a lot happened in three years of blogging. but, two main points remain the most bothersome to me as I continue blogging and interacting online with Jordanians (and in many cases, other Arabs). the first is that no matter how far I try to push the envelope in my writings, political or otherwise, there will always be those who try to use the same scare tactics employed by our beloved government. the other point is most obvious. it is the great gap between Jordanians on and off line.
many visitors of this blog left comments of the "wait 'till they get you" type. as if they have already given up hope that freedom of expression will ever be enjoyed by Jordanians. I try, with every post I write, especially the political ones, to remind readers that if you don't ask for it, you'll never get it. per article 19 of the united nations universal declaration of human rights, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression." Jordan is a member of this institution and is required to adhere to its laws and resolutions. as such, Jordan is called upon to " "to cause [this declaration] to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories." here
furthermore, the Jordanian constitution guarantees freedom of expression. Article 15, section i states that "[t]he State shall guarantee freedom of opinion. Every Jordanian shall be free to express his opinion by speech, in writing, or by means of photographic representation and other forms of expression, provided that such does not violate the law." However, and this is why I love our government, almost every article of the constitution contains the ugly "within the limits of the law" clause. in other words, you're free to express your opinion. But, you're actually not free to do so. Because the limits of the laws prevent you from doing just that.
therefore, I refuse to give up to ambiguity. i will always speak my mind. but, I am sure that my behavior will never change the government's stand on human rights and freedoms of speech and expression if I act alone. one hand can't clap, but can do one thing :) [couldn't resist the metaphorical inclusion of the blog's name!]
if we keep scaring each other with "shhhshhh let's stay away from politics" or "have they caught you yet?" the establishment will always have the upper hand.
the other point that occupies my mind these days is the false picture we get of Jordan out of Jordanians' online presence. it's no secret that digital Jordanians belong to a socioeconomic class way above the rest. They are in no way representative of the Jordanian population. to me at least, they seem to always distance themselves from the analog ones. yet, it's the 7afartali language/behavior that's becoming cool. for instance, think of the newest Jordanian dot.com. It is more likely to have a name derived from a 7afartali/slang phrase than a western one. I can't help but think of a white boy acting black because it's cool! are we, as a society, heading that way?
Anyways, I just wanted to share a thought or two. three years ago the plan was to annoy the hell out of Jordanian bloggers. I still do from time to time. But, as the case with most human beings, I grew up a little :)
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many visitors of this blog left comments of the "wait 'till they get you" type. as if they have already given up hope that freedom of expression will ever be enjoyed by Jordanians. I try, with every post I write, especially the political ones, to remind readers that if you don't ask for it, you'll never get it. per article 19 of the united nations universal declaration of human rights, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression." Jordan is a member of this institution and is required to adhere to its laws and resolutions. as such, Jordan is called upon to " "to cause [this declaration] to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories." here
furthermore, the Jordanian constitution guarantees freedom of expression. Article 15, section i states that "[t]he State shall guarantee freedom of opinion. Every Jordanian shall be free to express his opinion by speech, in writing, or by means of photographic representation and other forms of expression, provided that such does not violate the law." However, and this is why I love our government, almost every article of the constitution contains the ugly "within the limits of the law" clause. in other words, you're free to express your opinion. But, you're actually not free to do so. Because the limits of the laws prevent you from doing just that.
therefore, I refuse to give up to ambiguity. i will always speak my mind. but, I am sure that my behavior will never change the government's stand on human rights and freedoms of speech and expression if I act alone. one hand can't clap, but can do one thing :) [couldn't resist the metaphorical inclusion of the blog's name!]
if we keep scaring each other with "shhhshhh let's stay away from politics" or "have they caught you yet?" the establishment will always have the upper hand.
the other point that occupies my mind these days is the false picture we get of Jordan out of Jordanians' online presence. it's no secret that digital Jordanians belong to a socioeconomic class way above the rest. They are in no way representative of the Jordanian population. to me at least, they seem to always distance themselves from the analog ones. yet, it's the 7afartali language/behavior that's becoming cool. for instance, think of the newest Jordanian dot.com. It is more likely to have a name derived from a 7afartali/slang phrase than a western one. I can't help but think of a white boy acting black because it's cool! are we, as a society, heading that way?
Anyways, I just wanted to share a thought or two. three years ago the plan was to annoy the hell out of Jordanian bloggers. I still do from time to time. But, as the case with most human beings, I grew up a little :)
