Revolution Backtrack

Hmm. I have been planning to write about my abhorrence to violence and my selfish wish that in places like Syria and Uganda, where I have loved ones, revolution might be muted. My thinking was that I believe change is necessary in both places (for similar and different reasons). However, I realize that when revolution hits close to home, it’s harder to be clear cut on the outcomes if they involve putting these loved ones in possible harm’s way. And then bin Laden was killed and I was happy.


Before this big news, I received a phone call from Samson, my 16 African “son.” He was home on leave from boarding school and as we went through the usual litany of questions about school results (not great) and miscellaneous requests (basketball, denied.) I found myself bringing up the recent and still on-going riots in Uganda and getting quite practical about it. It was not a conversation about who was right and who was wrong. Instead I very sternly and clearly stated that Samson should stay out of Gulu and Kampala town centers and that if he did find trouble starting to brew he must promise me he would run away quickly. I explained that recent events often target young men and teenage boys, whose testosterone-infused curiosity makes it hard to walk away. “Please Samson, promise me you will run away.” “I promise Jess.” “Really?” “Yes, Jess I will run away.”

Similarly I watched my dear friend Hala well up with tears as she thought about her twin two year olds she just left in Damascus to visit New York. News from Syria is not good. At one stage she looked at me and asked “What do you think is going to happen Jess? “ And my reply was “Well, I thought you were going to tell me the answer to that.” As I looked at the pleading in her eyes, I realized that I had to provide her with an answer. Not based on my nuanced understanding of geopolitics and Syria, but based on a friendship that required comfort.

I do not want either one of these dear people and the places where they live to experience revolution. Change would be ok, but only if anarchy and violence do not ensue. Why does everyone want change so quickly, I started to ask myself? Surely a step by step approach, which includes rather than excludes current regimes, is the better approach. I find it troubling that my sympathies shifted away from clear and passionate support for necessary change now that it is personal.

With bin Laden’s death I got my answer to what I would do if I met Hitler. I am happy both are dead. I’m elated in fact that this terrible man has met his maker and that it was a US bullet that did it. I joined in with the USA chants. I thought for once, liberal guilt be gone! Who cares what this looks like outside of the US?

I understand the hypocritical implications of this.

I also understand better than ever that it’s harder to be absolute about something when it effects you personally. New York is my home. Damascus is Hala’s home. Gulu is Samson’s home.