http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jul/17/revolution-egypt-hippy-movement
Activists in Egypt should look to the hippy movement of the 60s for a
successful model in bringing about long-term social change
Osama Diab
17 July 2010
Since the establishment of the Kifaya (Enough) movement in 2004, the
Egyptian political scene has changed dramatically. If this continues,
political resistance in Egypt is likely to become much more dynamic
than it has been since the 1952 revolution, which overthrew the
monarchy and established a republic in Egypt.
Movements such as Kifaya, April 6 youth movement and the national
coalition for change headed by Mohamed Elbaradei, have all played
their part in making the political life of Egypt less stagnant. They
have managed to increase the margins of freedom and push for
political reforms and will continue to do so, but they can't do it alone.
These groups all focus on short-term political gains. Their demands
focus on short-term goals constitutional change, free and fair
elections, putting an end to emergency law but they often ignore
the most important element that could drive real change in the
future: social change.
With a society that is reversing social progress and embracing
conservative values, the pushing for democracy and equality may find
few supporters. Many in Egypt still do not recognise the equality of
women and embrace discrimination against religious and ethnic
minorities. Some discard democracy and human rights as a western
invention and as part of an imperialist agenda. What Egypt needs,
rather than a few groups preaching against the current regime and
political system, is a durable social movement that decades from now
can influence politicians and decision-makers.
Look, for example, at the social and political impact the hippy
movement had in the US and, arguably, the entire world. Some argue
that America wouldn't have had a black president if it wasn't for the
social progress and momentum built in the 1960s.
The reason behind the hippies' success in changing the course of
history is not only their anti-war sentiments, care for the
environment, or their criticism of middle-class values and big
corporate practices. These are values that were all preached by
others long before the hippies.
No, what made the hippy movement attract millions of youths in the US
and globally was the subculture to carry their messages, rather than
the value of the message itself. Their hip and exotic fashion, music
and lifestyle is what appealed to tens of millions of youths confused
by the Vietnam war and examining the values of their parents. The new
fashion they created, and the focus of art and culture in their
movement, made it easier for their message to spread.
Whether we agree or disagree with the values of the hippy movement,
one can't deny that it had its own distinctive culture creating one
of the strongest social revolutions in history. Its emphasis on
equality and environmental and pacifist values still influence the
world today, and its subculture became part of American mainstream
culture in the 1970s.
Here in Egypt, a country that puts so much emphasis on people's
gender, social class and religion, a strong grassroots social
movement and a subculture needs to emerge with a list of social,
political and environmental demands. Ayman Massoud, the keyboardist
of the Arabic rock band Massar Egbari ("compulsory direction"),
explained to me what they mean by the name of the band. In his view,
society draws a compulsory direction for us to take in order to fit
society's idea of what is proper and successful.
"If someone wants to become a drummer, their parents will tell them
to finish college first and then they can do whatever they want. But
after they finish college, society will force them to find a job and
practise their hobby on the side. After that, they will become too
drained from their jobs and gradually forget about their old dream,"
says Massoud.
Egyptian dissidents don't have to and should not follow the
footsteps of others, but establish a culture that will make it easier
to promote their beliefs. I wrote before in Egypt Today about how an
underground music scene is emerging in Egypt focusing more on
societal issues. This scene appeals to those who are tired of a pop
scene dominated by attractive singers chiming love songs to western
beats: music that avoids issues facing Egyptian youths today. This
can be the root from which a new subculture can stem.
A movement like this would likely face huge social condemnation. It
is inevitable it will be described as a threat to national security
by the regime and a threat to society and its values by religious
groups, but new ideas and social change are often faced with resistance.
Khaled Diab pointed out in Brian Whitaker's book, What's Really Wrong
with the Middle East, that Egypt has a million Mubaraks meaning
that authoritarianism in Egypt exists not only in the political
leadership, but also in families, schools and workplaces. As long as
people themselves don't believe in values of democracy and liberty,
no number of political groups lobbying for change will succeed in
pushing for reform.
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