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End of Iran Awakening

I found the arrest of Shirin to be a particularly interesting part of the book. I was amazed that she figured out that how to predict who would be arrested and when the arrest would occur. Shirin also discussed how her daughter wanted to go to school in Canada. I was surprised that Shirin was considering it since she seemed so adamant about people staying in Iran and not leaving. But when I thought about it further, I think it is because she wants her daughter to have every opportunity available to her. I also think that she is afraid for her daughter's safety in Iran and is trying to protect her from doing some of the things that she did. If Shirin's daughter was arrested she would be treated far worse than someone else because of her political position. She always tried to keep her daughters from protesting and partaking in politics to protect them. I think that Shirin feels that if her daughter were to stay in Iran she would be like her and stand up to the government and end up in jail. Also, there are not many opportunities for women to get a hirer education and become successful. So in order to give her more opportunities to be herself. Shirin is considering letting her daughter go to Canada for school. 

I cannot believe that we are now working on our last assignment of the semester.

I would like to give a little background about my paper because I think that it is an important topic to think about. In short, we see in the media a lot that that this war that we are in is predominately one that is negative. However, what about the changes that we have made? Certainly, in the eyes of Americans it is seen to be something that is negative because it has come at the expense of American soldiers but we have made positive changes in the war in the middle east.

Some soldiers have also returned with stories that they will remember for a lifetime because they we able to aid in these peoples lives, provide clean water, and ensure a safer environment. These are things that we tend to not hear about when we are told about the war. All we hear about is death tolls and those who have been wounded. Not to say that that information is not valid, but it would be nice to hear once and a while that maybe we are making a difference and we are not wasting millions and millions of dollars on the war, and numerous lives.

Iran Awakening-

I firstly wanted to state that I think that the main character of this book is a very complex but highly educated individual and I enjoyed reading what she had to portray and write about. I was really shocked by her life and the troubles and triumphs that it entailed. Mainly, her being stripped of her judgeship, going to jail and also winning the Nobel Peace prize. These three things alone are huge life-changing experiences and the way she handled them I think was really courageous and strong. Many of the things that she discussed, were topics or occurrences that many would not wish on another but she was able to maintain her life.

I wanted to also call attention to the end of the book, which really shows how smart she really is. What I mean in particular is the way that she was able to get her book published by having an American represent her. I think that this was an interesting way to bend the rules but one that is highly intelligent.


Overall, I really admire her courageous attitude and I respect her for being able to maintain such a troubled yet positive existence.

The FInal Paper and Chapter

For my final paper I am looking at the Soviet-Afghan war and how the CIA's intervention created optimal conditions for the Taliban to rise to power. the title of my paper is "Afghanistan: A CIA Intervention That Lead to a Disaster." so as you can probably tell it will be in interesting paper. Doing research has been rally interesting. Over the last two years we have looked at everything and I really think that this project at least for me helps close the book. I hope everyone else feels the same way, I like the way we have the option to do whatever to close the pathway chapter. In terms of sources, so far I have found some very interesting thing's, I have read CIA bulletins, and Russian document's, that describe what was going on. Overall it is all an interpretation game much like everything with the Middle East! It's really up to the reader to intemperate the material I am the reader now but you all will be the reader soon, when I present my paper on the last day!

S0 this is on a completely different note. I have really enjoyed the pathway over the last two years, you all were the first people I met here at Colby-Sawyer. I know we all think this pathway has had its highs and lows but I really have enjoyed the ride with all of you.

See you next time!

End of Iran Awakening...

The epilogue of Iran Awakening is inspirational. Shirin is an incredible role model and inspiration to every single woman in Iraq. It was alarming to me the dates that this book took place in; 2003?? I have learned a lot about women's rights in Iran, and the policies they must abide by. The experience that Shirin experienced in the jail is what stands out most in my mind towards the end of the book. I was shocked when I read her "letter" to her girls saying that she had been arrested, but that it was okay, and not to worry because she would be fine and had done nothing wrong. Shirin was able to write the letter because apparently the press publishes a hard copy in the news when someone will be arrested, and the handcuffs come 3-4 weeks later. 

I found it ironic that I noticed the New York Times, and then Travis did his news report on it. I also liked how Carly's news article related to the book today, talking about how an American was accused of spying in Iran.  In the memoir, there was a photographer who was assumed to be a spy, and in the end she fell into a coma and ended up dying due to battering  (and possibly lack of medication.. which is besides the point..)

