A few days ago Iranians all over the world celebrated the Persian New Year, Nowruz. Nowruz literally means "new day" ("now"=new "ruz"=day) and is the first day of the spring season and emphasizes new beginnings and hopes for good days ahead. Many Iranians celebrate the holiday by gathering with family and friends and eating really, really good food.
In the hopes of creating a dialogue with the government of Iran and goodwill with her people, President Obama posted online an unprecedented New Year's video message. Never before had any US official--let alone president--offered such greetings to the Islamic Republic since 1979. He offered an open hand and dialogue to the Iranian regime and expressed hopes for a bright and open future between the two nations.
This year President Obama has sent another Nowruz message to the leaders and people of Iran. Again, the president expressed his hope for cultural exchange and understanding, hoping to somehow find common ground on the big issues--Iran's nuclear program and human rights violations. Obama also emphasized his desire to provide all Iranians opportunity to open access to information and internet. Unfortunately, in his own Nowruz message Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rebuffed Obama's offer, continuing the trend of ignoring pretty much anything anyone from the West has to offer. It is terribly unfortunate that Iran's government chooses to further isolate itself from the rest of the world, on top of brutally oppressing Iranian citizens.
The internet has proven a valuable tool for the Obama administration in its efforts to reconstruct the US's reputation around the world, especially with regard to its Iran policy.. The president ran his campaign knowing full well the powers of the internet--it is not a mistake: he recognizes that it is a growing force--one key to the spread of democracy and free society.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
A picture is worth a thousand words. . .
This week's thousand-word post (like the other ones) speaks for itself pretty much. I'm posting it now in light of post about Neda Agha-Soltani. Her death and that of all the other Iranians were not in vain. They have and will continue to unite the people in their struggle for democracy, civil rights, and free society.
Source: http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/iran/ig/Iran-Cartoons/Iranian-Protests.0QQX.htm
Source: http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/iran/ig/Iran-Cartoons/Iranian-Protests.0QQX.htm
Iran and Israel over Spring Break. . .and communication (?!)
For my Spring Break I traveled and spent time in Israel. I left a little early in order to spend a little extra time with my brother who is there studying for the year (he's in Rabbinical school and its a requirement that all students spend at least one year studying in Jerusalem). It was great to see him; he and I have become much closer over the years and it was great to see him again. Nonetheless the focus of the trip was to visit graduate schools in Jerusalem (Hebrew University) and in Tel Aviv (Tel Aviv University), specifically I was there checking out Iranian Studies programs. Both schools are fantastic and unique--Hebrew University specializes in language and literature while Tel Aviv University specializes in the political and historical side of Iran.
I sat in on a few clases at both schools but at Hebrew University there was a class I sat in on called Persian Media. The class was held in Hebrew but the reading was in Persian. Aside from finding Persian with a Hebrew accent to be very strange, I also found it incredible that Iranian news sources were readily available in Israel. What made it so was. . . the internet of course! Was I surprised? Not particularly because many of my teachers use printed articles or sources from the internet all the time, but it still surprised me to see it there. It made me think about the shift from paper to electric sources--the stuff we're learning about in JOUR289I. Take the current situation between Israel and Iran: overt diplomatic ties are and have been dead for decades (nonetheless they still existed; if you'd like to know more take a look at a book called "Treacherous Alliance" by Trita Parsi) and I doubt they'll restart soon, either. But in spite of this the internet allowed the very kind and hospitable professor from Hebrew University search, print, and provide resources for her class on the Persian-speaking media (it was not exclusively restricted to Iran--one of the articles pertained to Tajikistan and another to Afghanistan, both of which are Persian-speaking). If there were no internet there is not way any sort of cultural exchange would have occurred. This use of the internet flies in the face of the ignorant assumptions made by each country makes about the other. Now people are reading, learning, and finding out for themselves.
