Since my last post over two months ago, I finished the two intro sociology courses and caught up on website work that's been languishing. Perhaps it's the lull of the summer; I don't have much to say these days.
One thing that is in my mind, however, is the Iranian election protest. Suppose it's in everyone's mind. This year will be remembered as the year of Iran. I don't know anything about Iranian politics except what's streamed through the mainstream media. Nevertheless, the video of the 27-year-old woman Neda Agha-Soltan will forever be burned into my memory. Somehow seeing that woman fallen on asphalt, frightened by certain death, with blood gushing out of her mouth and eyes... it makes the whole thing feel personal, like someone murdered a long-lost friend. Why did the gunner kill her?
LA Times gives an account of when she was shot -- taking a break from being stuck in traffic! She didn't even have a chance to participate in the protest.
Source: TIME.com
Source: TIME.com
At what point does a cause become worthy enough to risk your life? your loved ones?
Comments (6)
I heard about the news. It's sad. I think it really depends on the situation, but my instinct would be the first most who would be my loved ones and then others.
It's a shame that people have to die in the name of freedom...
@starberri92 - yeah, I felt like crying when I first saw the video of the lady dying...
@Axis_of_Doom - Thanks for the rec! I agree with you, but from the little I know, it's always has been that way. It's hard for me to imagine what it's like to fight for something since I never had to put my life on the line like that.
Such a thing is impossible to answer for it is different in every instance, and for every single person.
I imagine Neda Agha-Soltan was shot by cops, was she not? Most nations in the world, including the one we live in, don't take kindly to large-scale protest. It's a pity that she was apparently an innocent bystander, but don't we in America always talk about "collateral damage" when it is us inflicting it on others?
I honestly don't know what the problem is in Iran, other than sectarian violence. Ahmadinjejad won almost 2/3 of the votes cast, so it's hard to imagine how the election might have been "stolen". It's not like it was decided by a few hundred votes.
@Axis_of_Doom - Who's dying in the name of freedom?