But the people are not done, either. Demonstrations continued for weeks—albeit smaller ones. There are strikes and flyers and YouTube videos and Twitter and Facebook communications and the nightly retreat to the rooftops, a communion of neighbors, ceding the ground level, as always, to the thugs, but remaining true with shouts to God and against dictators.
And so I sit comfortably in my adopted country, unable to shake the images of the shocked and disbelieving faces after the "results" were announced; of the demonstrators—mature and orderly and, above all, dignified—with a belief in their own inalienable rights; not privileges doled out from time-to-time to release pressure but rights inalienable; rights theirs by virtue of their humanity. I see those faces attacked by the club-wielding, knife-slashing Islamic Basij blackshirts. I see the woman in front of Tehran University's main gate—always in front of the university—pivoting on her right heal and giving a left-footed kick to a thug three times her size. I see the other young woman who, by the virtue of a single grainy video of her death, has become a symbol of the end of some sort of innocence, bleeding on her hijab—that damned forced hijab, that true symbol of political Islam—as her pupils fixate upward in death. I see those I met and befriended during my trips—the young café owner with his hopes and his girlfriend; the cherry-seller with his complaints; the old taxi driver with his frustrations and expletives—and hang on to the fast-fading hope that this is, by some miracle, a zag in the road to democracy. But I also fear, deep down, that Iran is headed towards a military dictatorship, ruthless, its veil of legitimacy lifted for all to see, and with nothing to lose.
Iraj Isaac Rahmim is working on a novel set in Dubai and a book of memoirs. His recent essays and fiction have appeared in Antioch Review, Commentary, Commonweal, and Rosebud.
Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason at any time.
Sandi|9.24.09 @ 3:29PM|#
I took a shit in Iran once.
|9.24.09 @ 3:36PM|#
He ought to check out the bluer counties in the USA. I'm my current workplace there is a six foot high poster of Obama's face in the cafeteria, Obama teeshirts are common, and Obama calendars abound. A fair number of businesses in the area sport Obama pictures. No sitting Republican president has ever received such religious devotion. (Reagan wasn't beatified until after he left office).
|9.24.09 @ 4:01PM|#
They speak English in Iran? You learn something new everyday.
ll blow j|9.24.09 @ 4:16PM|#
"They speak English in Iran? You learn something new everyday"
People speak English all over the globe.
Geotpf|9.24.09 @ 4:23PM|#
Brandybuck-And every other pickup in Texas didn't have a Bush bumper sticker a few years back?
|9.24.09 @ 4:32PM|#
Interesting article.
In the first paragraph after the "Power to the People" section heading, there's the word "electionhttp." One imagines that "election" was meant.
And yes, Brandybuck. You figured it out. Obama is exactly like Ahmadinejad. Your workplace cafeteria's poster is just like the level of control in a country where women aren't allowed to show their hair, or touch their boyfriends' fingers, where nobody can drink alcohol or dance.
|9.24.09 @ 4:57PM|#
Religion of Peace but I pray to Obama.
Michael|9.24.09 @ 5:32PM|#
...the McBurger sandwich shop (the one with the large logo of a black African fighter, scantily covered with leaves and holding a shield and a giant speared burger)
Alright, that's it. I know what I'm planning my next vacation around, totalitarian thugs and travel restrictions be damned.
Douglas Gray|9.24.09 @ 6:09PM|#
I have friends in Iran who tell the same story. The people are too well informed and too rebellious; This regime will not last too much longer. Give it 5-10 years maybe.
|9.24.09 @ 6:27PM|#
English is the lingua franca of the twenty first century. There is much hilarity in that simple true statement.
|9.24.09 @ 11:12PM|#
Such an emotive article, I thought that a 12-year old girl wrote it. "Gyrating" to music in your cafe is hardly high drama....for normal people, at least.
