More Protests, Now in Libya

The above image is one which has been circulating around the popular social blogging site, Tumblr. The site, like many other blogging and social networking sites, has erupted over the past few weeks over the turmoil all over the world, specifically in the Middle East and Northern Africa. And while my thoughts and prayers are with all of these places (and also the people of Christchurch, New Zealand, who are suffering the repercussions of a series of terrible earthquakes), I want to focus this post on what's been going on in Libya.

Taking the lead of Egypt and Tunisia, the people of Libya have been fighting for release from the dictatorship of Moammar Gaddafi, who has not hesitated in showing that he is willing to kill as many of those who are protesting against him as necessary to squash the rebellion. Gaddafi is silencing them through brutal murder. Right now, I believe the death count is well over 300, and the numbers continue to rise.

Many people and news stations alike have named the conflicts going on in Libya as pure genocide.

And yet, despite everything: despite the outrage across the world, despite the condemnation of Gaddafi's actions, and despite the flood of support for the people of Libya, Gaddafi refuses to step down, and continues to kill hundreds of his citizens.

Gaddafi is also trying to take legitimacy away from the protesters, claiming they are influenced by various, absurd activities: from involvement in al Quaeda to illegal drugs.

But the rest of the world won't be fooled. While we wait to hear about the decisions of the United Nations regarding this matter, our hearts and souls have been with the people of Libya, who are fighting daily for basic rights, and liberation from a dictator who seems completely unconcerned about whether they live or die.

And while the people of Libya suffer--while they watch their loved ones die and feel their bodies pierced with bullets--it makes me contemplate the question: when is something worth dying for? It's easy to sit from my home in a rural area of the United States of America, and sympathize with the plight of the Libyan people. But the fact is: above my sadness for their lost loved ones, above my anger at the mistreatment for their suffering, above my frustration with the people who are only concerned with the rising oil prices, is my absolute admiration for the courage of these people. Their strength, bravery, and determination to fight for their rights and for what they believe in is absolutely inspiring.

They are risking everything, just to have what we take for granted here in America: freedom.

So, if these protests in Libya and in other places under the reign of speech-silencing dictators make you think of nothing else--think of the privileges we have just for being American citizens. In my AP government class, we just finished a unit on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. Our rights: from religious freedom, to freedom of the press, to the right to peacefully protest, are essentially what defines our freedom here. And, personally, I know that researching these uprisings, and the unfairness to which so many people are still subjected, has made me appreciate my civil liberties much more.