Tag Archive | equality

Extraordinary times

Oct12

E56F3692-CF78-43D7-B9FA-A14F88135C97These 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

Never lose hope

Oct11

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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

Cry of equality

Oct9

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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

A new dawn

Oct7

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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

Solidarity

Oct6

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The watchword of this movement is solidarity
Solidarity among those who have been wronged
Solidarity among those whose freedom has been robbed
Solidarity among men and women
Solidarity among old and young
Solidarity among Kurd and Lur and Bakhtyari
Solidarity among those who live throughout Iran

People are speaking with one voice
Women and the youth are leading the way
They are trying to silence their voices
With brutality and cruelty, senseless
But this is a giant that has been awakened
It’s impossible to tie her down
All the efforts to quell this fire
Will lead to it further spreading far and wide

The world is witnessing these events
They are hearing the cry of freedom
Women across the world are cutting their hair
In solidarity with the women of Iran
These women are lionesses who won’t back down
They are aware of their own power and will persist
The day is coming that they will celebrate victory
Sadly the price they are paying is very high

October 6th, 2022

Leaders

Oct5

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Who is their leader?

They lead each other

Who inspires them?

They inspire each other

What are they fighting for?

Justice

What are they demanding?

Equality

One can’t impose unjust laws forever

One can’t sew the seeds of division ceaselessly

These young women

These freedom fighters

Tired of years of being controlled

Tired of not seeing any hope

Tired of ears that don’t listen

Tired of mouths that don’t tell the truth

These women are a force

That cannot be stopped

A damn has been opened

And it can’t be shut

The day is approaching

When they will march in freedom

The day is approaching

When all are equal

October 5th, 2022

Only my pen

Sep30

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You are on the streets

Demanding your rights

Demonstrating for equality

Jeopardizing your life

I only have my pen

And with my pen

I will sing your praises

I will applaud your courage

I will celebrate valour 

You are heroines raising your voices

Voices that are being heard around the world

You are sacrificing your safety

Risking arrest and imprisonment

Even death

I only have my pen

And with my pen

I will ask others to pay attention to your cause

To demand justice and cry out your names

In great assemblies

So we can honor the memory of all the Mahsa Aminis of Iran

I only have my pen

 

September 30th, 2022

You are victorious

Sep29


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The women of Iran have experienced injustice for so many years

They have been subjugated for decades

Their rights have been trampled upon

Their attire has been dictated to them

No rhyme, no reason

Actually, they have been told they will arouse men

With their uncovered hair and bare ankles

They will promote immortality and indecency 

This is the height of ignorance

A great excuse for controlling women’s lives

These women have arisen to defend their rights

Their right to a peaceful existence

Their right to not be beaten and arrested

For not covering their hair in public

Their right to be treated as equals

Young women’s courage is on display

Their idealism 

Their fearlessness

Their anger built up over the years

The sheer force of their conviction

Their disdain of injustice

They are tired of lies and excuses

They are tired of being told what to do

They want to live a peaceful existence

Be joyful and dance and celebrate life

These young women are our heroines

To them we owe a debt of gratitude

And to those who support them wholeheartedly

And come to their aid and assistance

To those who broadcast their plight

To those who cut their hair in protest and

To those who sing their song of freedom

You will be victorious! You already are!

September 29th, 2022

Champions of light

Feb18

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Darkness is always conquered by light

Because the cause of light has many champions

Champions who fight with the sword of their words

Who light up their surroundings with their love

Champions who having suffered know what suffering is

Who are strong and don’t give up

Champions for the cause of justice and equality

Champions who fight for women everywhere

Champions who protect the rights of girl children

Champions who help elect a women president

Darkness may seem all consuming

But because of these champions, it will be defeated in time

February 18, 2022

Inspired by Amineh Kakabaveh

Iranian Swedish member of parliament

My hopes for the spring

Mar13

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The spring is returning

The snow is melting

The sun is shining

The birds are singing their song

Nature revives and

Birds return from their trips to warmer climes

I hope the ice of prejudice in our hears melts too

And we see each other as brothers and sisters

I hope the colour of our skin is seen a source of diversity

Not of separation and superiority 

I hope we focus on the wellbeing of others, not just our own

I hope our characters are beautified like the flowers that will bloom

I hope we educate our children morally as well as scientifically

I hope women are treated as equals with dignity and respect

I hope the darkness of prejudice, envy and greed 

Will give way to the light of the dawn

I hope flowers of justice, equality and trustworthiness will bloom

All I can do is to do may share, to play my part

To set lofty goals and serve my community

All I can do is to refine my character

To be diligent and conscientious

All I can do is practice moderation

Show respect and  be compassionate

This is all I can do

This is all we can do

To beautify the world

As this spring arrives

March 11th, 2021