INJUSTICE

Dear Lance: If we were to

Dear Lance: If we were to follow Niloufar Parsi's racist cultural relativism's theory, there would still been slavery and practice of school segregation throughout the US of A.

If it were not for the The 1954 United States Supreme Court decision in Oliver L. Brown et.al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka (KS) et.al. is among the most significant judicial turning points in the development of our country. Originally led by Charles H. Houston, and later Thurgood Marshall and a formidable legal team, it dismantled the legal basis for racial segregation in schools and other public facilities.

By declaring that the discriminatory nature of racial segregation ... "violates the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws," Brown v. Board of Education laid the foundation for shaping future national and international policies regarding human rights.

Brown v. Board of Education was not simply about children and education. The laws and policies struck down by this court decision were products of the human tendencies to prejudge, discriminate against, and stereotype other people by their ethnic, religious, physical, or cultural characteristics. Ending this behavior as a legal practice caused far reaching social and ideological implications, which continue to be felt throughout our country. The Brown decision inspired and galvanized human rights struggles across the country and around the world.

What this legal challenge represents is at the core of United States history and the freedoms we enjoy. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown began a critical chapter in the maturation of our democracy. It reaffirmed the sovereign power of the people of the United States in the protection of their natural rights from arbitrary limits and restrictions imposed by state and local governments. These rights are recognized in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
//brownvboard.org/summary/

**Remove the rule of law in the United States of America, and you will see not much difference between Iranian and American religious bigotted conservatives...

The radical loser
Hans Magnus Enzensberger looks at the kind of ideological trigger required to ignite the radical loser - whether amok killer, murderer or terrorist - and make him explode

//www.signandsight.com/features/493.html

to creat fear in publics

to creat fear in publics and some of this hanging did by Palistani people in Iran not by Iranian, if you looking at a color on skin of this people are dark and Iranian are white people go to my pages
//www.iranian-information.com

lance: as long as it takes?

i really enjoyed reading your piece here particularly because of its sincerity, and the fact that we can all relate to it.

let me start by emphasizing that there is plenty wrong with the system in iran, and it is far far from being what it should be in my personal view, so that you do not mistake me for an apologist. but then here is the key qualifier: i do not presume that what i want or wish for is necessarily what iran wants or is willing to strive for. yes, many people in iran are totally dissatisfied with the lack of freedom in the country, but at the same time, the great majority of iranians are not willing to practice democracy in their own homes. this may even be the case with those in the diaspora. take gender relations as an example. take deep-rooted religiosity as another: 'godism' is not really conducive to democracy.

if i am not mistaken, you are mainly writing from a personal point of view that is deeply concerned with the question of 'identity' (underneath the surface) rather than a political one, but then you also raise big political questions on a collective level. i think this is where frustration creeps in immediately, not just for you, but all of us. what i suggest is important to remember (and i often have to remind myself of this) is that personal happiness cannot be made too dependent on societal issues if what we are looking at is the question of history and democratic development of a country. put differently: whether or not a nation of over 70 million people chooses the path of democracy - in an evolutionary or revolutionary manner - cannot be the overriding factor for the personal happiness of millions of individuals scattered all over the globe (us). i am not suggesting that we should not care, but rather that we should be more realistic in our expectations. 

and the key to your concerns, in my view, is related to expectations. here i think some like abarmard and alborzi are correct - and i suspect you may have misread them. a quick look at the history and even the map of iran shows that we have no close historical or geographical relation to democracy. we have almost always been governed by god-like figures who ruled with an iron fist, even in the cases of the most enlightened of them. it makes little difference whether it was a king or a supreme leader. we have never had anything else for any significant period of time. our historical propensity to riot is an indication of the lack of people power. the last revolution was as much a disaster as it was anything else (and it was positive in some respects), but the great lesson, i believe, was in that revolution is not an answer.

there is strong 'philosophical' justification for this. the whole idea of revolution is to bring far reaching change. but how can far reaching change be 'imposed' on millions by a group of revolutionaries? the change needed is fundamental to our very core. and until the day we own this change on a personal level, there is little hope of effective and lasting change at the level of government. to borrow a cliche: we need to be the change that we desire. this brings us full circle back to the personal versus the (collective) political. 

