In Honor Of Mohamed Bouazizi

You have been called the man who toppled Tunisia, the man who ignited the spark that set the Arab world on fire.  It is the first time the leadership of an Arab country changed because the people demanded it, rather than handing it over to the next in line relative. The first time ever. You set yourself on fire on 12/17/10, died on 1/04/11,and Ben Ali, who visited you in hospital, fled the country on 1/14/11.  I think about you every day. Remember you and your life.  How difficult it must have been.  You never had a fair opportunity, only hardship. I think of  your mother.  She misses you terribly, but she is proud of you.  I am proud of you too.  Now there are posters of you all over Tunisia.  Your friends and compatriots miss you.  They consider you a martyr.

In the United States self immolation is generally considered insanity.  In fact many had not even been aware of the practice until our involvement in the Viet Nam War.

On January 6, 2011, two days after you died, a 17 year-old high school student, Al Hamdi, a set himself alight in the principal's office for being barred from organizing a protest march to coincide with your funeral.  Five thousand mourners marched in your procession chanting,  "We weep for you today, we will make those who caused your death weep tomorrow. "

Although the seeds of revolution had already been sown, your deed was the catalyst for change.  No one was intimidated any longer.  Nothing could stop those who had been mistreated for so long.

You did not die in vain.  We will always remember you.