The defence of a “burger baby revolutionary”
I would always worry about substance of a movement that considers itself ‘anti-intellectual’.
There is a difference between being ‘anti-intellectual’ and being counter a certain intellectual movement. Former is an invitation to random action over substance. Latter is an challenge to begin dialogue and to criticise, defend and argue – in a way creating a new sort of intellectuals.
This Gentleman has argued that he is well-read and has had the best schooling the money can buy. Apart from the fact that commercial schooling is mostly about grades, rather than teaching. He has then failed to show any evidence of his ability to be unbiased or well-read.
Even if he had looked at history of past 70 years, and not more – he would have seen that when encountering imperial powers, one needs to strengthen the base not hollow it. One needs democratic participation in state to ensure that. Which means increasing stake in the state of everyone involved, not a select few.
He also fails to see that HE and many like him, unabashedly living a life of luxury are doing so precisely because of status quo. He has so much time to PLAY, while there are many who work FOR him and they are unable to even REST. Those are the people who are underclasses, being economically exploited by his kind. Revolution is their right, not yours. You my friend are the beneficiary of the system, not victim. Yet he has failed to even acknowledge this fact.
He has failed to show humbleness or introspectiveness that comes with education. But he wants us to take him seriously. Unlike getting that PS3 that you got after nagging dad, My dear, respect comes after concrete effort.
Anyway, happy reading!
The defence of a “burger baby revolutionary”
I do a fair share of reading on the internet, and it both humours and angers me in equal proportions to read what the so called intellectuals have to say about the ‘urban youth’ as they like to call us.
Authors seem to have used supernatural knowledge to conclude that due to our appearance and way of life, our opinions can be overlooked and that we are simply not in the same intelligence bracket as them.
Stop stereotyping
Our lifestyles, upbringing and appearances are ludicrously stereotyped, and our abilities to understand the world and the philosophy underlying politics in regard to the present day and recent history are erroneously looked down upon with blatant bias.
Mr Feisal H Naqvi (who I am a great admirer of) went as far as to label and disparage one of us personally. I do not believe writers have any right to defame a citizen of a country and make comments about someones’s opinions, hair, attire or style of living. The urban youth knows that, but an advocate of the Supreme Court (SC) and the Pakistani press obviously do not. But since they were okay with that, perhaps they won’t mind this.
We may not be what you want us to be
We may not have lived as long as you, and we may not have the same experience, but this is our country; every single quark comprising subatomic particle of it as much as it is yours. We may live with luxuries that many can’t afford. We may prefer playing video games instead of heading out on the streets. We may like to gel our hair. We may enjoy wearing NYC shirts and we may not be the most fluent in our mother tongue. However, there are many of us for whom none of that is true.
What is true is that we generally go to the best schools; we have knowledge of the humanities, sciences and social sciences. Many of us are educated in political science, economics, government, philosophy, media, history and finance. We watch news channels and read newspapers from different continents to get an unbiased view of the world. We love our country and whether you like it or not, we have an opinion about how it should be run. Age does not make you decide who is wise; it is wisdom itself that is required to understand wisdom.
The Imran Khan debate
Whether some of us support Imran Khan is unimportant. But criticising us for doing so with sweeping judgments of our “naivety” is an insult to us as well as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). For those of us who do support Imran Khan, we are not dim-witted enough to not know that the party, as well as Mr Khan, have flaws and have not come straight from heaven. But, what we do know (and deep-inside every single person with half a brain knows) is that every leadership we have been under has made mistakes that has put this country in the mess it is in today. Are we supposed to be inspired by these corrupt politicians or someone who is a proven leader and an honest philanthropist?
It is not PTI that has inspired the youth to take to the streets instead of playing Play Station 3. It is our situation. This is our homeland, and with every passing second it is being pushed towards destruction.
It is easy to play down our actions and opinions. But it is wrong to label us. We do not like being called innocent, and we especially do not like being labelled as “burger baby revolutionaries.”
I would love to settle this in an “academic labeler” versus “urban youth” debate, but for now, I would just request columnists to maybe show a little more respect and understand that:
“we are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.”
Thank you.
Hi there. Very well constructed commentary, but if you don’t mind i would like to present the other side of the coin. I wrote this, and i am neither rich nor a part of the elite. I know what it is like for people to live in poverty and in harsh conditions. I find it disappointing that you assume i am rich, perhaps lazy and ill-informed about the harsh realities of life.
I know to be taken seriously in any issue you have to present a case for yourself. Achievements, suggestions, policies, plans, ideas and solutions. I also realize that where you go to school is irrelevant to your abilities to make any sort of change.
