Egypt’s Youth – What Is Really Going On?
In my previous post ‘A Moment of Epiphany’, I started to discuss Egypt’s youth but never fully concluded my remarks. This post will address the title’s question.
Is it really sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll? Young Egyptians have gone to extremes. There are those which decided to embark on the Islamist path and there are others which have turned to a life of hedonism and extreme indulgence. Thus for some, it certainly has become a life of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll but for others Islam holds the answer.
Having lived in the United States for quite some time, I’ve been exposed to a quintessential Western lifestyle – that of a ‘work hard, play hard’ philosophy. In my opinion, people in corporate America possess a peculiar schizophrenic personality. From Monday to about Friday afternoon, they present their serious, hard working, capitalist, money mongering personas but from Friday night to Sunday night, they are completely different people – the ideal consumer searching for happiness and utility.
The Christmas party I attended stunned me.
I tried as much as possible not to apply a double standard to Egypt’s social atmosphere. Given that I grew up in a pseudo-conservative society all my life, it was difficult for me to see the progression and the changes. Nonetheless, I am liberal and open minded, but what I experienced was far from anything Western.
The party was infested with drugs and copious amounts of drinking. The latter is totally acceptable coming from a Western society but the former has its legislative repercussions in almost all countries of the world (and even stricter persecution in the Arab world). The US and Europe are able to tolerate mild consumption of soft drugs (such as marijuana) but possession/consumption of hard drugs (such as cocaine, ecstasy and heroin) have an absolute zero-tolerance policy.
One word summed it up: indulgence.
I felt that young Egyptians – both males and females – felt that they needed to catch up on what they lacked not living in the West. There was a strong fascination with consumerism, materialism, Americanism and general aestheticism. This phenomenon draws many parallels to a Platonic mimesis. Although Plato and Aristotle used the concept of mimesis in the arts, mimesis can be seen as a method of cultural survival.
Given that imitation is a method of survival, what is this young generation trying to survive?
I believe they are trying to survive a ‘revolution.’ They are trying to survive a revolution incited against them and they themselves are trying to instigate a ‘passive revolution’ in retaliation.
The young crowd at the party was the crème de la crème of society – the haute couture, the upper echelon, the jetsetters and the globetrotters, the sons and daughters of wealthy businessmen and politicians. Last September’s presidential and parliamentary elections have proven to them that change is around the corner. In the eyes of those young, pleasure-searching, trigger-happy individuals this change will be for the worse. If the Muslim Brotherhood and its members attain majority seating in parliament as well as the presidential seat then it is highly likely that such extravagant and ostentatious Christmas parties might cease to exist.
At this point, it is difficult to determine the Brotherhood’s perspectives on basic domestic issues. For example, will they ban alcohol? Will they force women to wear the Hijab? Will they ban Western music? Will they censor the internet and satellite broadcasting? These have been questions occupying the minds’ of all Egyptians especially the young generation.
I call it a ‘passive revolution’ because as Egypt’s borders become more porous, Western ideals slowly and passively infiltrate. This should certainly be the case, young Egyptians need to be exposed to the West especially with regards to its socio-economic methods, functions and systems.
However, the problem is that the majority of the young, rich and powerful generation has employed a ‘play hard, play hard’ mentality on life. They fail to realize that Westerners are able to divide their life in a productive manner, working hard and rewarding themselves when the time is right. Moreover, given their apathetic political concerns (germinating from their aristocratic status), this young ‘hopeful’ generation does not understand that they hold the future of the country in their hands.
If Egypt’s youth seeks to turn their passive cultural revolution in to an active, progressive and forward thinking movement, they need to feel accountable and responsible. The possibilities look grim at this point and once they tackle the general ambiance of apathy plaguing them, there will certainly be room for a non-Islamist, liberal and secular change.
Is it really sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll? Young Egyptians have gone to extremes. There are those which decided to embark on the Islamist path and there are others which have turned to a life of hedonism and extreme indulgence. Thus for some, it certainly has become a life of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll but for others Islam holds the answer.
Having lived in the United States for quite some time, I’ve been exposed to a quintessential Western lifestyle – that of a ‘work hard, play hard’ philosophy. In my opinion, people in corporate America possess a peculiar schizophrenic personality. From Monday to about Friday afternoon, they present their serious, hard working, capitalist, money mongering personas but from Friday night to Sunday night, they are completely different people – the ideal consumer searching for happiness and utility.
