioning his humanity, indeed if he still has any - chaos ensues in the streets of Cairo and Alexandria. Egyptian people are forced to protect their families from looters, standing outside their buildings at night wielding any weapons they might possess. Building are burning and stores are being robbed, yet Egyptians everywhere still refuse to give up their right to democracy.
I am so proud to be Egyptian. I am so proud to be Arab. If it were not for the Tunisian people standing up for their own rights Egypt might have been silent for decades more. Even Yemen and Jordan have begun to see that they deserve more than dictatorship. They deserve humanity.
Regardless of what western television and film makes out an Arab to be, a true Arab is not defined by religion and social class or beards and funny accents. A true Arab knows where he comes from, and strives to achieve more for his people. A true Arab realizes that differences do not undo centuries worth of history. A true Arab supports the rise of democracy and the proclamation of Freedom, and rejects the rule of tyrants and dictators. A true Arab would support the revolution in Egypt.
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