During my contemplations and observations about American society, I managed to theorize this stark contrast between it and that of Egypt and the developing world. The conclusion I came to is that we have more life.
Sure, one may argue that the political and economic situation in the Middle East is much more dire than that of the US and that people here live the most comfortable world, but we truly love life for its simplicity; we don't need the lush green back lawn, the 50 inch rim pick up truck, and the hollow materialistic assets that the modern consumerist in the US lives on.
It saddens me to see how we try to imitate the American model of living the large life. It is now trendy to proclaim one's self as an "Americani", to wear a certain clothing line and to identify one's self with certain subculture. I would hate to see us turn into them. Americans live in their small bubble of supporting their local sports team, listening to a certain genre of music and identifying with a certain culture (e.g. the ghetto, southern, punk, blah blah blah culture). Why can't one identify with them self, why can't I be my own culture in this country?! This need to identify with a certain culture demotes originality and creativity since you are constantly driven to conform with something. You are looked down upon for being yourself. Talking about insecurity complexes?!
On the contrary, when I think of the ordinary Egyptian or person from the poor world, I feel like there is so much life in their smile. We know that we have been around for thousands of years, so even though this period of time may be dire, we know we'll get through and survive. For Americans, everything is a defining moment. Its sad that the only way for them to stir patriotism in a nation like this is to rally people around some national cause, such as launching a war or a presidential election where people vote for who assimilates more to their "culture".
For us, we have so much to appreciate. We have families that love us, we have traditions that are timeless, we know that our identity is carved in the stones of time, we don't have any insecurities about life. Sure, we might be anxious about what is ahead of us. We might even be frustrated. But the gravest problem that I see about Egyptians is their negative attitude and outlook at life. If you look at what you have around you, if you take the time to look at the Nile, the sunset, the old Parisian buildings of Cairo, the mild weather, the Kornesh of Alexandria, even the smiles of children playing football in the slums of Cairo, you'll realize how much life we have, how we take pleasure in the simple things about life.
Personally, I have become so nostalgic. I miss cruising around Cairo with friends, hang out in cafes in near the Nile and in Heliopolis where we can just lay back, relax, puff on Shisha and enjoy a good meal.
Or, I might be wrong. Maybe life is about enjoying your huge HDTV, you amazing sound system, and all the materialism that comes with consumerism. Isn't that all we have come to think about here in the States. As for me, I have come to see such a subtle beauty in poverty and simplicity in life. I wish life weren't so harsh on those who represent these values so that they are constantly preoccupied with how they are going to make their next pay check and take the time to enjoy the intrinsic beauty of the environment they live in.
1 comment:
hapiness is not about what you have, its about what you feel and how you share it.
i think that in middle east countries we all know how to share possesions and feelings...and sometimes things are very meaningless when you cannot share it with anybody=)
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