I'm happy to see this goes beyond just studying material and leaks into regular exchange of information between people. The people of Iran and Israel are more similar than they think: they both are generally well educated, both love eating meat, and at times the religious people in their respective countries badger and push the general society more than they like. An electronic exchange of information would do the two populations some good. It would take away a little bit of the credibility of the stupid and dangerous political saber-rattling going on right now.
I sat in on a few clases at both schools but at Hebrew University there was a class I sat in on called Persian Media. The class was held in Hebrew but the reading was in Persian. Aside from finding Persian with a Hebrew accent to be very strange, I also found it incredible that Iranian news sources were readily available in Israel. What made it so was. . . the internet of course! Was I surprised? Not particularly because many of my teachers use printed articles or sources from the internet all the time, but it still surprised me to see it there. It made me think about the shift from paper to electric sources--the stuff we're learning about in JOUR289I. Take the current situation between Israel and Iran: overt diplomatic ties are and have been dead for decades (nonetheless they still existed; if you'd like to know more take a look at a book called "Treacherous Alliance" by Trita Parsi) and I doubt they'll restart soon, either. But in spite of this the internet allowed the very kind and hospitable professor from Hebrew University search, print, and provide resources for her class on the Persian-speaking media (it was not exclusively restricted to Iran--one of the articles pertained to Tajikistan and another to Afghanistan, both of which are Persian-speaking). If there were no internet there is not way any sort of cultural exchange would have occurred. This use of the internet flies in the face of the ignorant assumptions made by each country makes about the other. Now people are reading, learning, and finding out for themselves.
I'm happy to see this goes beyond just studying material and leaks into regular exchange of information between people. The people of Iran and Israel are more similar than they think: they both are generally well educated, both love eating meat, and at times the religious people in their respective countries badger and push the general society more than they like. An electronic exchange of information would do the two populations some good. It would take away a little bit of the credibility of the stupid and dangerous political saber-rattling going on right now.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Murder Seen Around the World
I would like to start this post by thanking my classmate Sahar for suggesting I cover this topic in my blog. Also please note that many of the videos linked below are violent.
The events of post-election Iran were vastly affected by the use of the internet. One of the most infamous internet videos from the protests was the filmed death of Neda Agha-Soltani. On the evening of June 20th, just eight days after election day, at a time when millions of other Irans flooded the streets in protest of the fraudulent elections, Neda Agha-Soltani, accompanied by her music teacher was walking through the streets of Tehran. It was then and there that she was shot in the chest. Ms. Agha-Soltani died moments after being shot, a spectacle seen the world over because of a video taken by nearby witness. The video is violent and painful to watch; but it galvanized millions of people from within Iran and without. Everyone witnessed the shamelessness and brutality of the Iranian government forces. The death of this young woman was a watershed moment in the life of the protest movement. It was the single most significant use of the internet in the short existence of the Green movement. While many videos that were posted showed basij and government forces beating, wounding and arresting protestors, this video was the most powerful of all. Many others had already surfaced (like this one and this) but Neda's death was starkly brutal and soon became a rallying point for the supporters of the Green movement. Her death was such a threat to the government they have spent the last few months scrambling for responses to the ordeal. They have desecrated her grave, prevented her family from conducting the proper burial and mourning rights; they even imprisoned her fiance for over two months. They have also blamed foreign agents (a regular go-to for these scumbags) in a documentary aired in January on state-run Press TV.
Just like many other people, this video is hard for me to watch. It is terrifying and cold. It represents all that is wrong and all that is evil in Iran. What makes it harder to watch is the disgusting report filed on Press TV. I am made sick and deeply angered by that video. It is such an affront to common sense and more importantly to this woman's life and death.
This horrible, horrible incident unfolded in front of the entire world because of the incident: the protests, the bloody murder of Neda, the bloody beatings and murders of countless other Iranians, and also, unfortunately, the despicable and self-obsessed videos from the Iranian government. At the same time that the internet has helped spread the cause of democracy for Iran and awareness of the crimes against the people, it still helps convey the desperate message of the regime.
