The Revelations of Revolution

Over the past few weeks it has finally dawned on me that our Big Society (all of us) is as nonchalant about our communal concerns as I am about my personal problems. This is a somewhat unsatisfactory victory for the Uncommon Man, but a victory nonetheless, and I really like winning. As I adjusted to my increased serotonin levels and relief thrived within, I realised that I might have more than the merest semblance of normality about me – this has spurred me on no end – everything had a shinier hue and each step a spring… I Got Things Done. In an unprecedented development I was even interacting optimistically with my fellow man; yes, I was borderline chatty. It was in this chatty phase of mine however I discovered the apparent truth that we are far from nonchalant. Our attitude towards our society’s problems isn’t blasé at all, it’s despondent. It’s depressed. It’s discouraged from actually doing anything about it with misdirection and spin, by an overwhelming feeling of powerlessness and the sentiment that simply we must retain our still upper lip at all costs.

Bizarrely, even whilst we’re more inclined to be up in arms about global affairs rather than Jordan’s latest divorce, attempts at solidarity over budget cuts and the rising cost of necessities seem to end up in a shuffling of feet and ‘mustn’t grumbles’ all around. I’ll go out on a limb here and predict a steady rise in hospital admissions for peptic ulcers over the next few years because if we’re angry about the way we’re being buggered by the government then collectively, we seem to stomach it well.

Those global affairs then, the focus of our attentions currently, seem to be the uprisings across the Arab world. I’m not surprised that this is all we’re talking about seeming as this subject has (quite rightly) dominated the rolling news coverage we’re treated to, since the beginning of the year. This really is history in the making and has generated a wide range of emotions across the world, even Nick Clegg found it “exciting”.

On 14/01/11 Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled Tunisia, relinquishing power after 23 years. This has great significance globally – not that a coup such as this isn’t generally significant – but because this was not a coup at all. This was a popular uprising by a pissed off population. A population which had its fill of a poor standard of living and meagre wages perpetuated by an autocratic leader hell-bent on the unscrupulous and unchallenged lavishing of wealth and prosperity on his family, his friends, his government and himself. A selfish tyrant punished and we’ve seen it all in HD, we’ve witnessed first hand that rarest of victories, a victory for the people over the powers which repress them. This situation is all types of encouraging. It encourages citizens to be aware of their own political situation. It encourages fear in the leaders of other nations who know that they could treat their people better. It encourages hope.

It’s worth noting that the leaders of other Arab nations will be hoping for complete disorder in Tunisia, if only to discourage similar instances under their rule. Suddenly, rafts of concessions are being made to the public in countries like Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and Algeria and it’s clear that some governments have cause for concern. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of understanding that this was not a victory for Extremism, this was not a victory for invading forces determined to install democracy, this was pure people power. As I write this now, after 18 days of the worst type of oppression the people of Egypt have erupted in celebration after hearing that President Mubarak has finally surrendered his position. History in the making!

To think that all of this started with just one man, Mohamed ‘Basboosa’ Bouazizi, A 26 year old computer science graduate who, as the main breadwinner for his family of 8 sold fruit and vegetables out of a barrow in the markets of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, earning less than £100 a month. On 17/12/10 Basboosa set out his stall on a street corner as usual before he was approached by a female municipal inspector and two other officers, who informed him that his merchandise was to be confiscated due to his lack of a permit. Trading Permits were needed for all forms of business and were often purchased with a bribe. Having refused to pay such a bribe Basboosa was slapped and spat upon by the municipal officer. To be degraded in such a manner by a woman was the ultimate humiliation. Beaten, bloodied and with his equipment seized by the supporting officers, Basboosa visited the Municipal Office a short walk away and demanded they return his property. He was promptly beaten up once more. After his requests to see a governor, an official, anyone who might help him fell on deaf ears home he went and returned soon after with a bottle of paint thinner and a lighter. He doused himself in his petrol thinner and, for a last time, requested to see an official. Desperate, he lit a flame and ignited himself, suffering 3^rd degree burns to 90% of his body.

The protestations started immediately. Within hours a crowd had amassed at the governor’s office where it all began. Within days social networking sites had helped spread the cause, the anger palpable, people had taken enough. As photographs emerged of President Ben Ali looking forlorn at the hospital bedside of a dying Basboosa in a cynical attempt at solidarity with his people, suicides in the midst of demonstrations were reported, and the crowds continued to swell. On 04/01/11, Mohamed ‘Basboosa’ Bouazizi passed away and what’s being called The Jasmine Revolution exploded. The government of Tunisia saw the consequences of 23 years of tyranny. A week later and Ben Ali was gone.

So what does this mean for me and thee? I’d suggest that the next opportunity we get to express our feelings about the rising cost of education, the closing of a local library, cuts to our healthcare or transport service, rises in tax, or the loss of a benefit or a job, we take it. If ever the feeling that your elected government is treating you unfairly, is costing you more than is reasonable or isn’t giving you the help that is your right to merely survive day-to-day, speak up. Even if only to a friend or a neighbour and even if it’s just to make you feel better, it’s worth it – not only is it worth it, you might just find out that you’re not the only one feeling this way. It is worth bearing in mind that we can’t trust our government to tell us truthfully what they have planned for us anymore, let alone how we can prepare for the effects. It’s worth considering just how well these austerity measures imposed upon us are actually working. The banks are benefiting more than anyone will let us, the general public think whilst all the while we pay more and more for less and less. As the revelations of revolution permeate the globe the one realisation which should hit every conscious human being is that with a purpose, some passion and a little persistence we can achieve anything. There are alternatives, always.