The “YouStink” movement is the most important thing taking place in Lebanon today. It’s a movement of youth who are secular and critical and are trying to get this country to be better for everyone in it, even those who don’t want that.
Over the course of the past few weeks, YouStink started grassroots protests to try and involve a Lebanese street that essentially doesn’t care, even as the trash piles up outside its doors. Refer to the following pictures for more information:
You can also refer to this New York Times article for a bit of “bahdale.”
Also refer to this post about the state of trash of the country.
When I first wrote about the issue, I was convinced that the garbage crisis would be resolved as fast as it started because if there’s anything our politicians do and do really well it’s to put band-aids on gaping wounds. I was sure they’d find a way to gather around and make sure the issue was resolved as fast as possible.
I thought wrong.
A month later, not only has the garbage crisis not been resolved, but the horrifying details of how corrupt our entire institution is became more prominent than ever. Our politicians are so comfortable by the fact that whatever they do will fly by the masses that have learned to turn a blind eye to them that they couldn’t even manage to do the effort and pretend that they’re trying to address the issue at hand.
The cherry on top of the garbage mountains was the electricity and water situation also becoming catastrophic, as is the case every single summer.
Tomorrow, on August 22nd 2015, the YouStink movement is rallying in Downtown Beirut yet again to get the country’s voices heard, and this is why you should go:
1) Because they have a clear goal for you: They want to find a solution to the garbage crisis amid a political system that’s built on always ensuring that such crises are always sustainable. It’s that simple.
2) Because it’s not okay for our politicians to be this unchallenged: one month and the garbage is still on streets? Really?
3) Because some things are more important than happy hour at Mar Mkhayel on a Saturday: you can get your drinks afterwards.
4) Because even if you intend to leave, you can still help make the country a better place for those who want to stay: I don’t want to stay here; Lebanon is not where I envision my future to be, but I’ll be damned if I leave without at least knowing I tried.
5) Because our system is just not working: you can’t be okay with not having a president for a year, not voting for 2 years straight, not having any basic infrastructure, and living in garbage. It’s unacceptable to be okay with it all.
6) Because the country has police that beat up women who are expressing their fundamental right to speak: refer the following video:
7) Because even if the garbage crisis doesn’t affect you, the system has fucked you before: yes, the garbage crisis is a Greater Beirut problem, but Tripoli was under bullets for months and our government did nothing. The country has had terrorist attacks take place and the government did nothing; that is not okay.
8) Because not going is telling those governing you that they can get away with everything they do to you: now it’s elections and garbage, next it can be your other rights. If you stay silent now, why would they assume you can speak later?
9) Because this is not the time for apathy: you can’t not care about living in garbage, in a country on a slippery slope down anarchy, in a total disintegration of everything that makes a country a state.
10) Because our politicians are scared shitless: refer to the following link.
I rarely invite to protests, but tomorrow I will see you there.
A Separate State of Mind | A Blog by Elie Fares 
“3) Because some things are more important than happy hour at Mar Mkhayel on a Saturday”
That’s where you’re wrong, Elie.
But in all seriousness, thanks for this post I had no idea what this protest was about and no one was telling me.
LikeLike
I am afraid that not many people will participate and for one simple reason. The Lebanese themselves are part of the problem. I visited Lebanon last winter following an absence that lasted 40 years, Yes, 40 years. What did I see? People – in general – who are more interested in Haifa Wehbe’s outrageous dresses, People of both genders who are more interested in cosmetic surgery and how to look like a Hollywood star. People who forgot that they are Lebanese in the first place before being George, Mohammed, Walid and Khachig. Pity. I was intending to spend my older days in Lebanon among the Lebanese who are educated, hospitable, hard working and funny. What did I find was just the opposite. There are still pockets of “Lebanon and Lebanese” here and there, but that is a minority that soon will,become history. Age, economic and political hardship will chase them away from the shores of the Switzerland of the Middle East. I wish you all best of luck. I might consider returning to Lebanon when the Lebanese public matures.
LikeLike