Revolutions were once caused by deliberation. Caution was heeded when it came to monumental revolutionary decisions.
Information also traveled at a slower pace, prolonging the process. This isn’t the case today, when one’s beliefs can surface and instantaneously catch fire, both figuratively and literally, taking a country by surprise.
The African country of Tunisia erupted into revolt recently after one citizen, Mohamed Bouazizi, doused himself in paint thinner and set himself on fire.
The New York Times profiled Bouazizi as a mere fruit vendor who sought to provide for his family. His act and the immediacy with which the public received it show how quickly information travels today.
Before Bouazizi’s actions occurred, authoritarian rule had quashed the rights of many in Tunisia. Secular thought was punishable by time in jail and possibly death.
Rather than reflecting on the situation and planning their next steps, Tunisians immediately picked up where he martyred Bouazizi had left off.
Since Bouazizi’s self-immolation on Dec. 17, the country has seen nothing but ceaseless unrest. According to a report by the BBC, the United Nations has reported 100 dead thus far.
In less than a month, Tunisia’s tyrannical former president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, fled the country with little hope of returning. As a result, the Tunisian government has seen a complete change.
Nearly all the members of the former president’s political party, the Constitutional Democratic Rally, have been uprooted from their comfortable seats at the top.
Several BBC reports have said elections are expected within the next six to seven months.
Tunisians have made their desires known; they want the influence of the Constitutional Democratic Rally to diminish. And they want it soon.
Rebels that were tortured in prison for their disagreement with the previous regime have been freed. Some of them now occupy seats in the new government.
Slim Amamou, the new government’s interim minister of youth and sports, marvels at the pace the Tunisian Jasmine Revolution has taken. He expressed this sentiment in a post on his Twitter account, describing the series of events as “The most rapid revolution in history. Because we are connected. Synchronized.”
Amamou’s tweet addresses a fair point — in the digital age forethought is jilted, and immediacy is almost always appeased. Media coverage is instantaneous and publicity is a movement’s best friend.
What once was accomplished in months, maybe even years, has happened over the course of roughly fifty days.
Tunisia isn’t the only country that is now crying out for more liberties. Revolts have erupted in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Yemen and Algeria.
The fire has been lit, the coverage has fed the blaze and the end of authoritarian rule will extinguish it. The question is, how long will Africa burn?
From what we’ve seen thus far, it may not be for much longer, but that won’t minimize the damage.
Send your feedback to Brittany at bemorri1@asu.edu
