In Defense of Algeria

I wanted to share a letter I got from a youtuber in Canada and my response to him

I wanted to share with you one email I got from a Canadian who travelled to Algeria in the 80's and wanted to know why I did not focus on Algeria's troubles.

Here is the email and here is John's Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/Videomanjohn

Algeria
Date: Jul 14, 2009
Your You Tube pieces seem focus on the distant past, culture, sports and music of Algeria. What is your take on the political turmoil of the last 20 years, the FIS, GIA, etc.. What of the massacres and horrors of the Civil War? And, is Algeria today really a democracy?

As a Westerner do I have a skewed view of the country due to the a western anti Islamic bias in our press?

I know you love the country and I'm sure with justification, it's just that I'm curious how you contextualize its recent history.

Appreciate your thoughts if you are up for it.

Regards,
John


Here is my response

When I first came to youtube, or even knew of its existance which was about mid 2006, I started looking for things in English talking about Algeria's folklore and history and found absolutely nothing. I decided that that was reprehensible and decided to change things. I was shocked at the outpouring or response I got. I was deluged with comment after comment from people all over the world, from researchers and professors asking me for information and I had requests for certain types of videos. One by one, Algerians would give me suggestions for videos about certain figures or send me an mp3 to make a music video.
I decided to not delve into political matters or cover the civil war because there was so little coverage on the net of Algeria's history and figures and I honestly think that 12 years should not define a nation's history. This is a country that is thousands of years old with very little coverage in English and I just cannot waste time discussing things that Algeria is trying to get over and work through when there are so many positive things to talk about.
As far as Algeria being a democracy? I think Algeria is doing the very best it can considering what France did to it by burning all its libraries down,abusing and raping its people. Its a traumatised country and it will take time for things to level off and they are, year by year. My job is not to beat it up or make political statements. I feel my job is to find the beautiful things that have been lost through the years , and put them out for the world to see and show people who Algeria really is, behind the bad things that happened and that hope exists and that love is eternal..
I do what I do because there are Algerians in my life who saved me and for my son. I love Algeria and belong to her, no matter what has happened or happens to me. I have to do what I do because of this loyalty and love and no matter what happens, I know if I am in crisis or have trauma that someone Algerian will always be there for me. They are brothers in arms .. and understand loyalty and devotion. They are the most straight people I have ever met in my life and value people as they are and forgive a bad past and give people second chances. Only in Algeria , could a common thief Ali La Pointe, take a stand against an entire nation and become a hero. Even Houari Boumediene, was a fighter and if you look at Algeria as a whole, they are a nation of fighters... They as a nation never sold out to colonization and are fiercely independent , even today. They never lay down for any western country, they do exactly what they want when they want and you have to love them for that.. They run their own show and are lackeys for no one. In other words, Algerians do not "kiss ass" and that is an amazing quality. I love them for it.
I hope that answers your question John. I like your videos so much
Kathleen From Orlando