“Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending cycle of destruction.” — Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love

I try to maintain hope on Egypt. Hope in all directions. But I run into my own depressions in each direction. Violence erupts in defense of a peaceful demonstration. Media pushes buttons to find exciting responses and talk of “battles” beginning all night. People world-wide appear to expect us (the US) to demand things of other countries’ leaders and expect those leaders to listen.

But I remain hopeful. The core of the demonstrations are peaceful. The demonstrators are holding their ground. Egyptians will carry themselves forward on the shoulders of being right.

The colonial and “post”-colonial forces are not in charge. The opposition parties are not in charge.

People are in charge.

Hope will not be tazed by charge. Hope survives.

The sun is rising in Egypt again, just as it always has. Many people have banished fear. And beyond fear there is freedom.