You want me to cover my hair
I say no!
You say it’s the sign of piety
I say no!
You say it will protect me from harm
I say no!
You say otherwise I’ll excite men
I say no!
You can’t convince me to do something I don’t want to do
You don’t realize how strong I am
You have tried to put me down
But each time, you see me rise
You fear me and my courage
You should!
I am determined and won’t back down
I will continue this fight
I see you are worried and
You should be!
Women, life, liberty!
March 2023
What we want is an ordinary life
We don’t ask for much
Just allow us to wear what we want
What’s the harm in that?
Just allow us to speak freely
What are you afraid of?
Just allow us these normal things
Safety in the streets
Practicing our religion
Equality regardless of ethnicity
Just treat women like you treat men
This is the 21st century
The old ways of looking at the world do not work
Old rules and laws do not suit our society
What we ask for are simple things
Just let us breathe!
February 25th, 2023
I look and listen from a distance
And see a nation in turmoil and pain
People asking for justice and equality
Asking for a normal and acceptable quality of life
But change does not come easily
There is always resistance and pushback
Nevertheless the clock cannot be turned back
People are no longer content with the status quo
They continue to speak up
Despite the crackdowns
Despite the threats
Despite the imprisonments
And despite the executions
I admire the strength and courage
Of my countrymen and women
I worry for their safety and security
And I look forward to the day
When their sacrifices will have paid off
And peace and security and equality prevails
January 6th, 2023
For the courageous people of Iran
You say I should cover my hair and body
So I don’t tempt men
I say men should be and are stronger than that
You say the headscarf is a sign of modesty
I say it’s a means of control
You say dancing excites the other sex
I say dancing brings joy into my life
You say women’s singing voice shouldn’t be heard
I say you are depriving society of so much
You say women are the weaker sex
And they need protection
I say you haven’t seen what we are capable of
You say the place of women is at home
I say society needs our contribution
You hit, and arrest and try to torture women into submission
I say this cruelty is much worse than what you consider immodesty
You do these things in the name of religion
I say religion is for peace
You fear women it seems
And you should because women are strong and courageous
And will fight for their equality like lionesses till they achieve their goal
October 17th, 2022
I am woman, hear me roar
Hear me cry out with the pent of anger of years
Hear me shout the anthem of freedom
Hear me voice my grievances
It’s been long enough
And I’m tired of being told who I should be
I am woman, hear me roar
With the courage of a lioness
Prepared to fight for her home
Prepared to protect her kin
With fervour and ferocity
I am woman, hear me roar
Don’t expect me to be quiet any longer
Don’t try to control me because it does not work
A sense of justice has been awakened with in me
Which can set fire to injustice and brutality
I am woman, hear me roar
I am stronger than you think
When I want to defend my rights
I am an opponent you should fear
I am a woman hear me roar:
Woman, life, liberty!
October 15th, 2022
She was every woman
She could be me
She could be you
She was not political
She was a visitor, a guest
Is that how one treats a guest?
Is that how one treats a sister or a mother?
She was every woman
And she was killed senselessly
She was killed in a most cruel manner
She was killed with a lot of anger
Why?
Because she was a woman
And did not closely follow the unreasonable dictates of the regime
She was every woman
And she was killed brutally
She awakened again the anger that was smouldering for years
She brought them into the streets
Demanding freedom, equality, a normal life
And a future they could look forward to
She was every woman
And she will be remembered in history
As one whose death started a revolution
October 13, 2022
These are extraordinary times
These are days of solidarity
When people put their lives on the line
For freedom of thought
For dignity
For truthfulness
For Justice
For equality
These are unprecedented times
When young and old are united
And speak with one voice
These are terrible times
When young people and children are sacrificed to uphold an ideology
The price they are paying is very high
The grief their parents and their supporters feel is immense
But their blood will water the plant of freedom
These are hopeful times
Because a nation has come together
Discovered the power there is in unity
And is marching on a path that leads to freedom
These are important times
The world has heard the cry of the people of Iran
And is arising in solidarity and protesting in the streets
To ensure the freedom of the people of this land
These are formative times
A new system based on respect for all
Based on diversity of thought and belief
Based on fundamental human rights
Is being forged
These are extraordinary times
Women are in the forefront of change
Their valour is on display
They are tired of the status quo
They are the freedom fighters of today
October 12, 2022
It’s been years that I’ve been wondering when will freedom return to Iran
When will women be able to choose how they dress themselves
When can they freely and without fear walk in the streets
When will they not be considered the weaker sex
When will their contributions to society inside and outside the home will be celebrated
When can they bike and swim and sing and dance
When can they be the voice of half of their communities
It’s been years
I’ve hoped
And then my hopes were dashed
Then a glimmering of a dawn
Before darkness enveloped that land
It’s been years
And I’ve thought to myself sometimes
I will return to Iran one day
But that day wearing the headscarf will no longer be mandatory
Women will show their lovely hair
And laugh and sing with joy about the freedom that has been so long in coming
October 11th, 2022
What do women of Iran want?
Equality!
What does that mean?
To be treated with respect and dignity
To participate in all arenas of society
Women want to wear what they want
And not be controlled in the name of Islam
They want to feel the wind in their hair
They want the end of the separation of women and men everywhere
They want not to be told what they can and can’t do
They want an end to the harassment they have long endured
October 8th, 2022
For a future that is bright
For a time when the sun shines equally on everyone
For freedom of speech
When one can speak about what’s in one’s heart
For a time when a dual life ends
When one can behave the same way inside and outside one’s house
For the dawn of the equality of women and men
For the fruition of a cause long fought for
For the feeling of the wind in one’s hair
For biking and swimming in freedom
For a time when ethnicity matters not
For a time when freedom of religion exists
For a time when people stop leaving their homeland
Because they cannot see their future in Iran
For a time when love and harmony reigns
When hatred is gone
For the time of coming together of a nation
To demand their freedom of thought
For unity
For solidarity
For compassion for one’s fellow man
For decency
Transparency
And leaders one can count on
For Mahsa
For Nika
And so many more who sacrificed their lives
For the dawn of a new day in Iran
October 7th, 2022
lida's musings 