i for one would be more than happy if i can reach the ideals that i wish for my 'community'. beyond that it is a choice that others need to make for themselves. it will take time, no doubt. but give me evolutionary democratization any day. it is more likely to work and last than any revolution. at least, that is what the last revolution has taught many in iran, and it would take more than an 'anti-this or that' movement to get the people mobilised again.

and to echo the statements of some others: far better to have the IRI than witness your country being bombed into the stone age for the sake of 'democracy'. this, i suggest, is the concern of those of us opposed to a foreign imposition of any particular system on iran. 

so where does all this lead? i humbly suggest that it is time for the world at large - including the diaspora - to stop demonizing iran, and to try and understand her instead. the government of iran is a reflection of the people of iran. there are understandable and rational reasons for iran being how it is, and our frustration is at least partly caused by our ignorance of iran's realities.

that there will be change is beyond doubt. for one thing, no society remains static or locked in a time warp. also, globalisation is a real force especially on the level of ideas. if democracy is good for iran, then the people of iran will eventually do what is best for themselves.

at this level, the role of the diaspora may be crucial. perhaps we have not found the right tone or message to communicate better. in the first instance, there is a need to build up trust. once trust is established, then reason will prevail. inshallah!

Peace!

ps ever read Amin Malouf on 'identity'? very interesting perspective...

lance

The reason you see so many immigrating out of Iran is as the result of many problems in Iran created by America, war, sanctions,.....and IRI for lack of freedom and equal rights, injustice, jail and torture and some other issues.

You said, we believe there are no problems in Iran. Where did I say that? I was hoping you will lead us out of this mess and you just made a false claim.
I did ask you, if I should write the truth from both sides or just the negative part of IRI to make you feel good. You seem to have opened your mind already and do not need to know anymore.

To: Alborzi

In your  comment entitied "and thats the point," you stated at the end, "When these guys where in jungles we were building palaces in Persia."  Who exactly were you referring to when you said "these guys" and who is "we"?  I assume that you mean people of European ancestry when you say, "these guys" and you mean people of Persian ancestry when you say, "we."

I, for one, have never built a palace and I don't think many of the other comment posters have either.  I could be wrong, but something tells me I'm not.  Twenty-five hundred years ago was quite a few days back, don't you think?  You really had to go back a long way to find something about Iran to brag about, didn't you?  I guess that was one of my points all along.  All of us have to to go back two and a half thousand years to assert our bragging rights today.  What about the last twenty-five or thirty years?  What do we have to brag about?  I can't think of much.  Can you? 

As for the the jungle people...they seem to be doing pretty well now, don't they!? I guess since the time that we civilized and taught them to wear shoes...the shoe appears to be on the other foot...their foot!   

Oh, before I forget, I just wanted you to know that I am not only descended from the palace builders, but those jungle fellas too...so I would like to thank you for showing your ethnic sensitivity and superior ettiquette by mentioning my tree-swinging ancestors from my dad's side in the same breath that you mentioned the culturally superior palace builders from my maman's.  You really let your good manners and cultured demeanor shine through.   

To: MT

You asked, "So what's the solution?"  I don't know, but I'm not supposed to know. Those of my generation, who have been robbed of a country and heritage, have the right to hope the older generation might have some answers, but alas no one did.  Perhaps, that's because as Alborzi, Abarmard and Dariush have pointed out so eloquently and forcefully ad nauseum, Iran has no problems.  It is a UTOPIA...Heaven on Earth.  No problems = No need for soutions!

As I think about that for a moment scratching my head, I wonder to myself "Hmm....why then does Iran have the highest emigration rate in the world?"  Doesn't sound like Heaven to me, unless, of course, one does what Arbarmard, Alborzi and Darish do so well and that is to pull the ole "bait and switch" by changing or confusing the subject or by comparing Iran to someplace else like...say North Korea or Cambodia.  

Heck, what do I know?  I'm still waiting for my high school graduation to roll around.  But I guess now, all Iranians in the Diaspora can rest a bit more easily knowing that Abarmard, Alborzi and Dariush have got it all figured out.  Iran has no problems, and consequently, requires no solutions.

