Every
time we find a country suffering due to the corrupt actions of a negligent and
immoral government, we start identifying their citizens as resilient. We claim
that it’s their hard work and promising attitude that will take them out of
their misery. After every tragedy, we applaud them for simply surviving.

But
how much should one bear in order to be able to get up and say enough is
enough? Is it even fair to use the word resilient to describe a nation that is deteriorating
and dying right in front of us?

Imagine
being hit by a global pandemic, mass currency inflation, political deceit, and the massive explosion that wounds over thousands of people and kills around 200?
This is when resilience turns into rage, and when actions are backed by fury,
revolution takes place.

There
are a couple of political leaders who’re to be blamed for Lebanon’s systematic,
rapid, and heartbreaking decline. These people came into power after the end of
Civil War in 1990. The post-war atmosphere led them all to a mutual agreement
where they wiped off the blood from each other’s hands. This promise to not
prosecute one another led to one political debacle after another. From
religious crusades to racial facades, each one of these warlords has gotten
down the dirty road and contributed in fueling more and more friction and
vicious antagonism.  

From
the Former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri to the current Lebanese President
Michel Aoun – everyone has deprived the Beirutis of basic humanity. It really doesn’t
matter which party rules because behind the scenes the same set of people pull the
strings and fill their banks. As a result, the middle-class Lebanese experience
power cuts and water shortage and the poor have gone back to the Stone Age.

Source: The National 

Fear
is their most crucial tool – the political class uses fear to demolish any
signs of combat or opposition. Memories of the Civil War still haunt the
citizens and it seems as if fear is the one common trait that is passed down
through generations. Their melancholic state is caused by decades of anguish
and sorrow. They place votes thinking that the candidate is not as corrupt as
the opponent standing next to him.

At
the end of last year, Lebanon experienced a hint of light and motivation when
Al-Hariri resigned. This hope was short-lived and dismantled by the countless
tragedies that hit Lebanon one by one. Hope quickly went back into the shadows
and all intimations of revolution faltered at the first sign of the pandemic
which was followed by the 80% devaluation of the local currency – and this landed
half of the country below the poverty line.

The
newly formed government was barely managing to deal with the daily shortcomings
when the massive Beirut explosion took place leading to complete despair. This explosion
was so massive that even Cyprus which is 145 miles away from it felt the
shakes. It took 3 tons of ammonium nitrate to explode for the world and social
media to take notice.

Source: Nature 

The loss took more than the basic rights from the Beirutis. It infuriated a deep
sense of anger and vengeance in them. Right now more than 300,000 Lebanese are
without proper shelter, businesses have crashed, the economy has entirely
collapsed, bars and restaurants are destroyed, and hospitals are inoperable.

Despite
the fact that donations have flooded in from across the globe, the people are still
in dire need of help. The money is not going in the responsible hands. And now –
after the country has degenerated, the United Nations is suddenly taking notice.
United States, France, and Saudi Arabia who previously supported Saad Al-Hariri
are demanding an intervention. Really, who could be behind all of this, they cry
out loud?

The
world is mourning but Lebanese have crossed that stage of grief. At this
moment, they’re angry as they have nothing left to lose. They are chanting “Bring out the nooses” wildly, publicly
disrespecting President Aoun by stepping on his photos, setting political
structures on fire, and digging out governmental files that prove their
corruption.

Source: Post of Asia 

Military
has tried to invade but it seems that the people have surpassed the stage where
they could be terrorized. Fear is no longer remaining but what else could they
have done? Was there any other choice? Does anyone voluntarily seek trauma? Is uncertainty
ever cherished and celebrated? No! Nobody wanted to be crushed! Nobody wanted
to be broken beyond repair! Nobody desired psychological abuse! So burst the
bubble and acknowledge that resilience is a burden, not an accomplishment.