Beirut: I am unashamed to admit how much I’ve cried in pride for being Lebanese. Since I rushed to Riad Solh Square to participate in this unforeseen and unprecedented uprising that started last Thursday.
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I was in a café with a friend at Sodeco at 9pm when news broke about protestors gathering in downtown Beirut.
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“This is big. I have to go there,” I told my friend as we paid and left.
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Walking down to join protestors, I was excited.
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Countless thoughts rush through my head and my body was shivering in excitement.
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For as long as I can remember the economy has been unstable, stagnant and seemingly always on the verge of collapse.
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The youth had very little hope and many travelled abroad after graduating seeking stable employment opportunities.
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I was one of them.
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I graduated from Lebanese American University in 1999, but remained unemployed for three years.
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At that time, the country’s financial state was much better than it is today, still it wasn’t good enough for me to find a job.
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I left to the UAE and worked there for more than 15 years before I decided it was time for me to return home.
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I wanted to give Lebanon one more chance.
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Since I’ve been back this year I have been trying to fit back in, but everyday seems gloomier than the previous day.
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I walk in the streets and see the people—many are hungry, most are angry.
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I’m struggling as well. Despite being a hopeful person, its very hard to keep moving forward in this depressing situation.
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Now, I started thinking that emigrating to Canada, Europe or Australia to find work would be a better option for me.
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It is clear that the protesters are not content merely with cosmetic changes, they want the whole system to be uprooted.
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I believe Lebanese are ready for a full-fledged secular and liberal society.
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For years, Lebanese have been held hostage to sectarian-driven politics.
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Most Lebanese flew the flags of their political parties, but today all you see is a sea of white, red, and green—the colour of the Lebanese flag.
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Slogans that captured my attention most were the calls for major constitutional amendments to terminate sectarianism.
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I never thought I would see so many people chant against their own political leaders—unchaining themselves from their sectarian affiliations.
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The past five days have reinforced my feeling of pride as a Lebanese citizen.
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– Bassam Za'Za, Lebanese citizen###
I am witnessing something truly magical in my country and even though I am struggling now, I am happy to be here in this moment.
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-Bassam Za’Za is a freelance journalist based in Beirut. His Twitter handle is: @bassamzaza
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