The Christmas party I attended stunned me.
I tried as much as possible not to apply a double standard to Egypt’s social atmosphere. Given that I grew up in a pseudo-conservative society all my life, it was difficult for me to see the progression and the changes. Nonetheless, I am liberal and open minded, but what I experienced was far from anything Western.
The party was infested with drugs and copious amounts of drinking. The latter is totally acceptable coming from a Western society but the former has its legislative repercussions in almost all countries of the world (and even stricter persecution in the Arab world). The US and Europe are able to tolerate mild consumption of soft drugs (such as marijuana) but possession/consumption of hard drugs (such as cocaine, ecstasy and heroin) have an absolute zero-tolerance policy.
One word summed it up: indulgence.
I felt that young Egyptians – both males and females – felt that they needed to catch up on what they lacked not living in the West. There was a strong fascination with consumerism, materialism, Americanism and general aestheticism. This phenomenon draws many parallels to a Platonic mimesis. Although Plato and Aristotle used the concept of mimesis in the arts, mimesis can be seen as a method of cultural survival.
Given that imitation is a method of survival, what is this young generation trying to survive?
I believe they are trying to survive a ‘revolution.’ They are trying to survive a revolution incited against them and they themselves are trying to instigate a ‘passive revolution’ in retaliation.
The young crowd at the party was the crème de la crème of society – the haute couture, the upper echelon, the jetsetters and the globetrotters, the sons and daughters of wealthy businessmen and politicians. Last September’s presidential and parliamentary elections have proven to them that change is around the corner. In the eyes of those young, pleasure-searching, trigger-happy individuals this change will be for the worse. If the Muslim Brotherhood and its members attain majority seating in parliament as well as the presidential seat then it is highly likely that such extravagant and ostentatious Christmas parties might cease to exist.
At this point, it is difficult to determine the Brotherhood’s perspectives on basic domestic issues. For example, will they ban alcohol? Will they force women to wear the Hijab? Will they ban Western music? Will they censor the internet and satellite broadcasting? These have been questions occupying the minds’ of all Egyptians especially the young generation.
I call it a ‘passive revolution’ because as Egypt’s borders become more porous, Western ideals slowly and passively infiltrate. This should certainly be the case, young Egyptians need to be exposed to the West especially with regards to its socio-economic methods, functions and systems.
However, the problem is that the majority of the young, rich and powerful generation has employed a ‘play hard, play hard’ mentality on life. They fail to realize that Westerners are able to divide their life in a productive manner, working hard and rewarding themselves when the time is right. Moreover, given their apathetic political concerns (germinating from their aristocratic status), this young ‘hopeful’ generation does not understand that they hold the future of the country in their hands.
If Egypt’s youth seeks to turn their passive cultural revolution in to an active, progressive and forward thinking movement, they need to feel accountable and responsible. The possibilities look grim at this point and once they tackle the general ambiance of apathy plaguing them, there will certainly be room for a non-Islamist, liberal and secular change.
posted by The Egyptian Observer at 1:09 PM
3 Comments:
Egypeter. Thanks for your comments.
I think the article in Watani by Magdi Khalil is poignant and paints a 'realistic' picture of what would happen if they take power. I honestly agree with you, the questions I posed above will more than likely be affirmative.
My grandfather who is a member of parliament in Egypt mentioned that the MB's members actually possess quite different personalities and perspectives on certain issues.
For example, he mentioned that some of them do not own a TV and would like to ban all music from Egyptian society (especially Western). Whereas there are others which are concerned with the rights of women in the workplace and their equality with males.
His gravest concern was MB's approach to Israel. He believes that the internal metamorphism which will take place will find compromising grounds through the bufferings of liberals.
This is quite an optimistic perspective however he is still very concerned with their desire to apply Sharia Law to a society which has accepted Western ideals and influences.
Keep those articles and comments coming! :)
Just please don't fall in the trap of generalizing "Egyptian Youth". I personally know many that are doing there best to make Egypt a better place for their children. I know they are a nominal few and realistically speaking won't hold against the tide b ut I am positive they are worthy of mentioning in your blog...just a thoght...keep up the good work! Sam in Raleigh, NC
@Sam2. Certainly not. I, too, know of several young Egyptians who seek to make their country a better place. However, the sad reality is that they are a minority.
Praising them is very important so that they continue their hard work.
I definitely agree with you and I am trying as hard as possible to find more un-apathetic Egyptians who care enough to make their home country a better place.
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