Friday
January 5, 2001
Time to take responsibility
The other day, as I sat at my computer reading my emails, I came across
one forwarded by an Iranian friend to everyone in his address book. In
short the mail explained that a new Iranian-American organization ["Persian Watch
Cat"] had been formed in order to lobby against the so called
"discrimination" Iranians are subject to, specifically when traveling.
"It's barbaric that we must have our bags searched and our private
property scrutinized and fingerprints taken...why must they ask the occupation
of our parents?" The article read.
As I continued to read, I recalled a recent trip trip the UK where I
was taken aside and questioned for 20 minutes. And as I came upon the web
link where I too could vent my anger at the discrimination directed to
me.
Then it dawned on me. I suddenly realized that we have no one to blame
but ourselves. It was not a Farangi who held Americans hostage for 444
days. It was not an American who sponsored terrorism and may have been
responsible for the murder of innocent people.
It is no secret that our government, has for the past 20 years, preached
an anti-Western, specifically anti-American, philosophy. Why do Iranians
always blame others for mistakes we make? Why do we constantly shoot ourselves
in the foot and then try to hand the gun to someone else? It is time that
we take responsibility for our shortcomings and our actions.
No matter how angry or violated we may feel when our bags are opened
or when we are escorted to the back room for fingerprints, for once we
should sit back, shut-up and smile. Maybe then we can save what little
dignity the Iranian government has left us.
Ali Noshirvani
Links
