The Daily Star newspaper reported in its issue # 13198, that “Toni Hadchiti” was the only Lebanese selected on the opinion category in Samir Kassir Awards, for his piece “The rise of Lebanon through a revolution in its people’s conscience” published in Al-Balad newspaper.
Here’s the full article written by Toni Hadchiti (www.tonihadchiti.com).
Most of the readers ask me to chronologically edit my literary work, for they think I have long been present in the journalism and writing fields. But it is a big surprise when they find out that I was born in September 1986 and I don’t have any sort of relation with the fourth power. My only haven is the essays I write whenever the need arises. These essays are none other than the interpretation of ideas that run through my mind. They are based on my deep faith in the interest of my country and in my political visions and aspirations that I wish to achieve for the Country of the Cedars.
These ideas are generated by my humble experience in life and in public affairs. They are also the result of experiences lived by my family, my ancestors and my friends. The events they forged for better or for worse are now entrenched in my memory. Today, my own generation is enduring the same events. This burden definitely led me to express myself through my articles which are the only way out for the voiceless …
There is no doubt that the common denominator between my testimonials and the testimonials of others is the predominance of emotions over the voice of reason, which was largely influencing the Lebanese actions throughout the ages. This situation has prevented the people from learning from their past mistakes.
For this reason, history was repeating itself. According to the constitution, the people are the “source of power”; so they are responsible of defining the destiny of their country on different levels, especially on managing the country’s affairs. Not to mention they should take into consideration the repercussions of plurality, foreign interference and involuntarily conditions imposed on them.
The worst characteristics of the Lebanese mentality can be resumed under the following principles: “support your brother/companion/leader, whether he is an oppressor or oppressed”, “the bad is better then the worse” and “give yourself what you refuse to give others and vice versa”. As long as the Lebanese apply the concept of “right or wrong” according to geographic, spiritual and ideological affiliation, our society will remain an arena ruled by feudal leaders; it will never develop into a modern society where real democracy prevails. Moreover, most people refuse to recognize the good deeds of others and won’t admit their own mistakes. This is contrary to the principle of “the testimony for the right and the truth” called upon by the divine legislations. Although everyone pretends to solely adopt this principle, they only choose to apply it for their personal interests, as it was mentioned above.
In that context, it is necessary to highlight a dangerous habit very much present in the daily life of Lebanese people; they usually resort to phone calls so that some officials help them get away with violating the law… This phenomenon explains why the political ruling class is never held accountable for its poor performance during the elections, or inside the parties and movements.
All this is due to the complex of inferiority: “protect me so I can protect you”… So we ask ourselves two evident questions: how will the most important aspects of democracy, such as accountability, power rotation and majority rule, be realized in the public life as long as it is not realized on a personal level?! How can anyone throw masses of accusations and offenses against someone, while his own past is bloated with the same mistakes?!
I am trying to emphasize the ambiguity that is present in the Lebanese mentality.
The best way to prove it is a speech given by a friend during the funerals of another friend, Jules. He lives in a town close to my village Hadchit. Thus, he blamed a former deputy of this Caza for his negligence of the developement. He also expressed his frustration towards the same person for his carelessness during his term of office in the Parliament. However, the same friend never hesitates to defend the deputy mentioned above whenever “a stranger from the region” points out the major mistakes he committed. In that way, my friend pretends to preserve the reputation of the “social environment”!!
Only the Lebanese people hold the key to the rise of this land: they should put an end to the plagiarism of change, democracy and the supreme values, or else the current situation will persist; the people will have to reveal all the cards, whether they were good or bad. Therefore, Lebanon will only rise again through the revolution of the people’s conscience.
By Toni Hachiti : www.tonihadchiti.com