And thats the point

First of all those guys that you name wear their pants one leg at a time, they may be correct but how the heck they came to that conclusion.
More importantly, west by sanctioning Iran has made life tougher for all, and only idiots (or the guys with agenda) support that. It did not do anything to Cuba.
The last thing if as the pundits say IRI is so bad then surely the people who revolted against the last goons can do it again.

Dear Abarmard

In your latest posting You wrote my name Dariush while responding to Darius kavidar, whom I consider a new breed of Monarchies . I appreciate, if you please correct that in your next respond to avoid confusion. As we may have similar names, but we have different views and specially very different lifestyle.
Regards

Islamist neocons are at it again

Abarmard: You're propagandizing again:

Dear Jaleh
by Azadeh Azad on Fri Apr 03, 2009 06:23 PM PDT
When I went back to Iran during the early 90's and worked there for a couple of years, I was in contact with individuals of different social classes. No one, and I mean no one, believed that there was a democracy in Iran; neither the emerging reformists, nor the fundamentalists (the latter believed democracy is a Western and imperialistic concept!!!) So, your position is quite unique; maybe it is a more recent narrative, I don't know.

The above was taken from a comment section on this thread:

//iranian.com/main/blog/jaleho/alternativ...

Neither Vali Nasr nor Abbas Milani believe that Iranians are satisfied with the IRI as your try to portray here:

//video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5321612120...

//www.twq.com/09april/docs/09apr_Milani.pdf

I'm sick and tired of your shameless defense of indefensible under the guise of peace, humanity, and false patriotism.

Mr. Darius

It's fine to disagree, although I don't still understand your dispute. Yet the most important point that I like to make, as the comment below indicates is the correct path, to empower the Iranians inside.

Darius, Iranians are different in different levels. There are many nationalities that are very conservative, and some that are not as much. Most of the smaller towns and cities are composed of more traditional groups than modern. When we speak about Iran in the west, we tend to only focus on the "modern", if you may call it that, and forget the actual population. This doesn't mean that the population is not sophisticated or educated, but they are in a twilight zone, where tradition and modernity meet. Most people I would argue, understand harsh or traditional behavior than the milder modern and in the case of crimes, the families want the criminal harshly punished. This is a fact not fiction. Therefore in this case our society needs to grow and lead the system, otherwise you'll see angry crowds on streets against the "soft" punishment to the criminals. Specially if those crimes are family based, or rape.  

The examples I gave as the neighboring countries is to give a geographical bookmark on the map in our minds. Many areas in Khorasan, Sisiatan Baluchestan are not far off from the cultures of Afghanistan. Kerman or Hormozgan from Pakistan and Khuzestan from Iraq or Persian Gulf states. My point is that our population's culture is not far from the tree. Be realistic when you talk about Iran. That's about all I was saying in that part.

The most important point was to encourage the social growth inside the country by quantitative measures.

Hope this explains.

Thats a great question

"Who allowed IRanians to travel abroad and get Government "Bourse" to study in the US, Switzerland, France, Belgium and in the most expensive Universities despite coming from modest families in order to become doctors, engineers and any profession they wanted to follow ? "

it reminds me of this show (and movie) called "Haaloo", it predates most boys and girls so I give you a brief story. It essentially was about this country kid, who sells everything to come to Tehran. In Tehran he runs into all sort of character who by nature take advantage of him, his last remark was "travel makes you wiser"

The thing about Iran, is that now it has universities in almost all cities and small towns. kind of like USA. Their national insurance may not be great but it covers most. Their native industries are not the greatest yet, but they are a start. Shah was like the haaloo, he never realized that by spending the money did not mean he was part of the old boys network.

As they say we are not in Kansas any more toto.

Abarmard What Are You Talking about ?

You say :

"It's a great idea to perceive Iran as a high standard country, where Iranians are totally separated from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azarbaijan, Israel etc. and suddenly see them relocated to Europe next to Germany, France and Sweden. It's great to think that this government is the only Iranian government that has done "such" acts.".

I ask You :

Who allowed IRanians to travel abroad and get Government "Bourse" to study in the US, Switzerland, France, Belgium and in the most expensive Universities despite coming from modest families in order to become doctors, engineers and any profession they wanted to follow ?

