Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Jasmin revolution
I don't know if you've seen on the news that the Tunisian people have made their revolution these past days and thrown their President (Ben Ali, a dictator that remained in power for 23 years!) out of the country (he is now in Saudi Arabia). Well, we have a lot of Tunisians in France (it's a former French colony) and today they organized a big demonstration to celebrate the event (I took this photo at rue Beaubourg). Now the big question is "who is going to replace Ben Ali?" and that is not easy to answer...
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All the Tunisian people I have met in France have always been very kind and friendly. I hope everything will turn out OK.
ReplyDeleteThey were talking on the American news about how texting and tweeting contributed to the success of this revolt. I'm with Nadege: Hope it all turns out well—after 23 years of Ben Ali, the Tunisian people deserve SO much better!
ReplyDeleteNadege is right. This is an opportunity for Tunisia that must be handled carefully. I wish them well.
ReplyDeleteHard to know what to say really. I think Michael just nailed it.
ReplyDeleteTunisia is in the spotlight right now but it's not (by far) the only country with such problems
*sigh* the world (or certain parts of it) is a pretty f'd up place. :(
I agree with all what you say but PLEASE, let us savour this historical moment first. After 23 years of terror and silence, Tunisians need to realize what they just accomplished. Then get prepared and organized to shape their future. @Alexa, this revolution is definitely a Revolution 2.0. Tunisians thank Mark Zuckerberg and all the other social media creators for their contribution to the Jasmin Revolution.
ReplyDeleteDID YOU KNOW?
Tunisia: Small country, great nation. First Arab country that abolished slavery in 1848. First Arab country to establish a constitution in 1861. First Arab country to abolish polygamy in 1956. First Arab country to legalize abortion in 1973. Tunisia is the first Arab country to kick out its dictator in JAN 2011 and this without the help of any foreign nation!
From a Franco-Tunisian citizen
Oh my dear Walfa, you always amaze me! Thanks for the facts. I didn't know any of that.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Walfa, and it shows that the idea of evolution and democracy is not new for us.The people started to complain and fight for the right they have lost during 23 years, not for a new ideology.
ReplyDeleteZina
This is such a great photo that leaves you with no doubt what it's all about, and this guy looks very revolutionary with the flag and the clenched fist.
ReplyDeleteI hope for the best for the Tunisian people.
It's interesting though Zina how until now, I don't think the general public was aware of all this. Suffering in silence or ignorance by the outside world?
ReplyDeleteIt is truly interesting how many problems in life and in the world that do not have simple solutions. And if there does seem to be a simple solution, there are unexpected and unforeseen consequences that come along. All we can hope for is that we do something better than we did before. The Tunisians have a hard road ahead, and here's hoping the choices they make are good for all of their people.
ReplyDeleteThat's correct, Michael, we didn't know anything, really, until a couple of weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteEver our journalist, Eric. Thanks for keeping on top of current affairs and their effects in Paris.
ReplyDeleteDid you hear, Baby Doc Duvalier returned to Haiti? Dictators coming and going and coming again! History is never dull!
-Kim
Best Wishes for all of my Tunesian friends! I have had the privilege to call a well known Tunisian as my neighbor in Paris, Azzedine Alaia....a very talented designer AND an excellent photographer as well!
ReplyDeleteYes we can, yes we did it :-)))) after 23 years of dictatorship, you can't imagine how freedom taste! we are so happy to have the real right now to vote..we are still wondering and worried about the future but very optimistic though!! Vive la Tunisie libre!
ReplyDelete