Egypt: Rewriting History?

History is written by two groups - the victors, and the middle classes.

I am reminded of this following an interview/book review with Egyptian author Ahdaf Soueif, by Julie Tomlin, in the current issue of the Camden New Journal. Ms Soueif, who divides her time between Cairo and London has a book to promote "Cairo My City, Our Revolution" and talks wearily of the 'betrayal' of the Egyptian revolution by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).

What did annoy me was this little quote from Ahdaf Soueif's interview, where she states:

"The fact that people could act with such unity; that a civilian population could, unarmed and non-violent, force the removal of the head of a corrupt and brutal regime was a general cause for optimism."

She was a lot closer to the action than I was. But anyone following the news this time last year could see that the Egyptian people were anything but non-violent. How else can you describe the pitched battles in and around Tahrir Square between Mubarak's supporters and those who wanted change? How else do we account for the presence and perhaps critical involvement of Egyptian football hooligans in the fighting in Cairo against forces loyal to the dictatorship?

The good news is that the anti-Mubarak forces won, at least in terms of the battles of Tahrir Square. As the dust settles, it seems probable that they won the battle but lost the war. But that is no need to re-write history. I do hope Ahdaf Soueif's book is better than the interview suggests............

 

Comments

[Rasta]

Depends what you mean by "violence" I guess. Malcolm said self defence is not violence. Maybe she was distinguishing it from armed uprisings. Any "violence" by protesters was pure self-defence by unarmed (other than with rocks etc) people. I would say it's fair and accurate to call the weekly protests against the apartheid wall in west bank villages "non violent" even though they involve youths throwing stones (at heavily armed body armoured uniformed goons). So could also be in this case even if the sides might have been a bit more evenly matched at times when it was rock-throwing protesters vs rock-throwing hired thug drug addicts. Or, she could be trying to paint a picture that she thinks "the west" want to hear, in which case your criticism could be valid. Cos people should just speak the truth as they know it regardless of who they think wants to hear what. Anyway, up the revolution, down with the supreme council of armed forces, and big ups to the anarchists and all other progressive forces on the front lines. PS that definitely includes at least some muslim anarchists, even though you've gotten it into your head that that's an inherent contradiction in terms (but apparently doctrinaire 'marxists' who support israel as a so-called 'democratic state' like your (unintentionally) jokey boy 'redstar' are acceptable into the fold...?)

[wrinkle cream reviews]

Why is there fight all over the world? When will violence be stopped.

[Paul Stott]

When we all buy wrinkle cream?

[Rasta]

D'you know what Paul Stott... Ever since I heard your interview with Ian Bone about how you used to subsist on bowels of gruel fed to you out of old shoes after your dad lost his job as a thatcherite.. I thought 'I might not get along with this guy'..something about your voice, maybe I'm prejudiced against your accent...but after reading the comment above about the wrinkle cream I am thinking'this guy can't be all bad after all.' FUCK WRINKLE CREAMl!