Good Book. Last post? Cheers & Jeers. 

Paper

For my final paper, I'm discussing guerrilla warfare in the Middle East. The average American does not understand the cultures of countries we have studied (Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran). And with all the turmoil America has endured while invading Iraq and Afghanistan, I think it is important to map out what exactly American soldiers (and other conventional armies like the Soviet Union in the 1980s) deal with. America has one of the most sophisticated, well trained, and heavily funded militant programs that outnumber most national superpowers. So how can smaller countries like Iraq and Afghanistan offer so much difficulty for American military? The unconventional strategy of guerrilla warfare is the key to this issue for conventional militaries.

There is a lot of research regarding this issue, which is obviously a good thing. I believe the best part of this research topic is getting inside the heads of both sides- The opposing army and the war guerrillas. Understanding the training, and the tactics will probably serve as a basis as well.

Iran Awakening

After getting further into the book, it reminds me more and more of Back to Afghanistan, but I feel much more attached to the author due to Shirin's in-depth personal details. She seems to have a way with her words and making readers feel as if they are the one suffering during the Iranian Revolution. One of the things I found most interesting about the book is when Shirin does something and then immediately looks for her husband's reaction, as if something is going to get him upset. For example, when her friends from law school come over, it is apparently custom for newly married women to devote themselves completely to their husbands and should no longer socialize with female friends. However, when Shirin's friends come over they are welcomed in by her husband, and he thinks nothing of it. It seems to me that the couple was raised in a similar situation, basing their childhood on trust and equality, as difficult that might have been in Iran at this time. 

iran awakening

This is a very good book, and I enjoy reading it. It mostly talks about women and their lives. Shirin Ebadi is the main character. Her father is the deputy minister of agriculture in the popular government of Prime Minister Mossadegh. Her father always treated her and her brothers as equals, which rarely happened. Ebadi graduated from law at 22 years of age, and she became a judge. The people stated seeing a lot of events happen that angered them, and made them want to overthrow the Shah. One event was very gruesome and disturbing. This event was the burning of a crowded cinema in 1978. Four hundred people died. This was shocking. I could not believe things like this happened in Iran. It is truly unbelievable what I hear what goes on in other countries around the world. I feel so lucky sometimes to live where I do now.

I had some technical difficulties last week, so this is my post from then...

The movie that we watched in class was very interesting and I enjoyed watching it. I found that music is an important aspect of their everyday lives. I feel that it offers an escape and is a source of entertainment. It distracts the people from all the horrors surrounding them, and offers a constructive way of dealing with and coping with those feelings.

I found that each one of the main characters changed from when the movie started to the end. Mirza changes because he left without seeing Hanareh after he was so determined to do so. Also, he takes her daughter, putting her ahead of himself. My opinion of him at the end of the film is that he is genuine, honorable and treats others with respect, and seems to have good intentions. Audeh changes because he ends up adopting a son, so he is willing to change his mind and when he plays the music for the refugee camp. Barat changes because he finds love and takes off his glasses as he goes to help her find her brother's body.

film-in class

event hough the film wasn't in English and we had to read the subtitles.. I still thought that I followed it pretty well. I thought the movie had an amazing story line. In the beginning I thought it was kind of odd that the father (who knew about importnant it is for a family to have securtiy)  made his son leave his wives and children. However, it ended up being a good thing, because he ended up adopting a son on his adventure. And it does not only save him from marrying another wife and it saves the kid. So throughout the movie, I really thought that the thing that stuck out to me was that the teacher was teaching and telling those kids about the air planes and that they might be crashing down ON THEIR HOUSES. 

overall I really liked the film and I am glad we watched it in class. 

Iran Awakening

"Iran Awakening" written by Shirin Ebadi offers a firsthand perspective on the changes that Iran underwent during the 1980s. I think it becomes most apparent after she returns from the United States to find how drastically the social order has changed on a public level. And with Shirin being a woman, the biggest change is having to cover her face while in the public view. I remember reading how she always forgot her cover; she would be sitting in traffic and got these strange stares from other people because she simply forgot to wear it. I think that says a lot about the freedom women did not have compared to men, but it also gets worse. Shirin lost her prestigious job as a head female judge and instead filed paperwork, a significant downgrade.

