Mafi Mushkila!!
I love Saudi Arabia. I consider it my home. Although I'm not technically from there, I always tell everyone that I am. Growing up in that particular area of the world, I have had more than my share of confrontations with anti-western Saudis. While the majority of Saudis embrace western and American culture and people, there are definately those hardliners who don't want Americans there; i've even seen little kids who have no idea why they're angry but talk craaazy smack about Americans anyways.
If you walked up to some random person and asked them why Arabs are so angry with America, chances are they wouldn't be able to tell you exactly why, the reasons for this being that there are many of us who fail to view many events from any point of view other than that presented in the news. Arabs in general are not a bunch of crazy jihaders running around causing chaos wherever they go. They are civilized people just like any average person in any other part of the world with families and dreams, and also like you and me, they are able to feel anger. I believe that the reason that some Saudis are so angry lies within the state of their own country. Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries that is still ruled by an absolute monarchy, with a (now defacto) ruler who has the final say in all matters. Saudi Arabia is also one of the wealthiest nations in the world, as it sits on top of one-fourth of all known oil in the world. Unfortunately for the Saudi people, the much of the massive revenues generated by oil income never reach the public. Much of the money is kept by the royal family or members of the government, who enjoy a lavish lifestyles. Of the money that does go into the country, the majority of it is spent on beautifying the country, planting trees and whatnot rather than given to the people, and thus, Saudi Arabia is seen as a "third world" country.
So what exactly does this have to do with America? Well, the government is so intent on maintaining its oil status that it hires well-educated expatriate workers from the U.S. and other countries help do this. By doing so, the government gives away much needed jobs from the Saudi people, keeping them from earning the money they would need to provide decent lifestyles for their families. This rift is only further magnified by a strong US support of the Saudi policy. So, we have seven out of ten workers in Saudi is foreign... 25% of the population is unemployed... NO WONDER THEY'RE PISSED! It is this anger that leads to some of the crazy stuff we see on the news every day. When I see that another confrontation between Westerners and Arabs has taken place, regardless of the location, it makes me sad. Because its not as if the Americans are coming over to Saudi Arabia purely to take the jobs of the Saudi people and keep them oppresssed. And don't they to have the right to pursue careers which would support their families?
Personally I don't believe either side is right or wrong. While Americans do have the right to work wherever and whenever to support their families, this right cannot be denied to Saudis as well. Also, while the Saudis are understandably angry with the Americans, and the Americans are angry with the Saudis for attacking them, I don't believe either side is right by bringing violence into the mix. Not a single human life is worth sacrificing just because you can't find it within yourselves to coexist and compromise with one another, and anyone who believes that is a friggin dumbass. So what is a reasonable solution to this little problem? Honestly, I don't really know. Last month, Saudi Arabia made a big step towards democracy by holding its first municipal elections, where half the members of a future council will be elected by the public. THIS IS HUGE!!! While the monarchy will probably hold some kind of majority rule, this is definately a step in the right direction, and opens the doors to bigger and better reforms.
Listening to: Norah Jones
Feeling Like: A tired mofo
If you walked up to some random person and asked them why Arabs are so angry with America, chances are they wouldn't be able to tell you exactly why, the reasons for this being that there are many of us who fail to view many events from any point of view other than that presented in the news. Arabs in general are not a bunch of crazy jihaders running around causing chaos wherever they go. They are civilized people just like any average person in any other part of the world with families and dreams, and also like you and me, they are able to feel anger. I believe that the reason that some Saudis are so angry lies within the state of their own country. Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries that is still ruled by an absolute monarchy, with a (now defacto) ruler who has the final say in all matters. Saudi Arabia is also one of the wealthiest nations in the world, as it sits on top of one-fourth of all known oil in the world. Unfortunately for the Saudi people, the much of the massive revenues generated by oil income never reach the public. Much of the money is kept by the royal family or members of the government, who enjoy a lavish lifestyles. Of the money that does go into the country, the majority of it is spent on beautifying the country, planting trees and whatnot rather than given to the people, and thus, Saudi Arabia is seen as a "third world" country.
So what exactly does this have to do with America? Well, the government is so intent on maintaining its oil status that it hires well-educated expatriate workers from the U.S. and other countries help do this. By doing so, the government gives away much needed jobs from the Saudi people, keeping them from earning the money they would need to provide decent lifestyles for their families. This rift is only further magnified by a strong US support of the Saudi policy. So, we have seven out of ten workers in Saudi is foreign... 25% of the population is unemployed... NO WONDER THEY'RE PISSED! It is this anger that leads to some of the crazy stuff we see on the news every day. When I see that another confrontation between Westerners and Arabs has taken place, regardless of the location, it makes me sad. Because its not as if the Americans are coming over to Saudi Arabia purely to take the jobs of the Saudi people and keep them oppresssed. And don't they to have the right to pursue careers which would support their families?
Personally I don't believe either side is right or wrong. While Americans do have the right to work wherever and whenever to support their families, this right cannot be denied to Saudis as well. Also, while the Saudis are understandably angry with the Americans, and the Americans are angry with the Saudis for attacking them, I don't believe either side is right by bringing violence into the mix. Not a single human life is worth sacrificing just because you can't find it within yourselves to coexist and compromise with one another, and anyone who believes that is a friggin dumbass. So what is a reasonable solution to this little problem? Honestly, I don't really know. Last month, Saudi Arabia made a big step towards democracy by holding its first municipal elections, where half the members of a future council will be elected by the public. THIS IS HUGE!!! While the monarchy will probably hold some kind of majority rule, this is definately a step in the right direction, and opens the doors to bigger and better reforms.
Listening to: Norah Jones
Feeling Like: A tired mofo
posted by Chris at 3:01 PM
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