Do you ever wonder what goes on in men’s minds? Let me tell you. All that is needed is to give a man a pencil, an area for expression and utter privacy and he will confess every thought that crosses his mind. This is what the matter is all about and what I am going to tell you.
There is no better place for such a practice other than bathrooms, where a man can jot down all his thoughts on its walls or doors. It does not matter whether these completely secretive messages and thoughts are left for another person to just see it or to react with it, all that matters is that he let these thoughts out forever.
He let them out for me and for you on these doors and walls like Ancient Egyptians with their drawing on different temples and tombs. The tradition has not changed over the years. Some people do not reveal their identity as they find in concealing it their freedom to express themselves, break away from all the shackles imposed by the society and to say in private whatever he cannot voice in public. They do that in the restrooms.
This story tells what men write in different public bathrooms such as; the bathroom’s in
mosques, universities, shopping malls, train stations and even bathrooms found in their work place.
mosques, universities, shopping malls, train stations and even bathrooms found in their work place.
In a time when political expression was completely banned people found these restrooms their safe haven to express, as before the 2011 revolution people did not have freedom of expression as after the revolution.
What is common in all these messages is the extreme anger apparent in the expression whether it is political, social or even sexual.
In this story the hero narrates his story willingly in a secretive manner leaving no signs or signatures to keep his identity completely concealed. What is also very obvious is that men were capable of making a conversation with these messages and keeping their peace even if they were opposing parties. But men are men no matter what, a bit of superiority and humiliation can be found in some of the conversations.
In this story the hero narrates his story willingly in a secretive manner leaving no signs or signatures to keep his identity completely concealed. What is also very obvious is that men were capable of making a conversation with these messages and keeping their peace even if they were opposing parties. But men are men no matter what, a bit of superiority and humiliation can be found in some of the conversations.
This does not matter as I do not know who you are and you do not know who I am, and I will never try to erase your impact.
Throughout the trip of seeking the secretive impact of men a lot of surprises concerning religion, society, politics and sexuality were revealed. Sometimes I found emotional retaliation or even colleagues’ fights on the walls.
Throughout the trip of seeking the secretive impact of men a lot of surprises concerning religion, society, politics and sexuality were revealed. Sometimes I found emotional retaliation or even colleagues’ fights on the walls.
Other times I found humor. What was also very surprising is the correlation between the area where the bathroom is found and the types of messages left, for example; in public bathrooms a man finds an outlet for leaving a message or an offer for a mysterious woman.
“..What is noticeable is that those who are quiet in a society, any society do not remain quiet for long, in a way or another their voice rises gradually either in prayers, inside mosques, inside temples or even outside them. it also rises in bars, night clubs, while singing and when political and social jokes are made. Their voices also rise while facing death or while sending messages to the dead. It even rises through writing or drawing in bathrooms.” This passage from Dr. Sayed aweys’ silent cheer book looks for people’s words on vehicles in the streets. I try to inspire from him, but there is still a difference between the secrecy in public bathroom walls and cars that indicate who owns them and how free they can express themselves without being politically or socially prosecuted.
“..What is noticeable is that those who are quiet in a society, any society do not remain quiet for long, in a way or another their voice rises gradually either in prayers, inside mosques, inside temples or even outside them. it also rises in bars, night clubs, while singing and when political and social jokes are made. Their voices also rise while facing death or while sending messages to the dead. It even rises through writing or drawing in bathrooms.” This passage from Dr. Sayed aweys’ silent cheer book looks for people’s words on vehicles in the streets. I try to inspire from him, but there is still a difference between the secrecy in public bathroom walls and cars that indicate who owns them and how free they can express themselves without being politically or socially prosecuted.
A story that is not published
There is more…