So the fact that we did a Revolution and end up in an 8 Year War and support Terrorism throughout the 80's and 90's  to end up being considered as a Pariah in the West and labled Terrorists is a sign of Progress in YOUR Book ?

I really can't read you at times. Other than the probability that you may think this way because you may have lost family members during the revolution or during the Iran Iraq War, or that during the Shah's era you had family members tortured by the SAVAK, I cannot conceive how an intelligent person like you can consider the regime in Iran as decent and patriotic ?

You are stuck in a nationalistic mindset not a patriotic one which makes you think that there is a determinism in history that when revolutions occur they will only lead irreversibly to a path of progress. I have news for you, Politics and History are NOT Exact Sciences and Theories such as "Revolutions are Inevitable and Necessary" Led to the worst totalitarian States in the 20th century with arguments like yours and not to democracy ! 

Really Sometimes I don't know if I should laugh or cry when I read your misleading comments to the younger generations ...

Abarmard: Your sentiments

Abarmard: Your sentiments are utter jibberish and waste of precious time. Who are you to dictate, prescribe, and silence criticism, solution, and any unfavorable debate on IRI, by issuing your fatwas in the forms of "SHOULDS" and "SHOULDNOTS". Abarmard, this is not Iran. It's truly embarrassing to watch you make a mockery of yourself on a regular basis.

Mr. LanceRaheem

It's a great idea to perceive Iran as a high standard country, where Iranians are totally separated from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azarbaijan, Israel etc. and suddenly see them relocated to Europe next to Germany, France and Sweden.

It's great to think that this government is the only Iranian government that has done "such" acts.

It's great to view Iran from the social angle higher than it really is, because we were never allowed to experiment with our government.

It's great to view the world history from the result rather than the path, and judge the "human rights" of those nations, who ultimately are here now because of their past hardship as "always been".

It's great Mr. Raheem but it's not realistic. You may complain or you may ask: How can I help to speed up the social and cultural modernity in Iran?

What would really help the people in Iran?

Based on above, find materials and share those findings with us. We will all benefit then. Otherwise, "it would be nice" is not the medicine we need today.

Finally at the end, respect the people to choose their path. In the mean time just think what would help the people. Empower the people. 

Support NIAC today. Ask your congress person to lift the sanctions against the Iranian people.

Stand up and do what you can to help Iran. Now that's quantitative measure and not a slogan.

Happy Friday

Lance, why are lashing out at the Diaspora?

Dear Lance,

I feel you are generalizing too fast
about the Iranian Diaspora. Iranians who have left their country in the last 30
years have been faced with all sorts of problems of their own: adjusting to a
new country, learning a new language, adapting to a new culture and
environment, raising kids, facing racism and discrimination, studying hard in
order to succeed, and of course, for many, there has been nostalgia,
depression, anger, bad news, and many other problems directly or indirectly related
to exile. These have been obstacles for them, and too often they have been too swamped
to do anything for Iran.

I am not talking about these rich expatriates who
live in the chic suburbs of LA or Washington DC, where you may be residing, but
I am talking about the large majority of expatriates who have lived as refugees
in UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Netherlands, Belgium or Turkey.

A lot of Iranians have left their country for
political reasons and many have continued working hard in various organizations.
Many have been active in the opposition, many others in NGO’s and many have
tried to make a difference in any way they could. But you have to be realistic
too: how much can you do when you live 5,000 or 10,000 km away from Iran? When
all means of communication inside Iran are heavily censored, blocked and
monitored by the government, when any activity you do may result in the arrest
of a relative inside Iran or create problems?

Haven’t you heard of all these Iranian
expatriates who have gone back to Iran and have been arrested under the pretext
they were spies, or were killed doing their job as journalists (Zahra Kazemi)?
Aren’t these people members of the Iranian Diaspora?

Many people do not go back to Iran because they
simply just can’t, not because they don’t want to or because they feel too comfortable!
They have escaped Iran, or are under the risk of being arrested and
interrogated and be banned from leaving the country.

Alborzi: Two wrongs don't

Alborzi: Two wrongs don't make a right, do they?

Lance: Excellent response to

Lance: Excellent response to our deluded, brother, Alborzi. Please continue writing on this topic. As anonymous Fish stated, you're the future of Iran.

