The Glory of Tahrir

Not all of the dead have been young. I’m simply receiving my information from young people, who are of course more likely to have access to photos of their friends, the younger among the dead.

But in many ways this has been a youth-fuelled uprising, and the young have paid disproportionately with their blood.

And despite the scenes of near-medieval barbarism from the past week, Egypt has so much to be proud of:

*the strategic cleverness of the young organizers of the movement, who make me wish I were 15 years younger

*the harmony among opposition groups

*the incredible self-organizing citizens’ committees, who are better police than the real police and who even know how to keep the streets clean and create humane makeshift jails in Metro stations

*the courage of those who remained in Tahrir despite wicked charges from thugs, snipers with automatic weapons, acid and cinder blocks thrown from rooftops, and helicopters and F-16’s flying overhead

And some people say this country “isn’t ready for democracy”? Really?

When this is all settled and tourists begin to return, they won’t be coming primarily for the Pyramids, the Khan al-Khalili, or diving in Sharm al-Sheikh. Instead, they’ll be coming to visit Tahrir Square, in all its homely glory.

Congratulations, Egyptians. You’re turning Tahrir, of all places, into the most inspiring site in the world.