A city by the sea

It has been a centre of culture, art and commerce. The city by the sea is not only the largest city in the country, it is also the melting pot of people from all over. The city by the sea is a place that welcomes everyone with open arms — including those who die anonymously within its folds. The beach and the breeze is there even for those who are otherwise shunned by society, for they are too poor to be considered human. The city by the sea, for as long as I can remember, is known for its love of life and humour, its music, its food and of course its traffic. The city has boasted universities and cultural centres, art galleries and bookstores, hot debates and love stories.

But above all — the city is known for its people. People who have seen a lot, and have been through a lot. The people of the city by the sea are resilient, independent and carrying within them the tapestry of ancient cultures. The people of the city by the sea guarantee there is never a dull moment in life. But not all has gone well lately for the people of the city by the sea. In not too distant past, it was the people of the city by the sea who got caught in the crosshairs of violence and chaos, living from one curfew to the next. The people saw young men in their streets pick up arms following leaders who were anything but honest. The people saw blood spilled for reasons no one could comprehend. Some wanted to make the city unliveable, and in this they succeeded somewhat. In the days when order was replaced by chaos, the city by the sea saw an exodus of people leave for safer lands. But not everyone was ready to give up. For many the city is wound up with their DNA. It is who they are — too precious and too personal to give up on. When some left, others picked up the pieces of life for those who stayed. Not all was well — but life went on.

There are, however, so many times you can watch a horror movie on repeat. The people of the city — young and old — see the failure of governance, again and again, and fingers pointed at everyone except those who are responsible. They pay the price of a crime they have not committed. As they live through another difficult period, the people of the city by the sea see their leaders yelling on TV, crying in front of cameras and proclaiming their innocence. Some champions of empathy and egalitarian values are absent altogether.

But it must change now. The people of the city by the sea have had enough. They deserve a better present and a better future. They deserve a more decent life, where life is sacred and cherished, where planning should be inclusive, robust and transparent. Or at the very least, they deserve to live in a place that has a plan — any plan that is better than the status quo.

This time it should be different. These are some really awful times for the city by the sea, but it feels that change may be right around the corner. A change in holding leaders accountable, a departure from old practices of corruption and cronyism, and a realisation that it can no longer be business as usual. I am hopeful for the future of the city by the sea.

Of course, I am talking about Beirut.

Might there be another historic city by the sea, whose people who have suffered endlessly, learn to hold each other tightly, and hold its leaders responsible? I hope so.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2020.

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