I say desperate because their banning of proper burial rights and defamation of her family (just to name a few) are prime examples of a lost and misguided leadership. These people are scared; they know they have committed crimes but they do not care what they do as long as the remain in power--that is their central goal. Their survival is the primary objective and that only makes them more dangerous.
The events of post-election Iran were vastly affected by the use of the internet. One of the most infamous internet videos from the protests was the filmed death of Neda Agha-Soltani. On the evening of June 20th, just eight days after election day, at a time when millions of other Irans flooded the streets in protest of the fraudulent elections, Neda Agha-Soltani, accompanied by her music teacher was walking through the streets of Tehran. It was then and there that she was shot in the chest. Ms. Agha-Soltani died moments after being shot, a spectacle seen the world over because of a video taken by nearby witness. The video is violent and painful to watch; but it galvanized millions of people from within Iran and without. Everyone witnessed the shamelessness and brutality of the Iranian government forces. The death of this young woman was a watershed moment in the life of the protest movement. It was the single most significant use of the internet in the short existence of the Green movement. While many videos that were posted showed basij and government forces beating, wounding and arresting protestors, this video was the most powerful of all. Many others had already surfaced (like this one and this) but Neda's death was starkly brutal and soon became a rallying point for the supporters of the Green movement. Her death was such a threat to the government they have spent the last few months scrambling for responses to the ordeal. They have desecrated her grave, prevented her family from conducting the proper burial and mourning rights; they even imprisoned her fiance for over two months. They have also blamed foreign agents (a regular go-to for these scumbags) in a documentary aired in January on state-run Press TV.
Just like many other people, this video is hard for me to watch. It is terrifying and cold. It represents all that is wrong and all that is evil in Iran. What makes it harder to watch is the disgusting report filed on Press TV. I am made sick and deeply angered by that video. It is such an affront to common sense and more importantly to this woman's life and death.
This horrible, horrible incident unfolded in front of the entire world because of the incident: the protests, the bloody murder of Neda, the bloody beatings and murders of countless other Iranians, and also, unfortunately, the despicable and self-obsessed videos from the Iranian government. At the same time that the internet has helped spread the cause of democracy for Iran and awareness of the crimes against the people, it still helps convey the desperate message of the regime.
I say desperate because their banning of proper burial rights and defamation of her family (just to name a few) are prime examples of a lost and misguided leadership. These people are scared; they know they have committed crimes but they do not care what they do as long as the remain in power--that is their central goal. Their survival is the primary objective and that only makes them more dangerous.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Forgot a big one!
One more thing before I go to bed.
I forgot to post this when I first read it about a week ago and I just re-stumbled across it. "Bombard Iran...with broadband" was published in The Guardian in late February by Reza Zia-Ebrahimi. It is one of the best articles I've read regarding the fight for democracy in Iran, and it related directly to US involvement in the ordeal. It was so good I was inspired to write my Congressional representatives and I hope you do the same.
This article suggests the US not bombard the Islamic Republic with sanctions but with internet service! Genius! All freedom-loving people of the world want the freedom-loving people of Iran to have a fighting chance and if the US were to hook them up (no pun intended) with some internet it would be a huge boost to the Green efforts. This is directly related to my topic of Iran and Technology, and it is so important that this approach be used. Please, please read this piece and write your local, state, and federal (here for US Senate, here for House of Reps.) representatives; write your friends and tell them to write their reps. This is a great step towards civil rights for the Iranian people.
Please help these good people.
I forgot to post this when I first read it about a week ago and I just re-stumbled across it. "Bombard Iran...with broadband" was published in The Guardian in late February by Reza Zia-Ebrahimi. It is one of the best articles I've read regarding the fight for democracy in Iran, and it related directly to US involvement in the ordeal. It was so good I was inspired to write my Congressional representatives and I hope you do the same.
