Growing Up During the Egyptian Revolution

I grew up in my home country Egypt, in a time some may say I was lucky to have experienced and been a part of. I took part in helping a nation overthrow its dictator who reigned with tyranny longer than I had been alive. I am an Egyptian youth, who fought for my people’s stolen prosperity and withheld freedom against the famous thirty year old Mubarak regime. The Egyptian revolution was televised and kept under the global eye throughout each of its progressions, from start to end yet not holistic in merit.

Stories of glory and success seem to be the only ones shared from this era, however there exists a much more historical story. The extraordinary story of the boys of an entire nation rapidly and innately transforming into honorable men, which seems to not be shared so often. When the country was freed, so were all the men embedded in each boy, which left the nation grounded purely by men. Standing up for what you and yours believed in, protesting and fighting against corrupt authority did contribute to this transformation but instinctively protecting one’s family and community during some of your countries darkest and most vulnerable days was indeed the true factor.

During the transitioning stage of the revolution in which the collapse of the ruling régime and governing system was taking place, my country was left to dig itself out of an anarchic pit. Prisons were unlocked, police forces were commanded not to serve and the evilest of men were put in opportunities they only dreamed of. Each night was infested with rapings, thefts, murders and kidnappings. This was my country’s unspoken time of anarchy that it had to put itself through. Neighborhoods became territorial villages, food became currency, and your screams echoed ...

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Since this experience, I have adapted the same set of coping tactics, I was forced to learn, to any problem I am faced with; though none could compare in magnitude, they all relate in principle. Every successful night I endured resembled the dichotomy of either running from the reality of one’s problems or facing them head on in a grounded manner. I forever understand that one’s problems need to be faced with full attentiveness rather than with a thwarted mind. It has aided my ability in staying true and honorable to my choices and innately confident in my actions which are rare virtues to grasp. Had me or many others in my position were too busy being ungrounded and worried by the experience, the likely hood of any of us properly protecting our homes if attacked was slim. The country’s new found glory, honor and rebirth fit properly for story tales, however the