Ibn el Wazeer w Ibn el Ghafeer and the Americanization {the Egyptian Explanined}
What makes this remarkable is not just the statement itself, but its widespread acceptance among the low and middle classes in Egypt. Even though the proverb seems more reflective of ministerial power and elitism, it is internalized by the very people it limits. It reflects a kind of reality-check mindset, reinforcing the idea that Egyptian society is deeply grounded in inherited social status as stated in Ya Fallah and Ya basha articles.
Internalized Class Boundaries
This proverb effectively abolishes the idea that someone born into a working-class family could break out of that status. It says: you are where you're born, and that's where you'll stay — regardless of your intelligence, talent, or effort. It’s a blatant reflection of who rules and who remains ruled.
Yes, there are exceptions — a few leadership positions might be occupied by sons of workers, if they’re lucky or compliant with the system. So not every worker’s child is doomed to a life of labor. But the exceptions only prove the rule, not overturn it.
So Convinced, Workers?!
Why is it that workers, of all people, are the ones most convinced by this proverb?
This belief is rooted in a hereditary, cross-generational culture, where social mobility is seen as unnatural. The cultural reference here draws from Egypt’s long-standing classism — stretching back to the days of the Pharaohs and persisting through modern times. It’s reinforced through proverbs, stories, and "wisdoms" passed down to preserve social order and avoid conflict with deep-seated prejudices.
As mentioned in the "Ya Fallah" and "Ya Basha" articles (which critique class divides in Egypt), there is a cultural expectation to stay in one’s place. That compliance ensures safety, societal approval, and harmony.
The Poverty–Opportunity Link
Much of this class entrenchment ties back to poverty and access to basic needs. For many Egyptians, securing food, shelter, and safety is already a struggle. Those who achieve that are expected to be grateful, because the system doesn’t guarantee even the basics for everyone.
Access to legitimate opportunities — education, fair employment, mobility — is not equally available. The pyramid of human needs famously ends in self-actualization, but how can a person strive for that if they’re constantly hustling just to survive?
Society makes it comfortable to stay within your limits. If you’re a worker and accept your fate, you’re seen as cooperative and safe. Swimming against the current could not only bring drama but also risk to your safety.
Class Betrayal: When Workers Aim Higher
Strikingly, society — even the working class itself — may turn against one of its own if they show signs of upward mobility. Why? Because their success forces others to reflect on their own beliefs and limitations. It challenges the credibility of the very proverb they’ve internalized.
It becomes easier to believe in class permanence than to face the discomfort of asking, “What if we’ve been wrong all along?”
The Ministers, Certainly
Let’s not forget — this proverb also benefits the ruling class, and they may well be the originators of its spread.
From the ministers’ perspective, this ideology rests on two pillars:
They believe they are best suited to run the country. They see themselves as the backbone of governance, and without them, the system would collapse. Whether true or not, it’s a belief deeply ingrained in elite identity.
They want to protect their class status across generations. Just like in any developing nation, there’s a strong impulse to secure power for one’s children, especially when being in the elite means guaranteed privilege and prestige. This class preservation is often backed by structural mechanisms — private education, nepotism, policy influence, and more.
So yes, if anyone holds copyrights to this proverb, it’s the ministers and the elite.
So, How American Are You?
To close, let’s pivot to a broader cultural lens — the Americanization trend.
In a country like Egypt, full of contradictions, stagnation, and systemic inequality, it’s striking how American ideals like “The American Dream” have taken root. The belief that "you can do it, no matter who you are or where you come from" sounds refreshing — even revolutionary — in contrast to the deterministic proverbs that dominate Egyptian society.
But how does that dream survive in a context where basic needs are scarce, opportunities are uneven, and your fate is tied to your surname?
Final Thoughts
The proverb — “the son of the minister will be a minister, and the son of the worker will be a worker” — is more than just a saying. It’s a window into how deeply classist ideologies are embedded in Egypt’s social and political fabric. It reflects not just how the elite maintain power, but how the lower classes often accept and reinforce their own limitations.
The challenge isn’t only in dismantling elite control, but also in deconstructing the internalized beliefs that keep the majority in place.
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