Throughout my years living in Lebanon, I have witnessed countless injustices. I have also experienced them firsthand. It’s almost impossible not to when you live here. I have also; time and time again attempted to bring to light the abysmal conditions that overwhelm our environment. But after failing to bring about change through administrative establishments, I took matters into my own hand.
No matter how small the change, to me it had to be done.
This is Yahchouch.
This is Faqra-Kfarzebian.
This is Chouwen.
Wherever my camping gear went, my waste collection bag followed until we both made it to Riad al-Solh square. There, was a larger group calling for a swift solution to the garbage management crisis and an end to corruption through peaceful demonstrations.
In the several weeks to follow, the crowd grew and so did the demands. No longer was it confined to the waste management crisis but propagated to address a myriad files that had remained unresolved for over 40 years as a direct result of the corruption of the ruling class.
The crowd grew angrier at the complacency and disproportionate use of violence by the riot police. They also became more courageous. For decades the Lebanese were made to feel powerless, subordinate and marginalized, but the #YouStink movement reignited hope within many and for that they are thanked.
My only message to the organizers would be to currently focus on the waste crisis above all others.
Winter is coming. This means acid rain and strong winds that would carry uncovered trash everywhere it goes. This means the seeping of leachate into groundwater reserves and our seas. This means the contamination of food and water en-masse. This means the most vulnerable among us will be the first to be affected due to lack of infrastructure. People below the poverty line, refugees, or even (relatively) well-off folks are ill-prepared to the coming catastrophe. A few weeks separate us from the raining season so time is precariously precious.
This isn't about the demands of the "well-off" vs the demands of the "poor". This is about all of us. We either all live together or we die together. Let us steer clear from the direct dangers that loom ahead and then move on to other issues. Environment first, all other files second. People are not statistics and their lives are at stake. Form a committee comprised of environmental experts who -together- can forge real, sustainable solutions and then pressure the government into submission. Once the direct danger is off the table, the field is yours.