I think you mis-read the article. I wrote this as a response to the unfair labels some people had given to certain member(s) of the Urban Youth. To be more specific, Zohair Toru was wrongly defamed in a lot publications – which i thought was wrong. But not only that, the assumption was made that a large portion of the urban youth is like him. I assure you i do not look like him, speak like him, think like him, or plan a revolution like he does. But my point is that these labels have to be addressed. I am nothing like him, yet you and many others were already convinced that i was by just reading a blog.
You understood my request of being taken seriously wrongly. Seriously in the case of the youth means normally, because we’re far less than serious as it is. I gave the example of schooling because i felt people felt the youth was dumb.
Once again i have worked with and among the underclassed. I do not mean to brag, but it is important to know that me along with several other members of the youth have volunteered and had to be in the worst conditions in NGOs in Pakistan. We have protested for hours during the Military rule and have been sent to jail as well. The youth is an age group, not a particular class of people with wealth.
P.S:
All comments about my knowledge of history, lifestyle and empathy towards the poor are unfair. I did not claim i want a revolution, but don’t say its not my right. You write well. You construct well. But your skills of analysis and the way you present another citizen of a country knowing NOTHING about him are ridiculous.
Well firstly, I must congratulate you- it takes courage and character to take criticism constructively, and you have done so, kudos to you.
Firstly: lets see at the Youth of Pakistan and we see there is two clases – one with have and other have-nots. You, I and others belong to Haves category. And we can have these conversations about where the country should go etc, while our tables are well full
There is have-nots, and they don’t such luxurious. They are numerous and they are in pain – it is their pain that is directly translated into a regressive Pakistan.
They are exploited largely by the parents of people with Haves.
Protest is a form of action which you do when your civil rights are at danger, for example when you are being jailed without charge, or where freedom of speech is curtailed. Say what you may, freedom of speech in Pakistan and civil rights are not in that danger.
What you mostly mention is the Social rights, more importantly, the economic dis-balance.
This is something that requires a systematic change, which can only be done through bringing in economic reforms and change in behaviours.
Its a long process, but sadly we aren’t even on the first step towards it.
By protesting for such rights, we are not going to get far, its not the government’s domain as such, because most of the injustices are private and due to private wealth hoardings. Its much likely when we talk about the problem, its the guy in PTI, whose father is exploiting the poor.
Every group of society is labelled – moment they align themselves with something, there always would be derogatory labels.
Point is not to worry about labels, but substance. My interaction with anyone who supports PTI has been, they lack substance. Toru was an episode that just confirmed everyone’s held prejudice.
PTI is an organisation that speaks in sound bites- they copy quotes from Chomsky, Leftists, Liberals and from Islamists – without understanding the inherent contradictions
If anyone supports that movement, my initial reaction would be that this person lacks substance. Unless you can prove otherwise
I didn’t mean to be personal, I am sure you are well aware- but you never showed that in that article.
And I am sorry, if you believe in PTI or Zaid Hamid or anyone similar, I am inclined to believe you have your history wrong (like they do)
Once again if you still didn’t understand i don’t want a revolution. I prefer increments. Revolutions can be bloody. When Musharraf was in power i protested on Jinnah Avenue in Islamabad with tape on my mouth because i felt i had no opinion in that leadership. You don’t have to spell out things to me.
Like it or not, it is politically wrong to publish in a newspaper remarks about a citizen’s hair, vocabulary, language and attire in a negative way. It was nothing but mocking. That was the gist of my article, nothing more. Certainly nothing like what you were trying to speak of it.
I don’t know why you went ranting on about the ways to bring a revolution. All i wanted to do was clarify the evident misinterpretation you did above that would easily misguide readers.
And please, spare me the lecture on PTI. I have been on this webpage before only to be very appalled by the blatant bias in the write-ups. I never claimed to be a supporter of the PTI, but once again like my article says, generalization is what comes naturally to people. I don’t affiliate myself with in any party, but in the circumstances, because of lesser of all evils and the absence of choice they will have my vote. Please try to respect this decision rather than lecture me. If you want to debate on this, one day in person maybe.
I do think you let your emotions write for you in the commentary, and like it or not, you were personal, and very wrong. Unfortunately i just happen to respect all literature and opinion, even if it is mocking myself, so i don’t seek an apology. It was just important to me that your readers were not misguided.
Fair enough – But it wasn’t I who used ‘We may live with luxuries that many can’t afford. We may prefer playing video games instead of heading out on the streets’
Anyway – I wasn’t presenting a how to guide to revolution – I am talking about reforms. If you want to do anything constructive, then work on that blue print – which incidentaly isn’t mine. Its what Most of the developed world has used, and so it is a well tested model. Most of them did it without a need for a bloody revolution
They had bloody episodes in their history, but reforms were mostly politically driven initiatives to bring about a social change for betterment of the majority.
