Today, Libya held its first elections in over 50 years, and while there are certainly tensions and concerns, there is also this: the unmitigated joy and power of those voting for the first time in their lives.
Witness this young man, from whom the title for this post was taken:
Or this young woman:
Or this man:
Or this woman:
Yes, there have been troubling developments as Libya attempts an extremely difficult pivot to democracy after decades of Gaddafi's rule and a fractured society. Yes, there have been some incidents of violence, the burning of ballots in Benghazi by those wishing greater federal powers and sporadic efforts to obstruct access to polling centers.
However, there is also this:
"I feel free at last. It's a feeling I cannot describe: like a human being," Asmaddin Arifi told the BBC.
As Libyans both celebrate the expression of their collective political wills and struggle with feelings of marginalization by or outright opposition to the democratic process, let us pause and recognize the history taking place in Libya.
And let us pause and consider those citizens who have marched and struggled, in Sudan, Syria, Bahrain, Iran and beyond, to actualize the history playing out in Libya.
Follow me on Twitter @David_EHG
Author's Note:
See Lawrence's diary from earlier for more on these elections, and for some truly phenomenal links.