Posted on 06/15/2003 2:21:19 PM PDT by bonesmccoy
My university so beautiful after Saddam
Marwa Ibrahim Al-Moussawi
After years of debased learning and politicization under Ba'ath Party hacks, Iraq's universities can once again become genuine centers of learning and free expression.
The Iraqi regime, which frustrated the dreams of the young Iraqi generation, is now no longer. The young Iraqis had simple ambitions, to which any young man or woman is entitled; mainly to keep up with foreign developments such as the Internet, which was only introduced recently in Iraq and with very limited access.
As for the educational systems, literature was especially made to serve the interests of Saddam and glorify his actions, and science books were extremely underdeveloped. Hence, we are expecting now for these systems to change in a way to enhance the student's literary and scientific knowledge, as for every graduate to find a job thanks to a valuable diploma. In fact, the degrees lost their value, as many graduates did not find an appropriate job. The only lucky ones were members of the "Saddam party."
Girls will no doubt perceive the man they wish to marry differently, as they will seek someone having at least graduated from school, regardless of other main qualities. Moreover, the situation of young Iraqi males will also improve; one used to join the service after graduation, then face an unstable life for not being able to fulfill his simplest dreams like marrying the girl he loves, because of a bad financial situation. But now, one can graduate with a real diploma, get a job and have a happy family with a nice house and car.
I am a student in Baghdad's university of literature, specializing in Arab language. I wanted to study English after finishing school, but my GPA did not qualify me for that major. So I joined the Arab language section and liked my major. My friends and I gather and discuss all sorts of issues except for politics, as we are forbidden to do so, knowing that we are the future of this country. We used to attend poetic seminars at the university, and I had poet friends who told me they were forced to write poems about "Saddam the hero," although they were not convinced of it.
As for now, they are happy to be able to write with complete freedom, and they started preparing for a poetry festival to hail democracy. Actually, the first democratic symptom was the elections made to choose a new president for the department to replace the other one who used to be a loyal supporter of Saddam. Now, everyone can occupy the status one deserves according to his scientific grades, not "political grade."
We also sensed democracy by the way the teacher is dealing with students, ever since we resumed our lectures. In fact, the student has now the right to express his opinion about the way he would like to pursue the rest of his college year, as well as the kind of exams he would sit for depending on his situation.
Hence, now I am free to say whatever is on my mind, without fearing anything, and I can also buy all the things I like and choose the man I wish to spend the rest of my life with, and who would hopefully not be affected by Saddam's concepts. Iraq is so beautiful without Saddam, and my university is so beautiful without the party's stupid slogans, which are now replaced with slogans about freedom and democracy. (Al Hayat)
The whole world is watching!
D'ya think?
Someday that may also be true in the United States of America. -Tom
Yeah, pretty sad. I don't know where you live, but your paper is probably a New York Times paper, like mine. I live in Gainesville, FL - and they also own the paper in the next town down, Ocala. They seem to own every paper in every little burg in the US, with predictable editorial results.
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