Explaining the Egyptian Revolution to Kids
Politics is hard enough for many adults to understand -- explaining it to kids can be a considerable challenge. When the political developments are happening half a world away and in a foreign language, the challenge is compounded. Your explanation of the recent uprisings in Egypt will depend on the ages and political sophistication of your children, but you can explain at least basic elements of what is going on in a way they can grasp.
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Egypt 101
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When your kids ask about the images of Egypt they see on the evening news, start with the basics on the country itself. Show them where to find Egypt on the globe or map and point out the capital city of Cairo. Explain that the people are called Egyptians and they speak a language called Arabic. For kids who have previously shown an interest in ancient history, remind them that Egypt is home to the Nile River, King Tutankhamen and the Great Pyramids.
Why Are They Yelling?
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Reassure your kids that not all Egyptians are angry and yelling all the time. Explain that many have been unhappy in recent years because the people in charge of the government made decisions they didn't like, and that they didn't think were good for the country. Some Egyptian people decided to express their unhappiness by gathering in protests around the country, carrying signs and making speeches about what they wanted for the future. Explain the group dynamic by reminding them how everybody on the playground or at the ballgame gets caught up in cheering or yelling much more than they might as individuals. Reassure younger kids that the violence and problems in Egypt will have negligible direct impact on their daily lives.
Political Changes
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Explain that the original Egyptian uprising was in the spring of 2011. It happened because many Egyptian people were angry with the country's leader, Hosni Mubarak. Ask the kids if they know what a dictator is, and, if they don't, explain it in terms they can understand. Very young children might best understand the idea of a really strict, mean guy who makes everyone do things they don't want to do. Older kids, particularly those who have already studied the U.S. Constitution and its guarantee of rights to U.S. citizens, can undersand more about a dictator limiting political rights and freedoms. Tell kids that Mubarak's increasingly dictatorial style was making Egypt a difficult place to live.
What Happened
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If your kids have studied the American Revolution, remind them that the reason it happened was because the new citizens wanted to be free from the heavy oppression of the British to provide context for what is happening in Egypt. Mubarak was ousted because of the popular pressure, he had a trial and he had to go to prison for the things he had done against the people. The Egyptians hoped elections would give them a new leader that would be better than Mubarak had been. When many who had worked to remove Mubarak felt the new president also didn't give the Egyptian people their rights, new protests started against him as well and he was also removed from power, with help from the powerful military. Tell the kids that different groups of people are trying to work together to figure out what the best plan is for new leaders in Egypt, but that it is a difficult problem to figure out and reach agreement.
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