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Portrait of a Hopeful Egypt
Originally posted on 2012-08-15
Over the course of the past 36 hours I've watched a nation, who's struggle for freedom and democracy is very near to my heart, fall into all-out chaos and disaster. Keeping an eye on the steady flow of images coming out of Egypt, many of which depict horrific death and destruction, is no easy task, and one that breaks my heart.
It was while looking through these images for a feature on AmericanPhotoMag.com that I began thinking back to a little over a year ago.
What follows is a series of portraits taken during a much brighter, more hopeful time in Egypt's history, perhaps one of the most hopeful periods this North African nation has ever seen.
In May 2012, I packed my bag and headed to Alexandria and then Cairo, to document Egypt's very first freely-held, democratic elections. What I found over the course of my two weeks there was a nation filled with loving, passionate people. People ready and eager for change, ready to take control of their destinies for the first time ever.
I still believe in Egypt. I still believe democracy and freedom can flourish there. And even as the military brutally kills innocent protesters and runs over everything they believe in with bulldozers, I know the people will come out on top. If there's one thing I've learned during my time there it is this: While the army may be strong, it can't touch the passion and courage of the Egyptian people.
Peace and democracy will come, until then, Godspeed, Egypt.
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