Those who are satisfied with the status quo are part of the status quo and will never see the need for change or moving forward. They are by nature regressive, reactionary, and abhor change.

and thats the point

I believe you and I have witnessed it,there was this young man who was mentally paralyzed. It was during the Iran-Iraq war, it was a war of aggression, every country was on the side of Iraq, Iran was the pariah state, the guy could not study, he was afraid to go back. I fully agree with you there are thousands who think Iran sucks, all homosexuals are killed, forget about Jews ... . What I am telling you, there is plenty of corruptions, bad mollahs, and some times bad justice, but thats par for the course, just be happy about your heritage. I think Iran's finger is better than Saudi Arabia (where women are second class citizens) Dubai where foreign workers are abused, kuwait, Afghanistan, Pakistan, just do not listen to propeganda, you are lucky. When these guys where in jungles we were building palaces in Persia.
Persian girls are beautiful. Just be proud and fix the bad.

lance

It was very interesting for me to read from someone who is born and raised in U.S. and has so much passion for Iran.

In my opinion, The reason that majority of Iranian in Iran does not oppose IRI, is the fear of foreign attacks and not so much fear of IRI. They would rather to have a bad government that can defend Iran from outsiders than civil war, that could very well be accompanied with attacks from outside. They rose against the shah because they didn't expected any foreign attacks and they were fighting one front. However, they were surprised and received Americans love through Saddam for 8 years. Iranians have had a very bad experience with these democratic, freedom loving, humanaterian countries for decades and do not want to take any chances.

Did your parents told you about Young and old who fought to save Iran in a war forced by west. While some of these proud persians and Anti Arabs ran away, instead of fighting Arabs and defending Iran. Yes, as you said, they are all talk. Have your parents told you that Iran has been under pressure and threats since day one after the revolution. Did you know how west is paying terrorists to create chaos by any means in Iran for the passed 30 years and more threats of war everyday? Don't you think these can create irrational thinking and desperate actions by IRI.
Should I not mention these and just write about IRI's negative points? Do you see how they are related?
Yes, some in IRI has done many crimes and they should be brought to justice, but as much as many want that, they also don't want to jeopardize countries security and become another Iraq.

If people do not feel threatened by outsiders, either Iran will become democratic or there will be another revolution. Some Iranians outside are interested in revenge more than anything else. Once they have the power they will be worse than IRI.

solution

Dear Lance,
So... what's the solution?

To: Alborzi

Thank you for your comments.  I feel vindicated that enough good people left supportive comments for you to see that what we feel isn't only in MY head.  For every one person that left a supportive or opposing comment, you can bet there are thousands who feel the same way. Thus many people feel like you do, but many more feel like I do.

You remind me of one of my uncles in Iran.  He is disagreeable and defensive about everything. Truely, he isn't a very pleasant person to be around.  If someone says the sky is blue, he'll say it's orange just to argue and be difficult. The world is full of people like my uncle.

I have never understood those amongst us that take the slightest criticism of Iran as an opportunity to get defensive and start comparing it to other places.  The reason I say anything at all about the land where my mother grew up, the land in which I now have countless relatives is because I CARE, like so many others do. I want IRAN to be a better place like all of us do.  

Just because some don't agree with me, I will not be an ostrich with my head in the sand pretending that all is well when it's not.  Iran has serious problems and none of those problems is going to get better by talking about Guantanamo Bay, the invasion of Iraq or any of the countless number of social ills in America.  You may not agree with what I have to say, but I assure you that what I say comes from the best of motives.  Don't think that everytime someone mentions problems in Iran that it requires you to get defensive. Is it more patriotic to speak openly about problems facing our country or just smiling and pretending all is well?  Iran's leadership shames our people and millions feel what I feel and you telling us that it is all in our heads will not make that shame go away.  

The sky is not orange brother, and it never has been!

Subtle Gods too

Its very interesting, I had this argument with a colleague og mine at Northwestern, he was very pro life and would not participate in any abortion class, he was still very pro USA. I tell him you know when USA dropped the nuclear bomb in Hiroshima on civilians it was a war crime. There must have been many pregnant women there, you see bombing a civilian population would cause revulsion among Americans, except if USA is doing it. If Iran does water boarding the Americans would be out raged. Call it uncivilized, barbaric. Essentially they may not say it, but Americans feel that there is divine guidance on their side, they can kill thousands in Iraq, Palestine, Shoot down Iranian civilian plane, its all divine choice. This is called the silent God.

