The Lebanese complex is a condition well alive in Lebanon. This complex very much does exist. It lives amongst us. A part of us. It infiltrates our day-to-day lives. What is this complex? For starters, it is the stern belief, that we have inherited a utopian country. That for some preordained reason, Lebanon was hand picked by the holy powers above, to forever serve as the center of the universe.
While Lebanon's geology is unmatched, it takes more than just mountains and sea to make a country great. It takes people. People are to a country as values are to a human being. You can be the most beautiful person to walk the face of this Earth, but if on the inside you're a piece of shit, none of that really matters.
What is so complex about us Lebanese is that in the self proclaimed land of co-existence, we are very much divided. That's not to say that populations world over don't differ on certain issues. Take America in its present state as an example. But the problem with Lebanon is our inability to apply our own beliefs at the most fundamental level.
Corruption thrives in corrupt environments. Lebanon's history is marred with crooked, greedy politicians. But how can you expect politicians to hold themselves accountable, when the people don't hold their own selves accountable?
This is the complex at its purest form. Whether its hypocrisy, or indecisiveness, who knows, who cares? It exists. Which is why addressing it is crucial. Before we talk about politicians and all the failed governments, we have to talk about we, the people.
We complain about a garbage crisis, yet we religiously litter the streets. We complain about corruption, yet we are all guilty of partaking in Wasta. We curse the banks greediness yet eagerly gobbled up their interest rates. We actively voice our support for black lives yet continue to water the shrub of racism that grows in our own backyard.
We are George Orwell's most peculiar animal farm. Rebellious people who betray themselves to occasionally partake in the spoils of the corrupt they are rebelling against. It's these two sides of the same coin that baffles people that observe Lebanon from the afar. How can a people so hell bent on resurrection, be so nonchalant about achieving it? Is it because we've been spoiled to think we are the center of the universe? That we are the Middle East's Shangri-La? The point at which Western and Eastern ideologies meet?
“We have to talk about we, the people.”
We definitely can be. We have all the makings of a modern, democratic, open-minded country and people. At the same time, we have all the makings of the opposite. Before we achieve any sort of progress we must absolve ourselves from our pretentious nature that has dug us this deep. Lebanon's problem's isn't just a government issue. It's a collective of issues, which start at the root of society. To solely blame our demise on government would be to neglect the problem altogether. We have a problem. The problem is we.
The mantra of Make Lebanon Paris Again has to be flushed away with the rest of the failed mantras of our past. Lebanon isn't Paris. Mostly because today Paris isn't Paris. The world is changing in front of your very eyes. Countries are re-organizing, reshuffling. Changes are being made. History's greatest Phoenix must again rise from the ashes, and reinvent itself once more. Not as a better version of its old self. Rather a new version altogether. Rid of the familiar dystopia. Rid of all past mantras and ideologues. Staying true to one thing and one thing only: who we are as a country, is a reflection of who we are as individuals.
Writers Note: Hey guys, I hope you’re enjoying the content. I’ve shifted my focus more to posting on my Instagram @_thewritewords, so make sure you follow me there. Also, I know you’re thinking “why am I not staying up to date with this website’s content and posts?” Don’t worry I got you covered. Right after this paragraph you’ll find a subscribe button. Just type in your email and hit subscribe. You’ll get an email every time I post something to this website, that way you’ll never miss a beat. As always thank you for your support. It means a lot. If you like the page and content make sure to share it on your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and spread the word. Also I plan to be adding really cool, new features to my content real soon, so make sure to keep an eye on my Instagram to know what those are, and of course it will be about you and I’s favorite topic: this beautiful mess called Lebanon.
Thanks for reading!
