The Arab Spring
The series of protests across the Middle East and North Africa that commenced in 2010 in what we now know as the Arab Spring as described in the article by AlSayyad and Guvenc (2015). It began in Tunisia when a 26-year-old fruit vendor, Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself on fire outside a government building. This happened after his harassment by a female police officer for operating without a business permit. The event occurred a day after the youths took to the streets to push their own agendas. These included rampant youth unemployment and low wages, which led the people to express dissatisfaction with their national regimes.
The Role of Media
It is highly unexpected that a lone street vendor would cause the commencement of such a huge movement but the power of the media definitely contributed. For a long time, the youth in the region had appreciated the use of social and mainstream media. They relied upon Facebook and Twitter upon heavily to aid in communication and to help in coordinating the people. Those who did not access the internet relied on mainstream media such as Al Jazeera, France 24, and Al Arabiya. The Arab Spring arising from their collective protest resulted in the ouster of rulers in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen.
Facing Challenges
The whole idea of individuals hurting themselves because they faced a challenge is not always the best strategy. This option is more akin to running away from the problem. Take a situation where the person in question is the main income earner to his or her family. In such cases, the family left behind does not have anyone to take care of them. Learning to face challenges head-on as they come, to communicate effectively, and to embody courage are always the best ways out of tricky situations. In instances where communication cannot work, it is okay to walk away and avoid unnecessary fights. For instance, a while back, I got into trouble with a police officer for having my earphones on while crossing the streets. Although the officer was harsh and verbal, I paid the fines and just hurriedly walked away before the situation escalated.
Works Cited
AlSayyad, N., " Guvenc, M. (2015). Virtual uprisings: On the interaction of new social media, traditional media coverage and urban space during the ‘Arab Spring’. Urban Studies, 52(11), 2018-2034.