I am not defending anyone who said whatever to Toru, I think that was a stupid episode in itself – I don’t care what anyone wears or does – it’s not my concern.
Everyone has a right to follow whatever views they want to hold.
But then I have a right to say they are wrong to hold those views – thats given. Thats how it works
This forum is supposed to be biased towards every party but PPP – but we try to be as partial as possible. If someone does/says something constructive, that is also lauded. But main thing is, we are who we are, because we disagree with your views.
Notice you haven’t tried to tackle the lack of substance. Anyways here is a good article on Imran Khan being part of same old, with new packaging
http://tribune.com.pk/story/153823/imranomics/
Again if you could just concede without dropping a line in the end i would not have to repeat myself every time. I did say ‘We may live with luxuries that many can’t afford. We may prefer playing video games instead of heading out on the streets’, but i also said ‘there are many of us for whom none of that is true’.
I’m glad you disagree with views. I simply disagree with some of the things you disagree with. In a way we’re not that different.
I have read that article on Mr. Khan, and i also intentionally did not respond to your clear request to start a debate. Your initial reaction to any PTI supporter is that they lack substance. I have a slightly harsher opinion of a PPP supporter. But like i said these debates are better in person than me and you write essays here and post hyperlinks.
Let me put it this way – the moment you stand for is mostly full of people who are people with luxuries. My subsequent comments are for people who are from that background- If you aren’t then good for you
Yes we aren’t different, because we think for ourselves.
What you are doing with them is beyond me, but whatever works 🙂
But what I had meant is that I wasn’t be being personal to you as a person, but the people who have luxuries and want to protest – and so on.
Yes, PPP has been in power many times – You can always criticise anyone who DOES something – as opposed to who does nothing – there is nothing to criticise there..
I don’t want to see the day PTI comes into power, but if it does – I can assure you, list would quadruple
Thats about it.. I guess
I have a bad feeling i will never be able to get along with you. You seem to be caught somewhere not able to confess you could have possibly been wrong about something you wrote and admit to it.
And don’t think i can’t see your subtle sly remarks about my views. Whatever makes you happy. I won’t be posting again after this. Like it or not i’m going to leave some advice. Being a great writer/journalist is about acknowledging mistakes you may have made. Albeit even in interpreting an article, or writing too emotionally about somebody. “It takes courage and character to take criticism constructively”.
Good day to you and good luck with the forum.
Allah Hafiz.
Lol
I did concede that my comments didn’t apply to you personally and it’s wrong to stereotype PTI supporters – but by virtue of that My criticism isn’t invalid – it doesn’t apply to current Author – and I agree as much
I am not a journalist or a writer – I am a commentator … It’s my job to be partisan
Thus far I think I have defended my corner and taken y
Lol
I did concede that my comments didn’t apply to you personally and it’s wrong to stereotype PTI supporters – but by virtue of that My criticism isn’t invalid – it doesn’t apply to current Author – and I agree as much
I am not a journalist or a writer – I am a commentator … It’s my job to be partisan
Thus far I think I have defended my corner and taken your criticism on the chin
😉
I still say you haven’t responded to content of my criticism and have taken this personally (not my intent)
That is unfortunate because that was my whole aim in publishing this – the conversation had diverted to personalities ..
I guess in future I’d need to more careful
This is preposterous. What a biased and wrong way to present an article. One that money people love FYI. You think PTI lack substance? You may be correct, i don’t know. I don’t affiliate myself with them. But if you (rightly) stay away from people’s personal life, then please explain this video to me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sqjOjFvts&feature=player_embedded
How can you even represent a party which has Fauzia Wahab, Rehman Malik and Asif Zardari in it? You call yourself a commentator for the PPP? I’d like to know on which ethical code you’re supposed to be partisan. I’m glad the author of this piece found you. How dare you mis-guide your readers in that way. And i don’t know in what universe this conversation is diverted to personalities. The party you represent has suffocated the life out of people to the verge of documented suicide. No one has gotten any justice, food, water or shelter. Prices have quadrupoled, conditions have gone worse. When the floods came, Mr. Zardari flew to the UK. Shame on you.
Excuse my errors in grammar, but most people would react to you in an emotionally outraged manner. Good luck finding any pro-you comments on this.
