Comments on: The message: reform

By: Janice

Janice — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:29:06 +0000

@Anthony NYC, Wow, that is such an interesting observation. What an important lesson for all activists.

By: Anthony NYC

Anthony NYC — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:06:36 +0000

@AJ Hance,

I completely agree with AJ. There is so much tension in the air over the Iran election even well outside of Iran that it may overwhelm good intentioned people (especially young people who may not be seasoned activists) and cause them to be wary or even hostile to any perceived outsider as a potential threat.

I know I had similar feelings when I marched against the Iraq occupation in D.C. in September of 07′. I couldnt wait for one of the counter-protesters to say something so I could react to it. I mean, I was already yelling "No More Bush's War!" at the top of my lungs so it made it much easier to yell at the opposition whether right or wrong to do so.

I guess it is possible they legitimately mis-interpreted the attempt at solidarity as maybe a money making ploy of some sort but to jump to such a conclusion in a split second and to act the way they apparently did suggests inexperience and over-enthusiasm more than anything, in my opinion.

By: Janice

Janice — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:43:26 +0000

@Raina, I definitely see the point about other activists feeling as though their toes are being stepped on by other people taking advantage of situations by promoting their own cause. However, I think there are some misconceptions about the film and its "political agenda." I don't think that many people realize that this film was in the works and was made well before the Iranian election. Its message is human rights, also the message of the reformers in Iran.
Activists need to be careful not to judge the motives of others too quickly. A person you may be about to judge and even yell at in public may be instead a new ally.

By: Raina

Raina — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:26:11 +0000

I am flabbergasted at such a reaction. I agree with AJ that sometimes there is this air of *you're on my territory* when in reality the message must be unity. It's too bad that those individuals could not practice what they preached.

By: AJ Hance

AJ Hance — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:04:40 +0000

I wonder why the women at the rally reacted that way. I think sometimes people get defensive when they are overwhelmed or caught up in the emotion of the issue they are promoting. They end up not seeing the connections and almost see activists for other issues as competition.
It is too bad, because there are a lot of issues in this world that we need to support. Even if we can’t solve them all we can at least be nice to each other.

By: Janice

Janice — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:26:24 +0000

@Habib, Sexism is a huge force in this world. Having the power to control half the population is very attractive to some men, especially in disenfranchised communities.
The work of the activist is to teach men and women alike that the discrimination of women in wrong, no matter what the dogma attached says.

By: Habib

Habib — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:23:24 +0000

Nowhere in the Koran is a mention of this act, still why do they stick to an old barbarian act? Whats the motive?