Please look for an addition to the format: some posts now have notes, with citations and/or comments that do not fit easily into the main text. Look for these either BEFORE or AFTER the lists of resources. Find notes for this Update at the end. (In the future I’ll try to be more consistent about this.)
Black History Month
Two recent posts link current events to Black History Month themes. These exemplify the kind of links that the Lynx finds most intriguing–the unexpected ones. Check-out the following posts:
- Martin Luther King and Cairo (Feb 13)
- Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, and the ‘Italian Street’ (Feb 14)
The Serbs drew inspiration from the ideas of an American, Gene Sharp, whose book From Dicatatorship to Democracy, is available online–in 25 languages, including English, Arabic, and Farsi--courtesy of the Albert Einstein Institution (2). This raises the question of whose ideas influenced Sharp. I intend to pursue this, but it is very likely that he consulted the works of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Intellectual history is just so convoluted!
More on Aretha Franklin’s legacy: Cairo disk jockey Mohammed Safi, who was protesting in Tahrir, has returned to work at Nile FM, an English-language radio station. He told a reporter that the first disk on his playlist would be the Egyptian national anthem. After that, a roster of tunes–and definitely "Respect" by Aretha Franklin (3).
Journalists
Yesterday’s news about the sexual assault and beating of Lara Logan, while reporting from Tahrir Square on Friday, serves as another reminder of the risks of "frontline reporting" (Feb 11 post). The attack occurred after Mubarak’s resignation had been conveyed to the crowd. On a previous trip to cover the uprising, Egyptian authorities had detained and interrogated her–but she came back (4). For more information go to the web site of the Committee to Protect Journalists (http://ww.cpj.org). Ms. Logan is a member of the CPJ board.
Egypt and the Mideast
Reporters David Kirkpatrick and David Sanger have written an excellent piece giving us detailed information about the strategies of Tunisian and Egyptian activists, their collaboration, and the role of social media (5). They begin with the founding of the April 6 Youth Movement in 2005. Moreover, these reporters write from a balanced point of view concerning the role of the military and the Muslim Brotherhood. Since the article follows the Egyptian uprising from its inception on January 25 to its moment of triumph in Tahrir Square on February 11, you can assign it as an overview. It is self-contained enough to serve as a stand-alone reading assignment–even for students who know little about what has happened. For students more engaged with events in Egypt and the Mideast, it will help to pull together what they have learned from other sources.
The Lynx is recommending two videos of special interest to students:
- "Cairo’s Facebook Flat" (posted online on February 8): NYT videographer Ed Ou lets the savvy sons and daughters of the elite explain why they are taking part, what their parents think about their participation, and how they are networking. Of particular interest to historians are their efforts to collect the testimonies of fellow protesters. Also, note that these young people were quite cognizant of what might happen to them if they failed. (See note #6.)
- "Egyptian Protester Back on the Airwaves" (mentioned above): Mohamed Safi reflects on his part in the protests but shows us that he’s happy to return to his radio job. This footage shows a very vocal six-year-old protester, perched on her father’s shoulder, that captivated him. (See note #7.)
Another valuable resource, as we keep trying to understand Egypt’s revolution and transition (to what, exactly, is still uncertain) is Fouad Ajami’s "Egypt’s ‘Heroes’ With No Names’" (8). This insightful column suggests, poignantly, that "the Egyptians may give us a consoling tale of an Islamic people who rose to proclaim their fidelity to liberty, and who provide us with a reminder that tyranny is not fated for the Arabs." (Thanks to Mr. Moran of the APWH listserv for posting this item.)
Protests continue across the Arab world and in Iran, generating abundant, frequently updated sources. For a clear, concise place to start, check-out "Five Arab Countries That the "Jasmine Revolution" May Spread to Next" (9). It’s short enough to print and distribute as a hand-out. The author writes for Think Progress (http://thinkprogress.org). (Thanks to History Bobcat for this item.)
Also useful for its summaries of background information is a NYT interactive chart, "Reasons to Seethe" (10). The chart covers Tunisia, the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. It can be downloaded as a PDF.
Berlusconi’s "Soap Opera"
An Italian judge in Milan, Cristina De Censo, decided yesterday on a trial date of April 6 for President Berlusconi. He has been charged with paying a minor for sex, and more generally with abuse of office. And he will face a panel of three judges, all of them women. See the Guardian article for a picture of the Karima el-Mahroug (an alleged victim), Berlusconi’s and el-mahroug’s denials, the response of Italian Bishops, and Italian legal procedures (11). Go to this article for links to articles (2003, 2006, 2009) about Berlusconi, his government, and prior allegations of corruption.
For more about Sunday’s demonstrations and the views of working to change the position of women in Italian society, see Sabina Zaccaro, "It’s a Lot Worse than Sex Parties" (12).
Notes
1) Kirkpatrick, David D., and David E. Sanger. "A Tunisian-Egyptian Link That Shook Arab History." New York Times (2-14-11); online (2-13-2011).
2) Sharp, Gene. From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation. Originally published in 1999–for Burmese activists in Thailand. http://aeinstein.org/organizations4caf.html
3) View the NYT video "Egyptian Protester Back on the Airwaves" and listen to Safi’s playlist near the end. ASK: why do you think he chose to play these selections?
4) "CBS’s Lara Logan Attacked by Egytian Mob in Cairo." BBC News (2-15-2011). Brian Stelter, "CBS Reporter Attacked in Cairo," NYT (2-16-2011).
5) See note #1.
6) Video: "Cairo’s Facebook Flat." Produced by Rob Harris and Ed Ou. New York Times (2-8-2011). 03:06 mins. http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/02/08/world/middleeast/1248069622796/cairo-s-facebook-flat.html?nl=multimedia&emc=focusema1
7) Video: "Egyptian Protester Back on the Airwaves." Produced by David Botti. Featuring Mohamed Safi. New York Times (2-13-2011). 04.16 minutes. http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/02/13/world/1248069634893/egyptian-protester-back-on-the-airwaves.html?nl=multimedia&emc=focusema1
8) Fouad Ajami, "Egypt’s ‘Heroes’ With No Names.’" Wall Street Journal (2-12-11). http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704132204576136442019920256.html
9) Jilani, Zaid, "Five Arab Countries That the "Jasmine Revolution" May Spread to Next." Truthout (2-??-2011). http://www.truth-out.org/five-arab-countries-that-jasmine-revolution-may-spread-next67695
10) "Why the Arab World is Seething." New York Times (2-6-2011). Also In the print edition’s "Week in Review’ section as "Reasons to Seethe."
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/06/weekinreview/06marsh.html?ref=weekinreview
11) Hooper, John. "Sivio Berlusconi Sent for Trial Accused of Paying for Sex With Teenager," The Guardian (2-25-2011). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/15/silvio-berlusconi-trial-teenage-sex
12) Zaccaro, Sabina. "It’s a Lot Worse Than Sex Parties." Inter Press Service (Rome: 2-14-2011). http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54463
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