Iran is backwards, so who gives a shit about what happens there? Why don't you go to Iran and stay there, your maudlin whining is tedious.
|9.25.09 @ 12:32AM|#
This article is the finest I have ever seen on Reason.com. It is a tribute to the human longing for freedom and justice in the face of oppression. The willingness of the Obama administration to abdicate this country's role as a light unto the nations, as the "last best hope of mankind" is just so sad. The American left is in power, and its hatred of this country and all it has traditionally stood for is plain to see.
It's time for libertarians, conservatives and moderates to declare war on the combination of socialism at home and surrender abroad that is the hallmark of Obama and his followers.
|9.25.09 @ 1:13AM|#
Iran is backwards, so who gives a shit about what happens there? Why don't you go to Iran and stay there, your maudlin whining is tedious.
I guess this qualifies as trolling.
The willingness of the Obama administration to abdicate this country's role as a light unto the nations, as the "last best hope of mankind" is just so sad.
WTF are we supposed to do? Get involved in a third war we don't have the soldiers or resources for?
Will|9.25.09 @ 1:56AM|#
A truly magnificent article, one of the finest I've seen on Reason.
Thank you.
spmonk|9.25.09 @ 2:39AM|#
This is deep.
zoltan|9.25.09 @ 3:29AM|#
Brandybuck-And every other pickup in Texas didn't have a Bush bumper sticker a few years back?
Still do. Unless you live in Austin, where obnoxious Obama sunrise logos, Obamanos, and Obama/Biden stickers abound. Ugggggggggggh.
|9.25.09 @ 7:20AM|#
I dunno, maybe just not kissing the ring of and bemoaning the evil and illegality of the previous government to every tinpot dictator in the world would be a start. Reagan didn't invade the Soviet Union, but he gave moral support to its dissidents. Obama's groveling is sickening, and completely unprecedented for an American president.
proud libitard|9.25.09 @ 9:29AM|#
that chick is totally hit-able
huangzhixian35|9.25.09 @ 9:48AM|#
HTTP://WWW.ICFSHOP.COM =====FREE SHIPPING FREE======
BIKINI $25. OUR COMMITMENT,CUSTOMER IS GOD.
http://www.icfshop.com
All the products are free shipping, and the the price is enticement , and also can accept the paypal payment.we can ship within 24 hours after your payment.
accept the paypal
free shipping
competitive price
any size available
our price:coach chanel gucci LV handbags $32coogi DG edhardy gucci t-shirts $15CA edhardy vests.paul smith shoes $35jordan dunk af1 max gucci shoes $33EDhardy gucci ny New Era cap $15coach okely CHANEL DG Sunglass $16.our price: (Bikini)coach chanel gucci LV handbags $32.coogi DG edhardy gucci t-shirts $15.CA edhardy vests.paul smith shoes $35.jordan dunk af1 max gucci shoes $33.EDhardy gucci ny New Era cap $15.coach okely CHANEL DG Sunglass $16
http://www.icfshop.com =====FREE SHIPPING FREE=====
I wish you a happy shopping and happy every day!
bryan|9.25.09 @ 6:28PM|#
who knows where iran would be right now if michael jackson didn't die and divert all media attention away
Acai Berry|9.26.09 @ 1:09AM|#
Iran gov is dictator.Iranian should stand united against him
Acai Berry|9.26.09 @ 6:32AM|#
"They speak English in Iran? You learn something new everyday"
People speak English all over the globe.
Colon Cleanse|9.26.09 @ 7:13AM|#
Obama teeshirts are common, and Obama calendars abound. A fair number of businesses in the area sport Obama pictures.
resveratrol|9.26.09 @ 7:50AM|#
It is a tribute to the human longing for freedom and justice in the face of oppression.
Acai Berry
stretch mark removal|9.26.09 @ 8:28AM|#
I think this is a shame that some one is kept away from his family for 27 years. Shame on that country and their government
Stretch Marks
nike shox|8.10.11 @ 11:24PM|#
is good