I received a call yesterday from a friend who was browsing the web, and found this blog which has devoted an entire blog entry and some comments to diss me.
What's sad is that they did not just diss my views, they took it a little personal.
What's even sadder is the inappropriate use of the arabic language to describe me and my views.
Though i expect people not to agree with me - and it doesn't bother me - it was a different thing being dissed and dismissed by a group of my peers!
So i have decided to write an email to the bloggers, even though they are quite busy since one of them is being jailed for expressing his views ( aren't we proud of our dear egyptian governtment!)
And here goes:
"Dear Manal and Alaa,
A friend of mine was browsing the web and saw this post - where you have commented on a blog entry of mine.
I have checked your blog sometimes, and i recognized you as passionate egyptians who want to be agents of change to bring our egyptian community forward. Though i may not always agree with your views, that doesn't undermine you or your views whatsoever. You, however, did not give me that same right that i gave you.
I was deeply offended by your blog entry - not by your opinions in what i say, which are completely valid and i would gladly discuss in an organized civilized discussion.I realize that what i believe in is sometimes outside of the ordinary, and sometimes elitist due to my upbringing - however i am willing to discuss things and to be convinced with otherwise.
I was deeply offended by:
1) The way you manifested your objection to what i have said especially by your use of swear words. Throughout your lives as political activist you will face many people who you will disagree with, and swearing at them does not make you look good. It is not the way forward, it's the way backward. In the future, if you disagree with me please refrain from swearing at me and let's discuss it like civilized adults
2) You linked my views to the organization i work for. I am not who i work for - i am an individual person working for an organization i am passionate about. My views do not reflect AIESEC's views what-so-ever. AIESEC is a great organization that does not discriminate against race, religion ethnicity or social class. It develops leaders who are global citizens and who support cultural dialogue and live and interact with diverse people.If i work for Coka-Cola, would you say that my views represent what coka-cola believes in? I think not. The same should go for AIESEC or any other organization i am or will working for.
3) You made false assumptions. FYI i am not an AUCian and i am not some rich spoiled girl. I studied at the University of Alexandria in the Faculty of arts, and at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology. And i was in this private university on Scholarship. If you had bothered to talk to me about my views you would have found out that i have had nothing handed to me on a silver plate, and i worked really hard for everything i wanted, and i do not usually get what i want.
And at 23, i am completely independent from my family and anyone else and making it through life alone with no financial help from anyone whatsoever, which i am positive not many people - including yourselves - could say.And i know many AUCians - and the stereotype you have of them, and that i once had, is completely untrue.
I would love to discuss my views with you and have an open conversation about this that would leave us both enlightened and with more knowledge.
However your improper use of language leaves me worried since i cannot compete. My values and principles would prohibit me from matching up to that language
Good Luck with your current challenges.
This email will be published on my blog superluli.nomadlife.org "
5 comments:
Well...I am really sorry about that happening to you, Luli (if that's your name). I just want to tell you that angry people want to be angry AT someone. It's not you, you say what you think and they relate everything to the fact that you are in a private university, or that you are a spoiled brat. It so doesnt make sense. I just want to say; dont be sad about this. For some people to call themselves leftist, they have to find others whom they can call bourgeoisie. That's how they rationalize their behavior and their anger. I have this conclusion because I know most of these people personally. So just, dont take it too hard.
As it seems, things like that happen everywhere. I was few times having conversation about what I think about my country, but usually only with foreigners. Because as soon as I discussed it with the locals and the opinion of the two of us differed, the language got very rude and one got to be insulted for the views one held. And I also despise harsh and insultive words, as that is not a discussion.
I totally agree with your perspective and that we should value each opinion or at least be open enough to hear the arguments of the other side in polite way.
I am afraid that this selfishness and arrogance of some thinking only their view is the right one is the reason why so many conflicts are still unresolved.
or Luli you can simply tone down to your sensitivity to snarky comments. Not every online discussions are civilized, but some of them might carry important message that you might miss.
If it makes you feel better, their blog is blocked in the UAE. Yours isn't. You win!
When I first started blogging I was worried about getting criticized, but have gotten to a point where I don't care one bit. People will always criticize. If you put yourself out there you just have to be prepared for it.
Post a Comment