This article suggests the US not bombard the Islamic Republic with sanctions but with internet service! Genius! All freedom-loving people of the world want the freedom-loving people of Iran to have a fighting chance and if the US were to hook them up (no pun intended) with some internet it would be a huge boost to the Green efforts. This is directly related to my topic of Iran and Technology, and it is so important that this approach be used. Please, please read this piece and write your local, state, and federal (here for US Senate, here for House of Reps.) representatives; write your friends and tell them to write their reps. This is a great step towards civil rights for the Iranian people.
Please help these good people.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
International Women's Day
Today was International Women's Day and the Center for Persian Studies held a conference at Van Munching Hall in honor women in the arts. They hosted five wonderfully talented female Iranian artists who put on display their magnificent talents. It was held in Persians so it was tough to follow at times but I found it greatly rewarding. I also found this. It is a collection of a few cartoons from the early 20th century depicting Iranian women. Pretty accurate as to how Iranian women were treated. The situation has improved in many rights but women are still 2nd class citizens in Iran. If you are interested in this topic and would like some more info please read my previous post on Women in Iran.
The relation between the Green Movement and College Park (Pt. 1)
When the Terps won the other day against Duke I was ecstatic. A lot of other students were also really excited, enough so to revel in downtown College Park—shutting down traffic, setting a few things on fire, and subsequently causing the Prince George’s County police to show up in full riot gear. The events of March 3rd were hardly anything more than a knee-jerk reaction to the joy in beating one the most hated teams in college sports—there was no deep message beyond the expression of the student body’s jubilance. On the other hand the protests in Iran are a stunning display of an assertion of democratic rights and free society by a genuine movement of the people. It’s not too hard to point out the extreme differences between the two showings. The members of the Green Wave have been beaten, arrested, tortured, and murdered in their efforts to establish a freer society; here in College Park a handful of students were arrested for setting a John Scheyer jersey ablaze and other forms of disorderly conduct (which may or may not have included a few expletives aimed at Duke and its players). While my dislike for Mr. Scheyer is undeniable, I’m not going to discuss this specific or any other incidents. Rather I want to re-express my solidarity with the Iranian people. I personally appreciate the freedoms that I have as citizen of the United States so much more in light of their struggle, and I truly and dearly hope to see them achieve their dreams of free society. What has brought on this renewed sense of empathy, you ask?
The answer: the College Park riots of 2010.
I went straight home right after the game—I had work, and it was already late. After I was done I texted a friend and asked where he was (something protesting Iranians cannot do, as cellular phone service is severely restricted, especially in the days leading up to protests). He said he was heading back soon—he wasn’t trying to get pepper sprayed. Legitimate sentiment. But I wanted to see what was going on because I’d heard it was nuts. So I grabbed my bike, a notepad, and my cell phone and bolted over to Route 1 by the Maryland Book Exchange. What I saw was a mass of students being slowly shepherded onto campus. I also saw a number of students get beat, pepper sprayed, shot with bean bag rounds and paintball guns.
It was pretty scary stuff. I won’t get into who was right or wrong but I’ll say this: it is horrifying to have a gun of any kind pointed at you. Moreover riot police are intimidating guys. That’s their job. Having witnessed the post-game gathering on Route 1, I can say that I know something (albeit very little compared to the Greens) about being intimidated and threatened. It is not a good feeling—it is a terrifying feeling; when What’s almost as bad is when trying to get a logical explanation from the authorities after they beat and arrest a 20-year old college student (regardless of where you are), you are threatened with “Shut up or I’ll arrest you” or “Turn that fucking camera off.”
In the context of the Iran protests—where protestors were shot at with live rounds, beat by motorcycle riding thugs (who used anything from batons to chains), sprayed, arrested, and tried under penalty of death—I can only imagine how terrified these people must have been. More importantly though I can imagine how much they want their rights. And how much they deserve those rights. And how much the assholes (pardon my language) who attack them and beat them, should be punished.
What I saw is nothing compared to what the men and women of Iran must live through. No one in their right mind would suggest the vicious Basij forces of Iran are role models for the Prince George’s County riot police—that absolutely and totally absurd.
