In response to comments about my photo essay “Cowboys and Iranians”:
If I was born and raised in America, this would have been a much different photo essay. It would have been from the perspective of a citizen who is deeply deeply concerned about America’s foreign policy and military aggression. It’s actions, especially since GW Bush, shows an alarming willingness to resort to military means. It is resorting to world wars to deal with a bunch of terrorists who could be easily contained with local security measures rather than wholesale invasions, destroying countries and killing hundreds of thousands, mostly civilians (do we even feel the enormity of the calamity? HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS dead! GONE!).
As an American citizen I’m scared to death of the amount being spent on the military and nuclear and conventional weapons. It does not make me feel secure. Who needs this much defense? Seriously? THIS many nuclear bombs and missiles? So many warships and bombers and this and that… who are you fighting? Why are you fighting? Why is there a need for so many foreign bases in parts of the world where there’s no imminent threat? I’m just asking 🙂
End the addiction to weapons and wars and the national debt will magically melt away. The educations system will suddenly regain it’s place on top of the industrialized world rather than the bottom, along with the health care system. And maybe we could focus on cleaning up the environment, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, space exploration…
But I don’t think as an American.
I was born and raised in Iran and my concerns are what happens there. I can’t help it! As an Iranian I fully appreciate, no LOVE, the freedoms that exist in this country, the tolerance for races and religions and views of all kind. And I see no reason why Iranians in Iran should not enjoy the same.
We are no different than the rest of humanity. The whole world has embraced secular forms of government, except us. The whole world has either embraced or is moving towards more democratic and representative governments. Ours is going the opposite direction. Which country in the world humiliates and enslaves its women like we do? Which country in the world practices and defends stoning? Should I go on?
I cannot ignore what’s happening in the name of religion over there. I just can’t. I cannot stop thinking about those who are in prison, those tortured, raped and killed. What the FUCKKKKK is going on over there? You want me to ignore that?
From my Iranian perspective, the fact that Crazy Horse is so honored in the land conquered by his enemies is fascinating. It shows me a level of tolerance that exists in this society TODAY, not when it was massacring natives, not when it practiced slavery, not when women did not have the right to vote, not when gays were in the closet. The election of an African-American inspires me. I’m no fan of religion or its temples, but building a mosque near Ground Zero says a lot about tolerance.
The freedom to think and act and express yourself is a magnificent thing. I know it because I’m Iranian.
