Egypt, New York is a small township in the western part of the state. In order to find it on a map, you will have to reference the most local atlas at your library. There are hardly any search inquiries for Egypt on the internet. Search Egypt, NY and you will probably be directed to a flight booking website offering flights from New York City to Cairo. The most famous person from Egypt is probably the local pastor. Everyone in Egypt, NY probably knows each other and likes each other as well.
That's why I was surprised when protesters in Madison, WI were comparing their living conditions to the people in Egypt. Since most of these Midwesterners have never been to the Middle East, it only made sense to me that they were referring to Egypt, NY. Of course it seemed unlikely that so many Wisconsinites knew this quaint town a few miles away from where I grew up, but this seemed like the only logical explanation for their deep knowledge of the conditions in Egypt.
But as I listened and observed to what they were saying about Egypt and how it related to their current "struggle" in Madison, I realized they were actually alluding to the recent protests in Egypt...the country. I understood the protest parallel but frankly, it made little to no sense to me how this union protest in Madison, WI, one of the most liberal friendly towns in America, could remind anyone of the turbulent and sometimes violent struggle thousands of miles away.
There was one sign that read, "I went to Rome, and came back to Egypt." Clearly, the bearer of this sign must have experienced harsh dictatorship, unaffordable food prices and fear of death when he got home. Sounds like he should have stayed in Rome.
I guess it becomes even more obvious how absurd these metaphor slinging, attention-whores have gotten, when their standard bearer, Mr. Jon Stewart, has dropped them like they're hot.
On his quasi-news, quasi-comedy, yet totally entertaining, Daily Show, Stewart called out those stupid enough to make the Madison to Egypt comparison by setting the facts straight. First, that people have very short memories and tend to use the most recent news story to create some kind of world narrative that doesn't quite add up. Protest is part of human nature. Just because two are going on at the same time does not mean that they are in any way, shape or form, related (direct quote from Stewart). In fact, I even believe some protesters in Madison thought they were carrying some imaginary torch passed on to them from Egypt, when they decided to take to the streets. When I hear such sentiments as "I'm now part of history" I cannot refrain from taking the protesters less seriously. Last time I checked, history only takes place years after a given time or event. Maybe, it's the social networking phenomenon that convinced us that we can instantly be a part of history. After all, that kind of technology has already made us more self-oriented than ever before.
The second point Stewart made was no where in Madison, WI nor the United States of America for that matter, are protesters being exposed to oncoming bullets or savage mob activity. In fact, people around the world have been providing free food and drink to the Madison protesters, via local delivery services. I think it would be nice if some of the protesters in Egypt had gotten a free slice of pizza when they were trying to dodge bullets. It would only seem fair.
The third point, and most revealing in my mind, was reminding everyone that Governor Walker was elected with 52% of the state's vote just months ago. Everyone knew who Scott Walker was and what he was going to do. Those who didn't, should have done some research on him or not have voted for him in the first place. Supposedly, there should be around 52% of Wisconsinites who agree with this collective bargain-squashing bill. Unfortunately, there are much less than that figure, because people didn't do their homework. Or maybe, the Obamaniacs weren't as energized as they were in 2008 and weren't able to swing a very impressionable segment of the Wisconsin population. Either way, Walker is no Mubarak. If anything, he's just the tails on a heads or tails flip for control of the governorship (or at least the way it usually breaks down in such a purple state).
What's most disturbing about this sensationalism is that it does not give brave protesters who risk their lives for what they believe in, a fair shake. By making outlandish comparisons to situations we don't even understand, we are minimalizing the contribution those in the Middle East are making towards democracy (or at least hopefully, towards that end). I know, it's not a lot of people who were making this analogy but it would have been assuring if those in their ranks could have spoken up and told them to leave the bull shit at home. That above most other things, would have at least convinced me that these protesters in Madison, WI have some real courage.