The answer: the College Park riots of 2010.
I went straight home right after the game—I had work, and it was already late. After I was done I texted a friend and asked where he was (something protesting Iranians cannot do, as cellular phone service is severely restricted, especially in the days leading up to protests). He said he was heading back soon—he wasn’t trying to get pepper sprayed. Legitimate sentiment. But I wanted to see what was going on because I’d heard it was nuts. So I grabbed my bike, a notepad, and my cell phone and bolted over to Route 1 by the Maryland Book Exchange. What I saw was a mass of students being slowly shepherded onto campus. I also saw a number of students get beat, pepper sprayed, shot with bean bag rounds and paintball guns.
It was pretty scary stuff. I won’t get into who was right or wrong but I’ll say this: it is horrifying to have a gun of any kind pointed at you. Moreover riot police are intimidating guys. That’s their job. Having witnessed the post-game gathering on Route 1, I can say that I know something (albeit very little compared to the Greens) about being intimidated and threatened. It is not a good feeling—it is a terrifying feeling; when What’s almost as bad is when trying to get a logical explanation from the authorities after they beat and arrest a 20-year old college student (regardless of where you are), you are threatened with “Shut up or I’ll arrest you” or “Turn that fucking camera off.”
In the context of the Iran protests—where protestors were shot at with live rounds, beat by motorcycle riding thugs (who used anything from batons to chains), sprayed, arrested, and tried under penalty of death—I can only imagine how terrified these people must have been. More importantly though I can imagine how much they want their rights. And how much they deserve those rights. And how much the assholes (pardon my language) who attack them and beat them, should be punished.
What I saw is nothing compared to what the men and women of Iran must live through. No one in their right mind would suggest the vicious Basij forces of Iran are role models for the Prince George’s County riot police—that absolutely and totally absurd.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Mobile Response (reading response assignment)
When i read the article "Cellphones in public: social interactions in a wireless era" by Lee Humphreys I felt like I was reading a standup comedy bit. A lot of the material was a collection of small observations like the "you ever notice. . ." comedy that Jerry Seinfeld would do. What makes a funny standup bit is the truth behind it. I think the article was absolutely indicative of people's tendencies when using their phones.
For instance, when I am with a friend who gets a call, I will usually look through the messages on my phone or try to distract myself in other ways. I also eavesdrop; not intentionally but there are always flash words that pull me into the conversation and I find myself "not paying attention" but at the same time listening carefully. I, like many of the respondents in the study, do acknowledge "the social norms of privacy and civil inattention" (Humphrey 818), and try to distract myself but still pay attention to whats happening.
What was probably most relatable about the reading was its discussion of being on the phone with a person respondents didn't want to speak to. If a conversation with a such a person runs on for too long I begin to make visible/audible indicators of frustration. Sometimes I'll make hand motions--i.e. eye-rolling, hand-spinning (as a sign to wrap it up)--or I'll start saying "alright" a lot in order to wind the conversation down.
With regard to circumstances other than those described in the article the most glaring one I can think of is sexting. I don't think anyone expected it to ever happen but the act of sending sexually explicit material via mobile device has become a serious issue in the United States. It has become more and more prevalent in recent years and as we discussed in class, it will be a pretty weird discussion for people to have with their kids.
This article was an accurate depiction of social tendencies when using cell phones. It's weird that we react the way we do to being shut out of conversations but at the same time enjoy the high-and-mighty power of determining who's call we will and won't answer. It just goes back to basic human reactions and feelings towards authority and vulnerability--it's always interesting stuff.
For instance, when I am with a friend who gets a call, I will usually look through the messages on my phone or try to distract myself in other ways. I also eavesdrop; not intentionally but there are always flash words that pull me into the conversation and I find myself "not paying attention" but at the same time listening carefully. I, like many of the respondents in the study, do acknowledge "the social norms of privacy and civil inattention" (Humphrey 818), and try to distract myself but still pay attention to whats happening.
