My president has not been in office since I was 7.
His supporters do not feel empowered to beat, cut, or shoot me for expressing my opposition to him.
During his presidency, I have not watched the gap between rich and poor become a chasm.
He has not attempted to shut off the Internet.
I know with a great deal of certainty when the last possible day he could be in office is.
I can belong to any political party I want.
I don’t have to vote.
The army is not directing traffic in my country’s capital.
As far as I know, no journalists or human rights advocates have been beaten in public there this year.
I will not be up all night protecting the entrance to my neighborhood.
I’ve been transfixed by the news from Egypt. Judging from the coverage, a lot of us have. It’s pretty amazing. I want to support the emergence of democracy in the Middle East, I think. If this will diffuse the rage of the people living there, it would be a great idea. And I don’t want people to get beaten up for expressing a political opinion or wanting a better life for their kids. I want to express my solidarity with the Egyptians who are striving for freedom. But I should not, for a second, think I feel with them the rocks, the shots, and the Molotov cocktails. I am not Egyptian now, but maybe someday I’ll earn that honor.