From the Editor’s Desk – Shahrokh Ahkami
Each time I sit down to write my editorial I get anxious. Will something else happen, in the world, that would be more appropriate to write about? Most of the times it does, but every September, since September 11, 2001, emotions and events in my life cause me to reflect back on how the world has changed since that horrific and tragic day. The events that unfolded on 9/11/01 did not only affect the lives of those who lost loved ones. Those events, like forceful waves affected the lives of the world ideologically, emotionally, physically and of course financially. They continue to ripple with each passing year, but those ripples rise again to a storm wave as September 11 draws near.
It would be ignorant for me to state that the anger sparked from those events is baseless for we all have reason to be angry at the animals that completed the physical task and the organizations behind it. I do not believe, however, that I should be considered ignorant in saying that much of that anger is directed at innocent people, those who became guilty by association rather than by fact. Surprisingly today, most of the world probably would not remember the names of the hijackers nor would they be able to remember their country of origin. They remember only that they were Moslem terrorists and that these mindless individuals completed their acts in the name of Islam. I remember the countries of origin, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt Yemen, NOT IRAN. But these criminal, misguided individuals could have also been from the United States, Germany, England, Canada etc. Is their origin as important as their mind set? Did their cause represent the majority of those practicing Islam, or are they as misguided by the words of the leaders they followed, as we are misguided by the incorrect labeling of Iranians, as terrorists? How or can these injustices be corrected or reversed? How hard can it be to educate ourselves with facts rather than fictions? How and why are we so ready to accept what we hear as truth rather than investigating and finding the facts for ourselves? We live in an “internet” world. With a few simple clicks of a mouse we can communicate with the world. But I fear we are often lazy and allow those, with their own, deeply rooted radical ideas to make decisions for us.
Constantly the public is reminded of the images of the hostage takers in 1979 and therefore they continue to be leery of Iranians. In June of 2009 the world saw a different image of Iranians unfold in the streets of Iran. It had to be reported, it was world news. The young and old sacrificed their lives and their freedom in protest against the suppressive government of Iran. As fast as those images appeared and began to change the world wide opinion of Iranians, they disappeared as quickly and with their disappearance their plight was forgotten. It is unfortunate that we, the public in general, are so easily manipulated. I guess it is because of the power of the media and our laziness to become disinterested in issues that seem not to affect us. We see the horrors and destruction of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes etc. While on the screen they draw our emotions, but when replaced by a new story they become a distant memory. Does anyone still think about the victims of these events, their plight is not over? Their lives are still in a state of disrepair. How many of us have already forgotten about the Chilean miners?
Some might say what I am about to write is “old news.” Some might question the reasonableness of my feelings. But the events I will discuss happened to me and have had a profound affect on my life. I am certain many other Iranians have experienced the same thing. Perhaps, had I and others stayed focused on our disappointment on how we were treated, Iranians would today be in a different place. Instead Iranians, like a beautiful piece of fabric, are left with a stain almost impossible to remove.
I am a proud citizen of the United States since 1975 and have traveled extensively with my U.S. passport. Every time I return from a trip and see The Statue of Liberty I recognize how lucky I am to have this citizenship. Yet on so many occasions I, as I am sure many of you, have experienced demoralization by customs officials. Since 1979 having Iranian origin has instantly caused some officials, at customs, to be less courteous and untrusting of my U.S. citizenship. With our open borders other ethnicities coming in and out of the U.S. for business, culture, education, vacation or to see loved ones do not face the level of scrutiny that we, as Iranians, coming from that part of the world face. Cubans fled our enemy, Fidel Castro, yet they are welcomed without insult. And, though the U.S. has fought wars protecting this soil from the arms of communism etc. those seeking asylum from the Soviet Union, Vietnam, China or just to visit for whatever reason do not face the same level of scrutiny that Iranians face. Why is it that Iranians wether writers, scientists, artists, teachers, producers, students and just relatives go through such great lengths in order to visit the United States? Is it because we have been linked to a terrorist group? Only we have the power to remove this stigma.
Recently I was reunited with a dear friend of mine, who I had lost contact with for thirty years. He called to tell me that he was in Canada. Without question I jumped on a plane to share a weekend visit. We, of course, were unable to catch up in two days, so I invited him to come to the United States to stay with me a while. He was very excited about the offer. I wrote a letter to the consulate stating that he would be my financial and personal responsibility while here. The trip was planned. Unfortunately, he called to tell me he was declined because of the Canadian visa he had, which allowed only one entry into Canada. I told him that he could leave from the United States. This also did not help since it would take too many weeks to obtain a visa to come to the United States. My heart is broken. I know, at this age I will never see him again. On another occasion, a dying mother was turned down from a request to see her children and grandchildren one last time. Why is it so difficult? Who is to blame for these insurmountable hurdles and hoops? What have Iranians, as a people, done to deserve this treatment? How long will this punishment prevail? When will Iranians be looked at without hatred and animosity? Why are those who seek to escape the oppression of the present Iranian government not given the same courtesy as the Cubans, Chinese etc?
I wonder who is to blame for this injustice that falls on the Iranian people. Is it because of Iran as a country or is it because of its rulers? Is it because of an order from the US government or just an uneducated reaction of hatred by an individual custom agent? Or, as I stated earlier is it our own complacency to such actions? I don’t know the answer. I just know I want things to change!
It hurts my heart to see Iran and Iranians, a country and people, so filled with natural and individual resources fall, to a level lower than China all because of its location in the world. Iran is only second to China in the number of executions and has the highest amount of baseless holidays, the highest level of unemployment and the highest level of addictions.
The Iranian government had an opportunity to rule its people with respect over the past thirty years, but instead chose to rule with a fist that is all too slowly weakening. Why have they not changed the shaking fist into an open hand reaching out to the world for friendship and partnership? I read the news every day hoping to see some hint that things are changing for Iran and its younger generation, but each day the news brings an ugly reality.
As I write this to you, it is the eve of the ninth anniversary of 9/11. With tears I remember those who lost their lives and those they left behind. With tears I cry over how different the world has become since that day. With tears I cry for the Iranians who were the first to light candles and extend words of sympathy to the United States on that ugly morning. With tears I think and wonder why we as a world cannot get along? As I wrote on the first anniversary of 9/11, I repeat those words again “Dictatorship, imprisonment, NEVER, friendship, kindness and respect, FOREVER.