What was probably most relatable about the reading was its discussion of being on the phone with a person respondents didn't want to speak to. If a conversation with a such a person runs on for too long I begin to make visible/audible indicators of frustration. Sometimes I'll make hand motions--i.e. eye-rolling, hand-spinning (as a sign to wrap it up)--or I'll start saying "alright" a lot in order to wind the conversation down.
With regard to circumstances other than those described in the article the most glaring one I can think of is sexting. I don't think anyone expected it to ever happen but the act of sending sexually explicit material via mobile device has become a serious issue in the United States. It has become more and more prevalent in recent years and as we discussed in class, it will be a pretty weird discussion for people to have with their kids.
This article was an accurate depiction of social tendencies when using cell phones. It's weird that we react the way we do to being shut out of conversations but at the same time enjoy the high-and-mighty power of determining who's call we will and won't answer. It just goes back to basic human reactions and feelings towards authority and vulnerability--it's always interesting stuff.
Reading list part 2
Hello again,
Regular posting will continue this week after some time off. The first thing I would like to post is a collection of the articles written by Dr. Muhammad Sahimi. As previosuly mentioned (and posted) Dr. Sahimi has been writing for Tehran Bureau, for a number of months now. His in depth analysis of the Iranian political landscape is practically unparalleled in both quality and frequency. TB has collected all the pieces he has written for them and put them here.
In an effort to help people wade through the mass of pages and articles I'd like to recommend a few articles. First and foremost the article titled "Turning Point: Where is the Green Movement Headed" is perhaps my favorite article written by the good doctor. It clearly and thoroughly discusses where the greens could be going, what they need to get done, and how they should do it. Definitely read that one. Secondly, "Why Ahmadinejad did not Win"--no need to really explain what this one is about. But also a fantastic and exacted deduction as to why/how the election was stolen.
Lastly, this article, called "Iran's Younger, Smarter Revolution," was written by Columbia University professor, Dr. Hamid Dabashi. Dr. Dabashi strays from the conventional idea that what is occuring in Iran is a revolution; instead Dr. Dabashi explains this a civil rights movement. While many Iranians may want a secular government, Dr. Dabashi suggests this is movement is not looking to overthrow the Islamic Republic, but really ensure that it grants the people many rights they were promised 31 years ago, but never received. My words do not do it justice, so please be sure to take a read.
That's it for now. There will be another post forthcoming talking about the protests and Iran and. . .the College Park riots (?) Stay tuned to find out.
Regular posting will continue this week after some time off. The first thing I would like to post is a collection of the articles written by Dr. Muhammad Sahimi. As previosuly mentioned (and posted) Dr. Sahimi has been writing for Tehran Bureau, for a number of months now. His in depth analysis of the Iranian political landscape is practically unparalleled in both quality and frequency. TB has collected all the pieces he has written for them and put them here.
In an effort to help people wade through the mass of pages and articles I'd like to recommend a few articles. First and foremost the article titled "Turning Point: Where is the Green Movement Headed" is perhaps my favorite article written by the good doctor. It clearly and thoroughly discusses where the greens could be going, what they need to get done, and how they should do it. Definitely read that one. Secondly, "Why Ahmadinejad did not Win"--no need to really explain what this one is about. But also a fantastic and exacted deduction as to why/how the election was stolen.
Lastly, this article, called "Iran's Younger, Smarter Revolution," was written by Columbia University professor, Dr. Hamid Dabashi. Dr. Dabashi strays from the conventional idea that what is occuring in Iran is a revolution; instead Dr. Dabashi explains this a civil rights movement. While many Iranians may want a secular government, Dr. Dabashi suggests this is movement is not looking to overthrow the Islamic Republic, but really ensure that it grants the people many rights they were promised 31 years ago, but never received. My words do not do it justice, so please be sure to take a read.
That's it for now. There will be another post forthcoming talking about the protests and Iran and. . .the College Park riots (?) Stay tuned to find out.
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