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[Originally posted on Blogger during my angry politics phase. Please take this journal with a grain of salt and realize I've grown a lot since then. :)]
Last night, Tunisian President Ben Ali, who has ruled the country for 23 years, declared he would not seek re-election in 2014. For years, he has maintained power by rigging election after election and ruthlessly crushing all potential rivals. Civil liberties have been non-existent, and the press has been severely curtailed when it has been allowed to function at all. Make no mistake; this is a tremendous day for the Tunisian people, who have lived under authoritarian rule since the country regained its independence in 1956.
In addition to declaring he would be stepping down in 2014, Ben Ali finally recognized the need for reforms across the board, notably including freedom of speech in his statements. Immediately following the broadcast, Internet blocks on many major websites were removed, and prominent opposition leaders appeared on live television to discuss the impending changes. This is a momentous change for a country that was rated 164 out of 178 in the Press Freedom Index (2010) and 144 out of 169 in the Economist's Democracy Index (2008). Obviously, the situation is still uncertain, as Ali controls the armed forces and security services, but it seems very unlikely he would be able to walk his statements back even if he chose to do so.
It is important to recognize those who made this progress possible. The everyday Tunisian resident who risked life and limb in the protests are the primary force behind this change, and they have braved bullets and curfews alike to make any reform possible. The leader too, brutal though he has been, realizes that change is coming, and rather than choosing to fight, has chosen to stop the violence for now. Although it is likely that he did it as a gambit to save himself and his family, it will likely save many lives in the upcoming days.
The cyberwar happening behind the scenes has also contributed greatly to the process, by enabling people to speak freely against the governments wishes and providing them with information about their government. Much of the most valuable information provided comes directly from the Wikileaks Cablegate leak that so many have condemned. Think what you will of that organization, it seems very unlikely that the US government would have been half as helpful to the Tunisian people. Beyond the simple release of this information to the Tunisian people, it is also unlikely that Anonymous would have become involved in the online conflict within the country. Without the leak, many people who helped in the online battles would likely have never heard of the country, let alone known why the people were revolting or why they needed, and deserved, help.
All the time, I hear people utter the phrase "You can't change the world." If that was true, we'd not have made it this far, seen and done all the wonderful things we have managed to eek out over the centuries. Humanity may stumble at times, but we always get back on our feet and move forward towards a better tomorrow. Today in Tunisia, light is creeping up over the horizon on a country that has made their choice and taken a stand against injustice and oppression. Events like these give us hope for the future. No matter how dark the world may seem at times, and no matter how far we may yet have to go, we must never lose the willingness to try. The long, twilight struggle is upon us, but there is always hope.
Last night, Tunisian President Ben Ali, who has ruled the country for 23 years, declared he would not seek re-election in 2014. For years, he has maintained power by rigging election after election and ruthlessly crushing all potential rivals. Civil liberties have been non-existent, and the press has been severely curtailed when it has been allowed to function at all. Make no mistake; this is a tremendous day for the Tunisian people, who have lived under authoritarian rule since the country regained its independence in 1956.
In addition to declaring he would be stepping down in 2014, Ben Ali finally recognized the need for reforms across the board, notably including freedom of speech in his statements. Immediately following the broadcast, Internet blocks on many major websites were removed, and prominent opposition leaders appeared on live television to discuss the impending changes. This is a momentous change for a country that was rated 164 out of 178 in the Press Freedom Index (2010) and 144 out of 169 in the Economist's Democracy Index (2008). Obviously, the situation is still uncertain, as Ali controls the armed forces and security services, but it seems very unlikely he would be able to walk his statements back even if he chose to do so.
It is important to recognize those who made this progress possible. The everyday Tunisian resident who risked life and limb in the protests are the primary force behind this change, and they have braved bullets and curfews alike to make any reform possible. The leader too, brutal though he has been, realizes that change is coming, and rather than choosing to fight, has chosen to stop the violence for now. Although it is likely that he did it as a gambit to save himself and his family, it will likely save many lives in the upcoming days.
The cyberwar happening behind the scenes has also contributed greatly to the process, by enabling people to speak freely against the governments wishes and providing them with information about their government. Much of the most valuable information provided comes directly from the Wikileaks Cablegate leak that so many have condemned. Think what you will of that organization, it seems very unlikely that the US government would have been half as helpful to the Tunisian people. Beyond the simple release of this information to the Tunisian people, it is also unlikely that Anonymous would have become involved in the online conflict within the country. Without the leak, many people who helped in the online battles would likely have never heard of the country, let alone known why the people were revolting or why they needed, and deserved, help.
All the time, I hear people utter the phrase "You can't change the world." If that was true, we'd not have made it this far, seen and done all the wonderful things we have managed to eek out over the centuries. Humanity may stumble at times, but we always get back on our feet and move forward towards a better tomorrow. Today in Tunisia, light is creeping up over the horizon on a country that has made their choice and taken a stand against injustice and oppression. Events like these give us hope for the future. No matter how dark the world may seem at times, and no matter how far we may yet have to go, we must never lose the willingness to try. The long, twilight struggle is upon us, but there is always hope.
