WOMEN Rising Against the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of Iran and the CHURCH STATE of the West
“Woman – Life – Freedom” Fight goes on! Our Revolution continues. WE sisters along with the support of our brothers rise up again and again and again!
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of Iran and the CHURCH STATE of the West mistakenly think they can treat us WOMEN as collateral damage and unwitting pawns.
In the East, being a woman can get you killed – be that to make an example of you or to demonstrate enforcement of cultural norms to abide by Islamic law. In the West, being a woman means being at the mercy of a Supreme Court – a gavel coming down so hard so as to shock us into surrendering power over our body to a Church State.
Both EAST and WEST recklessly exercising resolute power in their attempt to control mind and body of more than half of their populations.
Elaine Sciolino’s book Persian Mirrors: The Elusive Face of Iranpoints out, “A time bomb is ticking and it has nothing to do with explosives.” For centuries, women and men have been raised to abide to cultural norms. Some voluntarily and others reluctantly.
Unlike in the East, the idea of “Let the punishment fit the crime” is by all accounts a Western notion. And here, with all due respect to Eastern leaders, is precisely my point. For better and for worse, youth around the world has and will continue to look to the West.
From Rock n’ Roll to smartphones, leaders of Russia and China didn’t like it for their people but they capitalized on it while retaining their communistic rule. Iran, come to think of it, the same way you have capitalized on the Russian war in Ukraine and Palestinian conflict with Israel. But I remind you; in this chaos nothing is static.
Iran, “note to the wise.” Listen to your people, the youth. Learn from a not so distance neighbor, Saudi Arabia, where yonder sits King, Leader, Man, and Prince. Age of transcendence starts with WOMAN and recognition of change in times.
Look not to the West as a foe but as powerful influencer that can be tempered. As children resent overly strict parents, so too citizens of their overpowering governments. Sciolino points out, “Iranians view America as a land of demons and dreams, of unlimited power and unlimited promise.”
Prohibition is a powerful motivator. Try telling a child they can’t go to an amusement park or candy store after they’ve seen it on the tube.
Iran, not surprisingly youth rebelling against their parents may turn to strangers or in your case supporters – adversaries and enemies. Is it any wonder speculations arise of Western powers having a hand in exacerbating demonstrations and protests?
In my December 2021 paper, Lety’s Ventures Through Persia’s Looking-Glass, I point to what Sciolino sees as “real people with needs and desires.” Adding that, “the women of Iran are steel magnolias, not shrinking violets.” World bared witness as their defiance came in the face of torture or death.
Over half of these “real people” in Iran are strong like-minded women. Strength in numbers? Just think, women are very close to half of the population or are the majority in most continents and countries: The Americas, Africa, Ireland, Russia, Israel…..
“Voices of Iran,” Our Bold and Beautiful Sisters
Death of Mahsa Amini brings to mind Neda Agha-Soltan, said to be the “voice of Iran,” killed 13 years earlier. As a returning fierce wind and shining star, they are ever present and not forgotten.
Also present and not forgotten are women who through their music and their extraordinary voice shine bright this world’s darken paths – reminding us that we women, we sisters, are not alone in our darkest moments. Our beloved brothers have set foot alongside us walking hand in hand.
Championing us leading the way I can almost hear the voices of Mahsa, Neda, and others, “Stand up again and again and again, for this fight for our lives and better future!”
And so to my sisters, rare gems, my friends in Iran, Ireland and around the world I sing to you a few words of a song by the beautiful and talented Googoosh:
“In a world full of lack of support
what a good feeling it is to know there is someone
who would save you from the grief of the dead end
when you have lost your way…
What a rare gem is friendship
The air of the (home)land and the aroma of its soil
are filled with stories of aged wines
and filled with the freshness of grapes and grapevine”
Woman, “She’s the Boss”
In the West, women are not given the death penalty for publicly exhibiting “wardrobe malfunction.” Sure they may be criticized for showing a little skin, but such notions are short-lived in a society with short memories. However, critics of the church have long been ostracized.
Sinéad O’Connor’s beautiful voice did more than sing. It bravely spoke out! Her words not only brought attention to Ireland and the Catholic Church but that of the Vatican.
Ahead of her time, some stood alongside Sinéad while others critiqued or “canceled” her. Today’s “cancel culture” in the United States is not new but likewise misguided.
America’s States are not so United on women’s rights to her body. Ironic is it not? A country whose Founders fought and died declaring independence from a King and his Church. US, WTF happened to “Separation of Church and State”?
Interestingly, from Sciolino’s past vantage point, “Iran is fighting seventh century battles in the 21st century.” Europe now appears to follow suit. “Enlightened” men have for centuries gone on witch-hunts and burned women at the stake, petrified of their powerful words and ideas branding them “witches.”
Once again, men in the 21st century wish to squash women’s ideas seeking to confiscate control of our bodies and minds. And these Westerners call themselves modern and advanced?
Americans consider it their god given right to bear arms. Hmm, can you picture an American woman exercising her 2nd Amendment right holding an Avtomat Kalashnikova aka AK-47 to defend her rights to her body as does her brother his property? Yep, Yankees have needed the help of a “Ruski” to fight and defend themselves!
As the world turns, judges and leaders alongside politicians will come and go. WeWomen will always hold the majority. Listen, there is a saying in the West, “A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I believe, a way to a woman’s heart is through her mind. Love and respect her mind and you’ll have her heart.
In Ireland, Iran, the Americas and across the world, there is as Sciolino so rightly points out an “unspoken bond among us that transcends culture, history, nationality, and language.” And by all means race, gender, physical challenges, and girls of all age!
Sisters and Brothers, let’s celebrate the lives of our fallen but not forgotten brave sisters and play our instruments, sing and dance in their honor!
“Chiquitita, tell me what’s wrong
You’re enchained by your own sorrow
In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow…
How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they’re leaving
You’ll be dancing once again and the pain will end…
Sing a new song, Chiquitita”
_____________________
گوهر کمیاب (Gohare Kamyaab) (English translation)
“Rare Gem”
Song by Googoosh
Source: lyricstranslate.com
“Chiquitita”
Song by Sinéad O’Connor
She Who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Shall Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty is a 2003 double album by Sinéad O’Connor
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Stefano D’orazio / Björn K. Ulvaeus / Benny Goran Bror Anderson