by Fatima from Egypt
When political events become personal stories, they gain a deeper perspective.
Briefly, the 25 January revolution of January made me get out of my protective shell and safe haven. Throughout long years, I have set up my own safety network and a safety system that had protected me personally, professionally and ideologically.
I have always been quite self-conscious, but opposed to expressing my identity openly. I have defined myself as Nubian, Islamic, feminist, Egyptian woman. I saw no contradiction among any of my identities. I have always sought to enjoy my individuality within the groups to which I belonged. Recently, however, I started to feel that I am putting myself in shells that restricted my full potential
During the revolution I started departing from my safety net; I rebelled against my family and went to protest against their will. I felt that my compromises that aimed at sustaining my status in a middle class, patriarchal and conservative family were meaningless, and I needed to stand up and voice out my opinion.
Another safety net I lost was my extended family, who considered me no longer the daughter or the relative they had raised. In addition to my frequent travel without escort, which is against their Islam, "I was not taking good care of my mother, and I was causing her trouble", they claimed. I had a lengthy conversation with my cousin, who is my age, 29 years old. In an attempt to convince me to leave Tahrir square, he said that we did not represent Egyptians, but were rather violating their rights. He concluded his argument by claiming that the revolution's causalities are not considered martyrs.
The last safety net I dropped was my childhood friends, who are nice un-politicized women who love me profoundly, but who were shocked at my political activism and my feminist ideas. Unlike others, however, they offered me unconditional support.
Tahrir revolution was my first protest. I have always hated loud voices and absolute passion. Nevertheless, when you hear the piercing voice of your own beloved country, you must get out of your safe haven and participate.
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