Through all the trouble she and other women had underwent, I think the chapter ends on a high note. It explains how Iranian women attended secondary education (and eventually out numbering male students by a slim margin) as well as learning the fundamentals of feminism. She explained that feminism was still all too new to women in the nineties to do anything with it; however, I think that this chapter is helping set the tone for the remainder of the book.

Marooned In Iraq

Again it’s a bit late!
I thought the movie was great, at first like most things in the class I wondered how was this relevant to the topic. It seemed like the three stooges in Islam. But after the beginning I saw the reason they may have approached it like they did. The topic was so depressing and so sad like most, that they brought in music and comedy to lighten the mood. It showed how the men changed after being affected by war. Much like the many stories we have read. I showed allot about the people how they must feel and how horrible living conditions are there. Again we know about all of this but I find that it always helps to see it to really understand it. I didn’t realize that the movie was about the issues in the 90's I thought it was about the current Iraq war.

Iran Awakening

I think this book is pretty interesting. The woman seems like a very well educated and a very intelligent woman. I think her determination keeps her going throughout this whole book or so far at least. I think growing up before the revolution makes her easier to understand from my western perspective; I compare her to my mom almost in some of her actions. I think it is interesting that she knows right away that this revolution is going to lead to nothing good for women, just because of an argument about hair. It reminds me of the scene in Persepolis when the mother's friend cover's her hair because the father walks in. It is just such a simple part of life that it is hard to believe that it matters that much. Another thing that I found interesting was the part when she is stripped of judge’s title because she is pregnant; it surprised me to hear what the men had to say about women not wanting to work. There is so much of that wishes some aspects of human nature didn't exist, that being one of them. I think it is interesting to see how she handles the being stripped of her title. She had worked so hard for something like that to get taken away from her so fast, and not only just fast but because she is a woman. Ok one last thing, her marriage seems very western which is part of how both her and her husband were raised but now most Muslim men would not fly their wife to the states to see a specialist, even if they do have money, most of them would divorce that wife and/or take on a new wife. Overall I think this book is very interesting, maybe that because it is not like most Muslim women we have heard about. 

Suicide Bomber Kills Iraqi Sunnis

With a recent presentation in class on the Sunni's and Shiite, I thought this article was very interesting and pertained to the information we have gone through in class. On the BBC news on Saturday, and story was posted pertaining to a suicide bomber who attack a US-allied Sunni militia group in Iraq. The bomber struck a group of Sunni military men as they were waiting to receive paychecks at an army post. This group in particular had been established through US sponsorship to cut violent threats and future attacks in the "Triangle of Death" as this area has been termed. Such a name was placed on the area as the town has been the target of a number of violent attacks in the past. Several concerns have been raised with this bombing, as the instance of suicide bombing has raised in the past weeks following the meeting of the Iraq government and the Awakening council (group that was targeted). Yet, of biggest concern may be the future plans of withdrawn US troops and the unstable security situation in Iraq. 

Iran Awakening

I don't know where the weeks go here because I feel like I blog everyday, when clearly I only am once a week... I guess thats a good and bad thing. 

So after reading the first chapter of our latest book, Iran Awakening, I can already tell that the book is going to be the "Iran version" of Come Back to Afghanistan. By the "Iran version," I mean that the novel will be told by the prospective of a single person, in this case, by Shirin, and the entire book will be both reader-friendly, yet will contain a lot of cultural background information and typical traditions. So far, I am glad that we watched the film Persepolis because when I read the word "Shah," I already knew what the author was referring to. I am most interested in learning about Iran so that I can have a background with the United State's relationship with the country itself. The only involvement I currently am aware of include the Iran Hostage Crisis and something to do with Iran having a surplus of foreign oil. Off to start my research for the paper.. The 27th will be here before we know it. 

Class 4/8/09, Iran Awakening

Class today was very informative and helped me to better understand names of important people within the book, Iran Awakening. I often find when reading books for this class the native culture and words that are used are unfamiliar to me. I make a good effort to sound the word out but it is so much different than what I am used to, and I usually just skip the word. That makes me unable to register the person, place, or thing. Then when it comes time to discuss them in class I usually know the first letter, but I don't know exactly what it is. I am also able to describe the character and how they are involved but it is much more difficult than knowing the name. I feel that knowing the names are very important and often by the end of the book I know them, but while I am reading I am not sure and I get easily confused. The activity we did in class that broke down each character and why they were important helped gratefully. I now know more about each individual person and can better understand the reading.

