Ibn el Wazeer w Ibn el Ghafeer and the Americanization_{the Egyptian Explanined series}

 

source: Britannica

The son of minister will be a minister, and the son of the worker will be a worker, this is a translation of a proverb I once heard from one of the workers. I want to stress on the fact that this is very convinced by one of workers more than even the ministers. Even if this is related more to the ministers, I would not be surprised but it is remarkable it is disseminated and believed within the low and middle classes in the Egyptian society. this proverbs and other could have some point pertinent to a reality check mentality. It actually mirrors the foundations this society is grounded. It solidifies the on-ground reality that the norm and normal is for the son of the worker to be a worker and nothing else. It abolished any opportunity to be other than that being in the same class regardless of any other criteria this person might possess. It actually says a lot about who rule and hold the leadership positions in the country. it is a blatant statement that the ones who govern the country with the pressing issues from which the society suffers are the sons of ministers and grand classes la creme dela creme. However, there are a few leadership positions for the sons of workers if they got lucky and were consistent with the system. Therefore, not all the sons of workers are doomed to be workers if this is good news.

So convinced, workers?!

So why the workers could be more convinced in this proverb like the ministers if not more. The idea I think revolves around the hereditary cross-generational culture ingrained in the society. Again, I will refer to the Ya Fallah article and Ya basha article.

The cultural aspect is related to the consolidated culture of classism and prestige along with the developing countries issues package. The historical dimension of classism goes back to the Pharos and was existent in almost all the eras. Therefore, there are telltales, proverbs and wisdoms related to this aspect just to be safe and sound and not to hurt the society prejudice and be hurt back for conflicting consolidated stiff cultural imprints.

The point is mostly related to the linkages between poverty and basic needs. The fact that the basic needs are not for everyone and even if you have the basic needs, it is the opportunities provision. The access to fair and legit opportunities is not for everyone and yet if you are a worker, you have to be more than content and grateful if either you have the basic needs or an opportunity. why should be grateful? because simply it is not for everyone. needless to say, but there is the needs' pyramid, and the highest is the self-actualization. So how could you be satisfied if you always run and seek the provision of just the basic needs.

It is very comfortable and a relief to be a society approved person. This is approved by the society so if you are a worker and approve these imprints, you will be swimming with the current and be in harmony with the society and could save some drama and even stay safe. On staying safe, check the second point on the basic needs.

In fact, the society including the workers class could turn against someone of their own class if found out his/her overachieving attributes towards higher class or something. Why? these stories might put them In Front of themselves about their conviction's nature and its credibility.

The ministers, certainly!?

I think ministers and their offspring are entitled to acquire the copyrights of this proverb. Additionally, they could be the reason behind this proverb's dissemination. This proverb is a byproduct of the previously dealt situations. but I can summarize the ministers' point of view in two points actually:

• The first is the fact that they know or think they know how to run this country more efficiently than anyone else. In fact, they are the ones who hold the great deal of this country and without them the country will suffer from insurmountable consequences.

• The second is the cross-generational class conservation backups. In Egypt or as in any other developing country, there is always this fear and possibly paranoia on the offspring because it is good if you are among the elite. Therefore, there are always mechanisms to stay on top and secure prestige for the second generation.

So how American are you?

At the end of this article, I want to refer to something which is the "Americanization Trend" and how in a developing country like Egypt with all these intricacies is flooded with pro Americanization trends. leaving you with two words from fifties of American history "the American Dream". You can do it no matter who you are or where you come from or what you did.