Alborzi - Self Improvement and Self mutilation...

... both represent change, one positive and one negative with one common starting point: disatisfaction with the status quo.

This article is all about a disatisfaction with our collective record which stems from apathy, helplessness, procrastination and diversion.  Let's just agree that pointing elsewhere falls into one or both of the latter two categories.

Alborz

once again

khaleh has decided to muddy the water and compare apples to oranges. 

along with denial comes self-righteousnous.

lance.  you are a brave young man.  and quite possibly the best of the future for iran.  do not quit on her... she needs you.  for that matter... the WORLD needs you... your compassion and justice.

good luck and stay strong!!!

Alborzi: the difference is

Alborzi: the difference is those other countries don't claim that they are ruled by divine guidance via god's agents, the Supreme leader.

Lance

A very candid blog as usuall which sat in my heart. I felt your frastration and pain as it happens to me with most news from IRAN my beloved mother land.  Your are absolutely right we must DO something soon.

Payandeh IRAN & IRANIANS

Down with IRI

Thats the point

You see, when you see imperfections in your own, it leads to self mutilation, bulimia ...., the point I was trying to say that its not limited to IRI. You should as you say look for "universal justice", just realize this imperfection is universal too. Heck there are people who got executed in this "civilized, unashamed" country too. o-o

From: //azarmehr.blogspot.com/

What would an Iranian expect an Iranian president to do? I would say the most natural thing to expect is for an Iranian president to represent the Iranian people and stand up for their rights. At a UN Racism Summit, an Iranian president perhaps should highlight the case of the Talysh people in the falsely referred to Republic of Azerbijan, an ethnic Iranian people who are subjugated to brutal repressive racist discrimination by the Turkish Chauvinist Aliyev clan.

Perhaps an Iranian would expect an Iranian president at such a summit to proudly say how Iran, ever since the time of Cyrus the Great, abhorred racism and Iran has always been a place where different races have flourished together side by side.

Yet I watched Ahmadinejad do his usual babble about Palestine and I wondered would it not be more suitable if this guy became the President of Palestine? The Palestinians would probably be more happy and Ahmadinejad himself would be more happy and wouldn't need to hand out free potato sacks and cash handouts in his election meetings to buy voters. Iranians would be more happy too. It would be a win win situation and all would be happy if Ahmadinejad became the president of Palestine.

So far you probably expect me to say these things, but did the representatives of those countries who walked out during Ahmadinejad's speech do the right thing? Actually I don't think so. By walking out they allowed Ahmadinejad to babble on without being challenged and they allowed him to become the champion of the Arabs. For example imagine if a representative of one of those countries that walked out, stood up to Ahmadinejad's wolf cries for Gaza and reminded everyone that five times more Iranians were killed in the two months during the 1988 massacre of Iranian political prisoners by the Islamic Republic than were killed by the recent conflict in Gaza.

Or one of them who walked out could have asked if Israel is such a racist genocidal regime, why did the Islamic Republic buy arms from Israel during the Irangate affair?

//azarmehr.blogspot.com/

I want My Mullah Scalps !

The Mullah will hear about us, The Mullah will Talk about us,  The Mullah will Fear us, the IRI ain't got no Humanity !

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QY1T-2f_KM

Each and Every Man owes me One Hundred Mullah Scalps !

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcoPxyxpE9A

And I want My Scalps !

Just Kidding, LOL

BUT VIVE LA RESISTANCE NEVERTHELESS !

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRhg-Ioik8c

Excellent article!

I completely agree with you, Lance -- we MUST do more and talk less!

It's so sad!

As for Smartanonymous, who says: "So you carry a grudge that 99% of Iranians don't."

Are you saying that 99% of Iranians are happy with this putrid thuggish regime? If you are, then you should change your name to Foolish-anonymous or Paid-annonymous.

Just a suggestion.

Again, a tremendous article! Thank you for taking the time to write such a heartfelt and poignant letter. I, for one, am very PROUD of you, Lance!!!