Marooned in Iraq

The film "Marooned in Iraq" follows the character of Mirza, a Kurdish musician, who hears word that his ex-wife Hanare is in trouble after she fled to Iraq from Iran to find peace. Through the accompaniment of his two sons, the three men set out to find the women by traveling across the Iran-Iraq border. The film is set in the backdrop of the Gulf war and its aftermath, aftermath that greatly affect Hanare. The men find themselves traveling under conditions of harsh terrain and extreme winter weather, only complicated and their current situation. Yet, these men are full of humour and love, and find themselves in experiences that can make for lighthearted humor. It was interesting to see the dynamics of these three men, as Mirza's selflessness and kindheart led them on an emotional family journey of their own. It is the discovery of a mass grave of dead Iranians that changes the forefront of the film. This gut-renching scene is filled with the omnipresent sound of mourning women and the noise of Saddam Husseins jets circling overhead. The trio finds these women lost and living in a nomadic manner, after the men of their villages were all murdered and attacked my chemical weapons, which affected some women as well. Yet, despite these conditions, the Kurds are exemplified as having amazing courage, courage that may have played an important role in sustaining their livelihood after Saddam's reign of terror.

The elements of the weather, along with the continous omnipresent sounds of griving and warfare ahead were what gave the film the emotional suspense element that it entailed. Images of abandoned villages, thousands of refugees, mass graves, and lost survivors gave the film the realistic elements of the cost of war. Yet, for me, it was the image of Mirza traveling across the Iran/Iraq border over scattered snow covered wire that exemplified the most. This scene showed the selflessness for others, the struggle of Mirza's journey, the disarray between countries at the time, and the element of love that prevailed over all of the negative components of the current situation of the country.

Film

"Marooned in Iraq" was a film full of humor, hope, and sorrow. The war between Iraq and Iran was told through the journey of three Kurdish musicians. The way Mirza, Barat, and Audeh travel together says a lot about the attitude of the Kurds during Saddam's grasp on them. Times were bleak, but two different extremes were very apparent. The distracting Iraqi jets heard flying overhead and the calming Kurdish music playing in the background offered the audience two different perspectives on the Iran-Iraq war; either come together as a people or admit defeat to Saddam Hussein.

The way the movie ties everything together is also important. Barat at last finds a woman he loves, Audeh finds two sons. and Mirza reaches Hanareh. Although he never never actually meets her, he took her daughter away to safety, something obviously worthwhile. This film does end happily for all three characters, but I think it's important to remember that not everyone in the Kurdish culture lived happily. But it does offer hope to viewers and this is something that any audience member would not object to.

Persepolis

This film was unlike nothing I had seen before simply because of the way that it was produced. I thought it was interesting how they used color to display the change in time. When watching this film, I could only compare Marjane to Meena who was the founder of RAWA. This idea could be entirely wrong but I feel like Meena must have been a lot like Marjane when she was a child; outspoken with high hopes for her life and the future.

For Marjane life as she knew it changed very fast, just like it did for all of the Iranian women. She went from coming and going as she pleases to having to wear a veil and go into a certain door for school that was only for girls. There was also a separate door for girls. As a result of what her parents, were also very strong-willed and educated, see they send her away to get a European education so she is able to receive the education that she deserves. However, because she is so strong willed and also feeling very alone she decided to return back to Iran, to attempt to make a difference. But, ultimately she removes herself from the place that she calls home, which was not an easy thing for her to do.

Overall, I feel that many women in Iran feel the way that Marjane did but we unable to completely remove themselves from the situation because they did not have the means to do so. When watching this, I wondered "Why didn't these women just leave?". I think the answer to this question is that the simply felt to helpless to do so and perhaps that cost outweighed the benefits.

presentations

I think that all of the presentations were very good. I learned a lot from all of them, and I learned a lot from the presentation that I did with my group. I did my presentation on RAWA. It is sometimes astonishing to see what different people around the world have to live like. Their lives can be a lot different from mine. RAWA was established in 1977, and it is still running today. There were a lot of people against this organization, and this is why the leader, Meena, was killed. Even though she was killed, she is remembered even today. These women grow up knowing that they are literally worth half of a man. Zarmeena was a women that had a very interesting story. She was accused of killing her husband, and she was murdered in front of a large crowd. The Taliban wanted to make an example of her. Her poem, 'I'll Never Return' is very moving, and I enjoyed reading it. These presentations were a very good idea, and I'm glad that we had the opportunity to see what everyone has been learning about.