Letters to the Editor

Walk Like an Egyptian

Ken Cooper’s Feb. 17 editorial “A revolution yet to come” in Egypt reminds us all that despite the revolution being tweeted, televised, e-mailed round the world and extensively written about, real change takes time.

It took more than 30 years for the people of Egypt to end autocratic rule. While this is the first step of many, a more representative government of the people, by the people and for the people is a closer reality.

But the events in Egypt teach a greater lesson for the world and are epitomized by a sign a demonstrator in Wisconsin carried, fighting the potential loss of teaching jobs and union collective bargaining rights. The sign read: “Walk like an Egyptian.”

This simple play on words from a 1986 hit rock title compels us all to continue to discuss, organize, stand-up and take to the streets if necessary when government is no longer of the people, by the people and for the people.

Walking like an Egyptian is a call to action that reminds us that our democracy often times requires we follow in the footsteps of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. in peaceful protest to expose injustice and right what is wrong.

Thinking closer to home in District 7, in the midst of celebrating Black History Month, we all recognize many have given their lives for the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.

One of those freedoms is the right to vote. Given an extremely low special election voter turnout rate for the District 7 councilor seat on Feb. 15, one would think of the people, by the people and for the people had secured better schools, fair allocation development construction jobs, job opportunities, business investment and a brighter economic future for District 7.

It’s fitting that events in Egypt would take place during Black History Month because we’re all reminded that their struggle is not too different than our own. We owe it to ourselves and those who came before us to “Walk like an Egyptian” to our nearest voting center and cast our vote!

Rodney Singleton
Roxbury

+ Add Comment

Mar 2 2:45am by Theran Singleton [71.233.251.231]

In an effort to give a thoughtful response, I decided not to read Ken Cooper's editorial regarding the current situation in Egypt. From a distance, we were all able to tweet, email or watch CNN while those living in Egypt could not. Yes, real change takes time and we all interpret change diffferently.

In my opinion, the autocratic rule began more than 30 years ago when Egypt was Kemet. As the first great civilazation in Africa, Kemet was known as the "land of black faces." Since 1981, Mubarak ignored the opportunity to make a difference and chose to use his power to serve his personal agenda while ignoring the people.

I will admit that I have no clue what it is like to "Walk like an Egyptian." If at that protest, I would have held a sign with my favotite quote from Ghandi. " Be the change that you want to see in the world."

Those who made sacrifices, put their families in danger and faced death, on a daily basis wanted to "be the change." By casting your vote, we will "see" the change that they were fighting for.