#Bahrain I would like to sum up my thoughts with a very long post if anyone would like to read...


The fact that so many of the most intelligent and educated people I know online and offline disagree on fundamental issue regarding these events, tells me that we are facing a very complex situation that cannot be simplified.

There is no black and white here. Opinions are varied between two extremes and there are people representing every color of the spectrum. To try and reduce it to only two sides is an insult to the issues we are facing in the country.

I am disappointed by the international reaction which is trying to understand Bahrain relative to Egypt or Tunisia, or focuses only on Government opposition movements ignoring the above-mentioned intricacies. Bahrain is unique in its situation in the region, and has complex dynamics and demographics which are so difficult to understand that they are not even fully appreciated by some citizens of the country who have been here their whole lives.

Yet I am more disappointed by my fellow citizens here who are polarized and unwilling to accept any opinion other than their own.

I am disappointed by those who hijacked what started as a noble cause, and by those who attacked it without even understanding the reasons behind it. But mostly I am disappointed by the people who allowed themselves to be driven by generalized and biased opinions.

These are people who are intelligent, well-traveled, exposed to world news and politics, and generally understand how things work. Today in Bahrain, if two of those people will look at the same picture and be presented by the same facts, they will tell you two opposing stories.

We all know the events that led us here, and it is truly amazing how much has happened over just two days, and at the same time how little. A contradiction I am expressing due to the feeling of futility in resolving any of the original core issues which lead to these protests, despite the fact that we are witnessing open protests, government & media openness, and political events unheard of in the history of Bahrain.

The protesters now have a podium at Lulu Roundabout that we are witnessing for the first time in history. The only thing that matters is how the podium is utilized before government patience, and more importantly general population patience runs out.

The question is what happens next. From what I have seen and heard, the protest at Lulu lacks a unified message that Bahrain will agree with. I repeat, even if there is a unified message, it is not a unified Bahraini message.

There are demands for changes in the constitution, and perhaps overthrowing the government. Clearly demands which will not be met nor lead to any resolution unless something changes. I believe most who demand do not realize the significance of those demands, but only strive for a better life, to escape oppression and injustice, and thus follow any chant to ease their suffering.

I do not believe any of the current demands will lead us anywhere. You cannot claim that a new leader is better than the previous one. You cannot put your faith in a new document and expect it to solve all your problems like a magic bullet. Countries all over the world have shown us that there is always injustice and oppression, regardless of their constitution or democratic structure.

Instead, the issue goes back to people.

The people of Bahrain are no longer united as they once were. The numbers are vague but it seems that for every point of view, there is an equally opposing point of view. And that is where we stand today, with no acceptance of each other.

In my opinion, the protests should not be targeted at opposing the government nor demanding anything from them. They should be focused on talking to Bahrain, talking to people, and getting support and buy-in for basic rights which nobody in their right minds can deny. It should be a rational, logical, and most importantly non-religious discussion.

A discussion based on strong facts which also appeals to emotions and simply says: "My fellow citizen, I am clearly being denied some basic rights as a citizen, and so are you, by the way. Can we agree that something needs to be done and work together peacefully and intelligently to achieve a better life for us and our children?"

Until that happens - until the majority of people have on voice - nothing will change. And when that happens, nothing else will matter - not the constitution or law or government or authority. When that happens, nothing will matter because the people will have a common understanding and a common goal.

But that takes time, and it takes a calculated approach by authority figures and national leaders. That has not started to happen yet, but someday it must. I have been waiting for 10 years since we started our democratic journey, but other nations have shown that it takes generations for people to become educated in the political process and finally utilize it for their own long term benefit.

I remain proud to be a citizen of this country, and to be able to speak of these issues and see my fellow citizens voice their opinions across the spectrum of views and ideologies, while many in our very own region remain oppressed beyond hope for many years to come.

What happens next, I do not know. These are interesting, exciting, happy, and sad times we are going through.

Going forward, I now put my faith in any person who is willing to put behind their predetermined views and start a conversation with those they oppose. Because only through dialogue will we start heading towards that path which unites us as one people, and gives us a country we are even more proud of, gives us a better life, and gives us one Bahrain.

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