Being yourself Quote by Tamer El Said
“For Beirut it was the civil war, and the dividing of the city - which is something that is shared among Beirut, Berlin and Baghdad. And Cairo is a city that has a scar that was born after many decades of dictatorship - oppression shaped the people's lives, and forced people to grow up accompanied by fear. I belong to a generation that, whether we like it or not, was shaped by this fear of death or loosing the people you love, the threat of war, not allowed to be yourself, forced to be silent - as you watch ignorance occupying everything around you. And this is a deep scar.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Middle Eastern urban scars, 2020
The quote reflects how prolonged conflict and authoritarian rule imprint deep psychological wounds on generations, shaping identity and behavior through fear and silence.
In simple terms: War and oppression leave lasting emotional scars on people and cities.
Recognize and heal collective trauma.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- mental health work
- education curricula
- community dialogues
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fear shape personal choices?
- What steps can societies take to mend collective wounds?
Healing is slow and may face denial or political resistance.