Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Remembering the beautiful Neda


We've seen the green colour, the defiant crowds, the wounded, people trying to take cover from uncontrollable weapons of the Basij militias and police run away from the angry crowd. We've heard voices of people demanding for their rights, not only from that messed up election but also from unfair treatment of many. But, all that don't speak volume or didn't even come close to that touching, heartwarming moment of the graphic video of Neda, dying on the street. People who came to her rescue begged her to respond to them. Neda didn't and will never respond again. She went quietly and became the international icon of many who want their voice to be heard.

Neda has become the new face of Revolution. The beautiful 26 yrs old University student, is one of those who died trying to fight so that...they can be heard. That's all they wanted, a chance to speak up their mind. No word if she's the only woman who died in this on going chaos, or is there any other? There is a vast majority of female protesters, yes, female protesters, in the upraising against this regime. The beautiful face of Neda represents hope, light, justice, peace and so on and so forth. The young, beautiful people like Neda with their addiction to all things technology, are becoming the voice of the future if not a bright future. But why do they have to be provoked, poked and incited in a way that will cost their lives or other people's,? There is no way to engage them so they don't feel left behind and then retaliate? Young people tend to power a lot of things, be it elections or any kind of movement against the elites, the mullahs, lords of the world who think they can't be touched. However, I think time has changed. It's a speak up moment. Wahusika with their right minds should've known that.

The fate and political lives of Ahmadinejad and Mousavi were in Ayatollah's hands. Eventually, he was the one to decide the election, he has the last say. Him. Wouldn't it be fair to then, satisfy the wish of many? This obviously sounds like it comes from a mediocre person but, what's the point of voting then if the election can be decided by one person or a group of few people? This happens not only in elections but everyday. Regular people are not given a chance they deserve to speak up and share their opinions when it comes to decision making, for their own country.
But, you know what? no matter who decides the outcome of the election, if it's the Ayatollah or the supreme court. If people want to get their message across they'll do it. And the people of Iran did just that. Neda took with her the voices of the downtrodden.

1 comment:

GAME THEORY said...

Instead of reasoning by inappropriate analogy, it seems to me that we should make an effort to understand Iranian history and culture as context for

1) analysis of the situation and 2)the policy discussion.

The present situation does not seem to indicate a desire of the Iranian people to restore the Pahlavis, the Qajars, or the Safavids. A republican form, including an Islamic republican form, of government seems to be the consensus of the people at this stage of their history.


How things sort out depends on not only the various elites and factions of the elites but also on the Iranian people themselves.


I strongly agree with President Obama that a serious engagement with Iran, its government and its people, is in the US national interest. Whether this is possible will depend on BOTH sides making a serious effort.


Irrespective of how things sort out internally in Iran, there is a government structure that US government as well as EU structure will be dealing with...government to government, state to state.


At present the Supreme Leader in Iran is Mr. Khameni and thus he is the government official whom President Obama will be dealing with at the end of the day. Should Ayatollah Montazeri or another prominent figure replace the current Supreme Leader then that person would be who the US would deal with.


As President Obama has indicated, given the present state system in Iran, the presidential choice in Iran is not decisive in present day Iranian foreign policy. The foreign policy process would appear to be much more complex.


This is about state interests, not beauty contests, on both sides. To me it is logical that Iran needs to engage the world to attract the foreign direct investment, the technology, the know how etc. essential to further modernize the country. Given the present economic situation in Iran, it would seem to me that this would necessarily be on the agenda of the Supreme Leader and president of the country. A strong economy means a stronger Iran with an even greater regional role than it has at present...an objective all sides in Iran would seem to approve.


Is it any wonder that Iranian leaders and publics are sensitive about foreign interference given the history since WWII? Is it any wonder that Iranian leaders and publics are sensitive about the nuclear issue given the Israeli nukes aimed at them?


Is it any wonder that some Iranian leaders and publics are suspicious of foreign, particularly "Western" motives? Perhaps a January Makamba's blog ( I assume most work with Ministry of Foreign affairs) readers specialized in Iranian affairs could explain to us just how the "West" denied Iran access to a modernized steel industry some decades ago forcing it to turn "Eastward"? Is it any wonder that Iran is presently quite comfortable with its relationship to the SCO?

Ohh how can i forget NEDA? well i have had my own share dealing with Iranian girls and what can i brotha say? been there done that, got the T-shirt..I'm not even gonna talk bout my Economis pofessor...she made me feel like Dustin Hoffman in the Graduate