Interestingly, you are the second person who has come out in defence of PTI – yet refuses to align themselves with them. ‘Yes I like them, I’d vote for them, but don’t ask me to align myself with them’
Why, because it involves having to answer questions of gaping holes in the Party’s manifesto, its inability to formulate an economic policy, a social policy, hell even a political slant – A ‘liberal’ who for past five years have been in coalition with JI.
Unlike you, I don’t hide my credentials. I am a left leaning social democrat, and only party that agrees with my view point is PPP. So I align myself with them. By virtue of that position, I do become partisan, and I comment as a partisan person – what do you mean what ethical code? – when did ethical codes began arguing against being partisan? I Think it is the opposite, takes conviction to be partisan – it is very easy to talk of everything and say only the right things – which please everyone.
Finally, about any corruption charges, Video is nothing more than smear campaign – Few verbal indiscretions, for which speakers, not I, should answer and to my knowledge some have. If anyone has concrete proof, you won’t get more anti-government anywhere – start a suit, what else can I say?
I think Mr Abu Bakr has a point here when he points towards the perils of sweeping generalizations. I think it is immature to do so. Being a thinking person, he has the right to speak his mind and in fact his article (whther you agree with his political orientation or not) reveals that he is a thinking person. A person with SOME political orientation and with a brain is far better than apolitical person.
Regards
Raza
And yes, with due respect the commentary before the article was very immature way of intrducing Abu bakr’s article. In fact it made claims which are not made by mr Abu Bakr in the article.
So let me get this right.
You have no issues with concerns raised about the article, for example the lack of substance in the movement, its failure to see historic significance, large sections of the movement are bourgeois direct beneficiary from the current system. Which they berate at every instance.
You agree with that, correct? you only find my method of making this point immature. If so, then I take that on board for future
Dear Mr Talpur
To be very honest, I do find your method immature not your general philosophy. You are correct in your general approach towards democracy
I think it is important to retain credibility while commenting. First of all, you have actually given your own introduction before you posted his article. The idea smacks of creating bias before a person even starts reading his article. Secondly you have assumed certain things about the author without actually bothering to find out the actual facts.
That is all
Regards
Raza
How poor is it of you to post a blog my an individual here and ridicule him. Shame on you. And en excellent blog i must say.
by* an individual
@ Maryam Ahmad
Hats off to you Maryam. You have spoken the bitter truth. I fully endorse your opinion.
IMRAN KHAN is a true Pakistani who feels the pain of a Pakistani unlike (asif)Ali Baba Chalis chour mafia.
One can imagine the plight of PPP by the fact that same Babar Haiwan who distributed sweets on the death of ZAB is fighting his case in SC. SHAME
OWNED bitch. Next time try showing support and encouragement to the admirable youth who are willing to believe and stand up for what’s right instead of making such disparaging comments. You maybe entitled to your own opinion but in my personal opinion and many others it is people like Abu Bakr who are have taken a stand and are trying to make a difference. It is because of narrow minded idiots like you that we as a nation have not progressed.
Progress of what? bitch farming? with IK as the Shepard
btw… isn’t it interesting that majority of the comments here have emerged from same place, Chicago. hmmm its as if ‘Abu Bakr Agha’ ‘Maryam Ahmad’ and ‘Sarmad Tamim’ know eachother or just may be are the same person!
You over did it! This article has been off front page for weeks… only people with interest in it would keep coming to it..
Now Scurry away .. falsification of identity to deceive is a strict liability crime – aur Jail main barhi garmi hoti hai
LOL. I am currently studying law. So deception as to identity only contributes to a crime when it has been used to make a personal gain. Freedom of expression is a basic right given to human beings and this a blog-purpose being freedom of expression. And as far as identity is concerned your concern shouldn’t be with who I am but what I have to say. Thirdly and most importantly jail mein bohot garmi hai because the PPP which is our current government is so fraught with corruption that they have failed to provide electricity. When justice is served then one day you may interview them in jail and ask them about the heat levels inside the prison-an insider’s experience. Your articles will probably get more likes and will make more of an impact if you write from that perspective rather than attempting, unsuccessfully and pathetically i might add to disparage people like Bakr and myself who actually have valid opinions.
PS if you comment to this then you are a gay fag who needs to get a life. and revise his opinions. And educate himself as to what the current scenario in our nation really is. So please don’t talk about things you know nothing of unless you have a basis in solid fact-point in consideration also being your knowledge of the law 🙂 Toodles!
Brush up on Cyber Laws – and pay specific attention to Harassment. Freedom of speech isn’t absolute and ‘Personal Gain’ need not be Monetary
Disparage?
thought you were ‘anonymous’ – how does that logic work?
Lol – so much for ‘Moral High Ground’ – didn’t need to say all this – since it was all obvious till you made that homophobic comment