An Egyptian Portfolio — Work in Progress
The people of Egypt have been pulled in opposing directions- exposed to the alluring western lifestyle the media presents, while maintaining, and sometimes strengthening, traditional and religious beliefs. Access to wealth is very limited, and while crossing class boundaries is possible, it can take generations to achieve. Despite clear frustrations with their own government, there is a hopelessness that resonates with most Egyptians. There is a feeling of being shackled to the process, instead of being a part of it.
There is build up, though; a static political system that does not have the ability to adapt and change will only create an environment where frustration slowly increases. The system in place is dictatorial and potentially successional, but the population is too large to be physically subdued should serious challenges arise. A large, bottom-heavy middle class has emerged, and a gradual undercurrent of dissatisfaction and resentment has come with the expansion of this social class. Something has to give.
The will of the people to act is not entirely there though, as changing a government system that has been in place for the better half of a century means huge sacrifice. Maybe life is not good, but it is certainly not bad enough. Despite some recent protests, the fear of the unknown stops any major action from happening long before the government would need to implement force. This system of “being just good enough” is a strong tool of oppression. The government has created an environment where people are reluctant to incite change.
Pride and nationalism peek through once in a while, like when Egyptian national soccer team was on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup. The emotional high quickly plummeted as the national team lost the deciding game to go to the World Cup, and this brought their reality back into sharp focus. Frustrations were magnified in the light of the national disappointment.
These photos show the street view of the quiet oppression of the common person and reflect aspects of the national psyche. They show that Egypt is by no means a joyless society; that despite the weight of their reality, there are moments of lightness. They show the close proximity of tradition and modernity. Egypt is complicated. The people choose to blur out the future, adopting a myopic view that allows satisfaction in the day to day; the discontent of the improbable likelihood of change, a constant but indistinct background that intermittently comes into focus.
