From the Editor’s Desk – Shahrokh Ahkami – Persian Heritage, #80, Winter 2016
Season’s Greetings and Merry Christmas to all our dear readers. This wish is also sent to the people of the world who continue to suffer and the host countries, who over forty years ago graciously accepted us into their home, cared for us and allowed us to become meaningful and contributing citizens
My wish, as it is every year, is for peace. To the refugees seeking shelter and safety for their families, from the political storms and the cold winter approaching. I pray that they will find, as we did, a land that will accommodate and care for them.
A few days ago I saw images of young Iranian migrants. Their faces showed exhaustion and desperation. With lips sewn closed, they were waiting for the door to freedom to open. It never happened, instead it slammed shut in their faces because they are Iranian. They hoped that the dangerous journey they survived would end with a welcome to a new home. It didn’t because they were Iranian. And they remained hopeful that their silent screams would somehow be heard. But they were not because they were Iranian.
A few weeks ago while in London, I was sitting at the restaurant in our hotel enjoying breakfast. We were surrounded by hundreds of other guests but our attention and focus were on two other tables. One table was an Arab couple with a small child. The mother was completely covered except for her eyes. At the other table sat an Oriental couple with their small child. We, other guests, and their parents were enjoying the interactions between the two children. Though different in so many ways, they did not see the differences. They were innocent and pure succeeding in communicating and playing with each other in their “child language.”
This happened only a few days after the horrific Paris attacks. People were still on alert and were afraid. This interaction between these children seemed to ease our tensions and fears. Watching them reminded me of how pure we are when born. We lack the ability to understand hatred. Differences seen through a child’s eyes do not lead to fear and animosity but to curiosity. We remain pure until the outside influences of society, education, religion, family and politics taint us.
These children innocently smiled at each other held each other’s hand never allowing the difference of language and skin color to interfere with their fun. During our childhood years we laugh and love together without any expectations. Yes, we are all born innocent, but we are also born vulnerable and eventually we are impacted by our surroundings making us so different from what we were at birth.
Over the past twenty years, writing for this magazine, other media and lecturing has fortunately allowed me to make new friends and unfortunately make enemies. While I understand everyone has the right to form their opinion about my writing too often, they, without knowing me, judge my character and falsely label me. Their actions have resulted in some of my friendships changing into adversarial relationships.
Facebook has been around for more than a few years. At first I resisted the idea of joining, but one day I accidently opened three Facebook accounts, two personal and one for Persian Heritage. My days as a physician and journalist are very busy, with little time left for anything else. Too often I became consumed with this social media and without realizing it I would spend a few hours a day on the site. Many times I thought about closing these accounts, but I have to admit I was addicted. My curiosity to see what was going on in the world and how people react to events prevented me from closing my subprescription. Perhaps I was so attracted to Facebook because it allowed me to see how individuals approached life. Their makeup, perceptions and characteristics are revealed through their activities on their accounts and their responses towards others. Some are interested to share family events and pictures, others use it to promote their professions and others use it because of their interest in social and political events. Through Facebook they publicize their religious and political views. Others, like me, use it as an informational gathering tool for news and information, to study the different views of individuals and analyze political and social events. When I find interesting information I will post it on my page to share with my “friends.”
Like all of you, I am constantly being asked to “friend” someone. Without questioning who they are, I do. I am interested in their participation in events, not their political, religious or social interests. I must admit, however, when I see names of people from my hometown of Ghouchan, my state and Iran I get very curious and excited. It is interesting and fun for me to see how and what they are doing, again not their political and religious life. I love seeing the pictures of the present Ghouchan and am shocked with how it has changed and grown into a modern city. I am fascinated to see Ghouchan’s youth. The pictures they post take me back to my childhood years and I reflect on the Ghouchan that I knew 60 years ago with its old and broken infrastructure. I wonder that now as a modern city that it has still kept the wonderful qualities I knew as a teenager and laugh thinking how stupid I am to think it would remain the same as it was when I was a teenager.
Back to Facebook! One day I received a harsh and surprising message from a Facebook friend. The message read, “Dr. Ahkami it seems that you have joined the Iran lobby, so therefore I can no longer be your Facebook friend.” I was “unfriended.” This message took me by surprise. Not wanting to respond through social media I picked up the phone to call this person. There was no answer but I left this message, “For the past 76 years of my life no government, no governing organization, political or religious group has been able to buy my support. Now at the age of 76, it certainly is not going to be the case. I am certain people know that I am not changeable. Please call me to explain your message.” I did not get a return call, but I continued to be “unfriended” on Facebook in the following words“Dr. Ahkami I no longer trust you and since the Rouhani government has come into power you have showed your real color and joined the Iran lobby.” I responded,“I don’t know anything about this Iranian lobby or who is a member.” I also informed the person that I have three Facebook accounts and have “friended” people on all from everywhere and every group. I asked if there was anyone in particular they were referring to. I received a message back with two names. Instantly I “unfriended” these individuals. I informed this person of my actions and stated that I do not know these individuals. I further stated that I believed the manner in which this was handled was very wrong and unprofessional.
My action of “unfriending” these people bothered me. A few days later I thought to myself, as I criticized the behavior of this person, my behavior of instantly “unfriending” these people was equally unethical and unprofessional. How could I take such an action, especially as a journalist who believes deeply in the freedoms of choice and speech? On Facebook I am involved with many people of many different political views. How did I have the right to cut these people off and in a way deprive them of their freedom of speech. I thought that my action and that of this person was a form of censorship. I began to think that this friend, like many other Iranians, consider you an enemy if you do not agree with or do not think like them.
My regret is that people like this person, have a flag of war against the Islamic Republic. When you look at their individual circle of acquaintances you realize that it is fairly small. There are not too many friends and coworkers who support them. They seem to be lonely and are often the leaders of groups, comprised of one or two people. It is very sad to see that individuals in this free world, choose to dictate their views on to others. And when it comes to issues concerning Iran they become tyrants. They lose their ability to tolerate and or respect others with different points of views and sentiments.
In looking at the thousands of people I have “friended,” most speak about freedom and liberty for Iran and Iranians as individuals, not through an organized group.
As I told this dear friend, I have no affiliation or understanding of what makes up this so called “Iran lobby.”Except for some old friends from Ghouchan who still live in that area, I do not know these writers. I simply accept them and “friend” them because of my past connection to Ghouchan and Khorasan. I am not interested in their political and religious views. Most of them are much younger than I. All my life I have been an independent thinker. As the publisher of Persian Heritage I am proud to say I have never censored a writer from any religious, political or social group, due to a difference in my personal views. I am honored to work with them and respect their opinions and thought process, we can agree to disagree. I do not have the right, as a journalist, to censor their opinions, UNLESS they are disrespectful in their writings and debates and show a lack of love for Iranian people and its soil.
Will the day come when we can put aside our differences and rid the world of hatred and animosity and join hands, like the two innocent children of Arab and Oriental ethnicity? Will we, like the parents of those children, look past our differences in the way we think, dress, look and speak and simply enjoy the goodness and purity of each other and the fragile goodness of life? Will we ever see a world where differences in political and religious views, language, dress, food, drink, dance and music are NOT something to fear, but rather characteristics to embrace and learn from and discuss and seek friendly and fair solutions? Let us enter 2016 with the intention and goal to change “Will we ever” to” We have.”
As always I wish all of you peace and happiness.