 For who she is
It is
around Ameri that Iranians in Diaspora should congregate and
support
By Mahmoud Ghaffari
May 6, 2004
iranian.com
Some recent articles on Iranian.com and elsewhere
prompted me to scribe this peace and depict a different perspective(s)
of who Goli Ameri is and why we, Iranians in Diaspora, should
support her. These articles were for the most part negative and
concentrated
on her political views as to her qualifications and her credentials
in running for Congress from Oregon. [Con: "Are
we sheep?", Con: "Inescapable
truth", Pro: "Foot
in the door" ]
Not to say that we have political differences and
they should not be voiced, but in her case we have the first of
many things that
we can support. The first Iranian-American, the first female of
the same, the first of her Stanford class, the first fellow Iranzamini,
etc to find her way to the halls of congress.
Let us not make any
mistake that this will be a great stride forward for us "the
immigrants" or as some think "the guests" to
this great nation. No other migrant group has been able to achieve
so much in so short a time. We now have the chance to send one
of our own to one of the greatest democratic venues and institutions
the world has known.
From its pulpits Ameri will be able to
voice our concerns, and most important those of our countrymen
who are being chocked under an undemocratic, so called Islamic,
and Inquisitorial style theocracy. In doing so, Ameri can
help America shape her foreign policy, especially towards that
of Middle East.
Who better than a Middle Easterner, specifically
Iranian-American to help Congress in shaping policies that
closely relates to the needs of both America, her safety concerns
and the stability of the region? Those who have followed Ameri's
ascension through out her political life know full well her passion
for what she preaches. She is fervent and passionate for the causes
she believes in.
Like most of you I may not agree with everything
she stands for, but then again who can we find that agrees with
all our aspirations? I have known Goli Ameri, when she was to
me Golrokh Yazdi, or as I call her "Amghezee". Although
I am a Democrat, but I am ardently supporting this Republican for
who she is, rather than what she stands for.
There are two things
that distinguish her from her contemporaries, her gender and her
Iranian heritage. I am particularly proud that an Iranian woman
has taken the role of leadership, because it proves to the "Oxidant",
and Americans in particular, that the "Orient" is capable
of producing people with leadership qualities that have democratic
values and aspirations.
It also sends a strong signal to the Islamists
and fundamentalists in Iran, that the female gender is more capable
of taking the helm then any man could begin to envisage. It is
around Ameri that Iranians in Diaspora should congregate and
support in all manners possible, so that we could begin to break
the
vicious cycle of negativity surrounding us Iranians.
Ameri has a
long and
distinguished record of political activism and leadership.
Her aspirations for public office span her entire adult life, and
she has shown her qualifications in several leadership positions.
There
is another quality to Ameri that very few people know of. She
is the kin of the late Abdullah Entezam.
For those in my
generation
and older, and in fact in many American political circles,
Abdullah
embodies that of Puritanism and humane passion. He was one
of the few incorruptible politicians and one who served his public
duties
with distinction and honor. If in fact, Ameri has one percent
of his genes in her, we should be proud to send her to the
House of
Representatives. Her presence will be a breath of fresh air
for
the house. Could her integrity also rub off on her counterparts
in the House? We shall see. Author
Mahmoud Ghaffari is the aircraft broadband communication project
manager for Boeing and is an Adjunct professor of Network communication
and computer science and Devry and National Universities.
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For who she is
