Iran, Women, & The Freedom To Travel ▪ Iranian.com

Kate - Trip Logic

There are things I just didn’t know about the world we live in. I didn’t know that glaciers could be so beautifully blue until I visited Alaska and saw them breaking and splashing into the ocean. I didn’t know that cave paintings were meant to come alive in flame until I walked through a cave in France and saw the way the curves and crevices of the cave walls created dimension and the illusion of movement. I didn’t know how terrifying, yet exhilarating it was to walk through a rainforest alone wondering what was making those noises high up in the trees.

Until today I didn’t know that married women in Iran must receive consent from their husband to obtain a passport. I didn’t know that in Iran a husband can ban his wife from leaving the country. I didn’t know that a new bill was proposing that a woman’s passport could be confiscated if her guardian changes his mind and opposes her travels and that single women would need permission from their guardian to leave the country.

I tend to stay out of politics, especially politics regarding countries and cultures other than my own simply because I do not know the depths of other cultures well enough to understand where their laws or beliefs come from – what their understanding and reasoning is. But when I read about the proposed passport law in Iran I was simply gripped by a great sadness.

I imagine a me, in different circumstances who might not have gotten to see that beautiful blue glacier, walked through those amazing caves or marveled at the wild of a Costa Rican rainforest. Freedom is such a beautiful word. It is even a more beautiful feeling. I am sad for the women who have arrived at the airport only to find out their travels were opposed by their husband. I am sad for the women who dream of seeing more of the world yet are not given the sovereignty to make the decision for themselves.

I wish for them a spirit that soars and a mind that wanders. I have always felt lucky to have gotten the chance to travel. Today I feel even luckier.

In honor of those who have not been as lucky:

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hillfor the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.