No one's gonna take me alive
The time has come to make things right
You and I must fight for our rights
You and I must fight to survive
-Muse
On January 25th, 2011, thousands of Egyptians were inspired by a successful revolution in nearby Tunisia. They took to the streets for the first time since the 1970s, intent on driving President Mubarak out of Cairo. Egypt's leader usurped power in 1971, granting himself emergency powers. This is the environment in which more than 72 million Egyptians have lived for the past 30 years. Poverty, unemployment, and a corrupt government have proven powerful motivators for revolution.
The world has been watching with great interest, in large part because we're all going through the same thing. It all comes down to degree: how much are we willing to tolerate? How far can we be pushed before we're left with no other option but to push back?
Indeed, the measure of comfort most of us enjoy probably puts us at greater risk. The people of Egypt, on the other hand, have been aware of their situation for awhile now. It's time we become familiar with our own.
Below, you'll find links to a number of articles and stories that illustrate what's going awry--in the United States and beyond its borders. Enlighten yourselves. Take nothing at face value.
What you need to know:
Startling Statistics
A Conflict without end
The War for Resources
The economic fiasco
The health care dilemma
The Disproportionate distribution of wealth
Big Brother and the Patriot Act
Know your Rights
Take Action Today
Library Resources
