Iranian students, 1975.
Iranian pin up model, 1975.
As you can see, there's been a rather dramatic change in cultural norms in Iran over the past 30 years - from an almost completely Westernized country then, to a country today playing the game of "Keeping up with the Mullahs", it's been about 180 degree turn. Never forget this could happen anywhere - cultural forces can sweep over the objections of an individual.
Many people left Iran in the wake of these changes. And I'm sure some (many?) are glad. Progress is an odd thing - sure, Iran may have been Westernized with a greater amount of freedom, but there were also under the thumb of a despotic royal family prone to torture and disappearances (backed by the USA as well).
The same could be said for America, for example - one could look back fondly at the 1970's, and wish for those simpler times, but those simpler times were also periods of overt racism, sexism, etcism. So I guess the question you should ask yourself: Simpler(better) times for who? And why?
Once again, if you had only watched our terrible American media this weekend (all of them - I'm not singling out Fox on this, though of course Fox is by far the worst of the bunch), you would have learned little about the amazing developments in Iran. To wit: The protests continue, but wider spread, and the protesters have really started fighting back. Instead, you would have learned very little about the Underwear Bomber, though you would have heard alot of noise about him. But, hard questions were asked, like "Should Obama be on vacation?" etc.
What is happening in Iran is historic; the underwear bomber is nothing. And yet, here we are.
Enthralled, captured, to a media that is purposefully stoking fears, for ratings, purposely not covering real news (ratings), engaging in mass disinformation that I wonder, at times, if this can be chocked up to actual, intentional malice, or the usual collections of greed and ignorance.
Regardless, remember the real news here: The Iranians are poised to overthrow their government, and this will be but the first domino in a social revolution across the Islamic World, and thus the entire world. Here's the proof:
If you only watched CNN the last few days, you'd think nothing was happening anywhere in the world other than Michael Jackson dying, and Sarah Palin just cold "quittin'". But the situation in Iran burns on, a slow burn up till today, wherein the conjunction of a religious holiday and a previous memorial day has led for more action on the streets.
But the action on the streets of course is but the surface of the real turmoil, which seems centered on Qom, the religious capital of Iran; there, the various Ayatollah's seem deeply in conflict with the regime. And with the recent appointment of the son of the Supreme Leader as head of Basij; which just makes more apparent that this is an internal coup, where one group within Iran is seeking to take control over another -- that's the real battle going on right now.
The youth is with the Mousavi; thus, barring a massive, massive crackdown, given the demographics of Iran, the defeat of the current leadership is inevitable.
Also, masks: We've seen folks wearing masks at protests since the mid 90's; Islamic forces started wearing masks to hide their identities from the Israelis; now, everyone everywhere will be forced to wear a mask if they go out in public, since truly, the cameras are everywhere.
I make some jokes about the protesting babes of Persia, but I only half joke, cuz seriously, they are a beautiful people. But I don't mean to belittle them by any means, as I stand in awe of the collective efforts of the women of Iran on behalf of this protest. I have read story after story of brave women facing down the basiij with nothing but their honor and dignity to protect them -- which often does not. And as in this picture, I have read of several stories where women rush in to protect a male getting beaten down by the basiij. Think for a moment of the type of bravery required to do what these women above are doing: Risking everything, for a belief. For a better day.
It's all very inspiring.
Don't know about y'all, but I got Persia on the brain -- can't stop thinking about the events currently unfolding. Historic already, but if this breaks a certain way, this could be epochal; Persia is a vastly cultured and sophisticated land with a rich history; if the country were to integrate into the "normal" world -- specifically a more Western sphere - they would quickly become the leading country in the Islamic world, and very much so in the general region. It would be a benefit to the entire world for Persia to open it's arms.
So, what is going on now is now less the battle for our futures; on the one hand, you have the forces of repression and war -- and make no mistake, they're not just in Persia. The American neo-cons are rooting for the same thing as the ruling clerics in Iran (and the leaders of Al Qaeda; interesting alignment of sympathies, yes?). On the other, the forces of change, of liberalization and greater social freedoms.
Who will win? My money is on the protestors, on Obama. For no other reason than these respective forces of repression seem to be incredibly dumb currently -- the entire situation in Iran could have been avoided, for example, with just a bit more skill. Instead, they're going to lose power.
Just as the neo-cons have lost power in the US. Praise SHESAH!
PS: Check out the babe in the middle!
Tons of activity today in Persia, though far less reporting/images, as it seems the Iranian Govt crackdown on foreign reporters (in addition to their days long battle on the intertubes) has had an effect in slowing down the information coming out of country.
That said, and on a completely shallow note, man, there's a lot of beautiful Persian people out there protesting, especially the ladies. For no other reason than allowing these beauties to travel the world, Freedom must come to Persia!
PS: Lose most of the veils though, TIA!
What's going on in Iran right now is a big deal -- it might turn out to be a historically big deal. My thoughts are with the brave protestors who are fighting for their beliefs. I just hope the death toll does not go too high.
On a related note, if I had only watched CNN or MSNBC this weekend, or even read the Washington Post, I would have little idea what was going on in Iran. The difference in coverage between the MSM and some of the more active blogs (Huff, Sully, Balloon Juice) is stunning. So stunning I have to check myself and see if I am missing something, the gap is so large.
Another note: Watch the Neocons rally around Ahmadinejad. It started this weekend on the blog, but expect Faux News to pick up the ball and run. Nuts of a feather flock together and all. And also remember: The Neocons care nothing for the US or anything in this world, other than their own power and wealth.
