Thursday
December 9, 1999
Hope in future
The Iranian has an interesting collection of letters on its homepage
right now - but one I keep coming back to is the passionate letter by 14-year-old
Rahill Jamalifard called "Long
Live Iran". I remember being 14, I remember the hope that springs
at that age for the future and for full involvement in that future. It
is like waking up from the dream of childhood and becoming aware of one's
surroundings as if for the first time. It is hopefully also a protected
awakening. For the future of Iran - it is that fresh, proud hope that we
must all protect.
I have sympathy for the views expressed by Mr. Shahri in his letter
"Kiss
ass" - it is hard to live in a country that is so wealthy and
so oblivious to the deprivation suffered in the developing world and at
the same time to feel truly thankful for partaking in that wealth. We enjoy
our wealth made in America from a system that rests on the backs of millions
who will never share even a measure of our good fortune. Iran is a country
filled with those people and most of them are young and still hopeful like
Rahill Jamalifard.
I also have sympathy for the views expressed in Nariman Neyshapouri's
letter "Fuggedaboudit"
- it is a cynical view. But it is one that denies much of the hard work
being painstakingly carried out by dedicated Iranians in Washington to
struggle in the face of all odds to educate, inform and bring honest political
representation for the many Iranians who live in the United States. It
is not true that groups who are not politically involved are more successful
than those who are.
A stunning example are the Jewish/Israeli interest groups that define
America's political and economic landscape. By any measure of success,
whether it be entrepreneurial, or political - Judaism and Israel have made
it in America. Iranian representation should not discouraged because of
the strength of the opposition - instead we should be encouraged that in
such a system a group can grow that strong. We should be ready to succeed
on all fronts - education, business, politics - one is not exclusive of
the others.
Iran is entering a delicate phase - the young people of Iran are hopeful
and hungry for jobs, information, a representative political system. As
an older member of that community it is my responsibility to do everything
I can to bring those hopes to fruition. If it is building schools and hospitals
lets get to it, if it is ensuring that our communities around the world
are well represented and not unfairly harassed lets work on that too. To
Rahill Jamalifard, your honesty and pride give me hope - may your future
as an Iranian / American be bright and successful.
Minou Aghamiri
