Pray for Neda
CNN Commentary / Roya Hakakian
26-Jun-2009 (2 comments)

Thirty years hence that fire still burns in Iran, because moments before her death, Neda Agha Soltan cried: "I'm on fire!" I am entranced by her because she and I are the only two possibilities of the dictatorial narrative: Death or escape.

She died. I escaped.

[...]

If history is a contest among competing narratives and icons, let the image of a young woman lying on the ground endure as that of Iran today. Let it loom so large to wipe away the memory of the thugs marching American hostages out of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

[...]

For 30 years, Iran's regime has appropriated God. Let us reclaim God from those who deny a family the right to properly mourn the death of their child through our prayers and help bring peace to a tormented nation.

>>>
Anonymously

only two possibilities?

by Anonymously on Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:21 PM PDT

Gripping read from an eloquent--human--soul. But dictatorships fall. There must be an alternative to 'death or escape', no?!


Balatarin
Share/Save/Bookmark

 
Azarin Sadegh

Excellent article!

by Azarin Sadegh on Sat Jun 27, 2009 02:40 AM PDT

Thank you Anonymously! Thank you Roya! So well-written...it made me cry. Not only for  Neda and other innocents victims of this regime, but for those who still live in that place that I used to call home...I guess it is impossibe for me to escape my sense of guilt and this overwhelming feeling of cowardice, just because I'm still alive and they are not.

     


  •