Tag Archive | freedom

Freedom cries

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When the price of protest songs is solitary confinement

When rappers end up bring tortured

When freedom of speech is non-existent 

When so much in your life is controlled and inspected

Freedom cries 

Liberty dies

Justice is hand-cuffed 

And beauty must hide

When youth leave their country

Because they don’t see hope 

When corruption is rampant

Inflation roars 

When the retirees and teachers protest

When the prisons are full 

When the courts are only a show

And lawyers get arrested

Tears run down the face of a nation 

And joy is hard to come by in most places

But no matter how dark the night  

The dawn will come and the sun will rise 

May 14th, 2023

Let us breathe

 

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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

The secret of the song, Baraye (For…)

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What is the secret of this song?

Why did it touch so many hearts?

Why did it become the anthem for a movement?

Why was it worthy of winning a prize?

The song was a cry for freedom

Freedom from nonsensical restrictions

Freedom to express oneself

Freedom from oppressive rules

The words of this song expressed the desires of a people

A people who have suffered for so long

People who are beaten for how they dress

People who are jailed for what they say

The lyrics of this song expressed what was needed

To show the world what was happening in Iran

The days of carrying out injustices without others knowing is over

What is happening is laid bare for all to see

The words that bubbled up from the soul of a young man

Have reached the world

The song has been sung everywhere

The truth is there to be heard

This is the secret of this song 

Feb 6th 2023

For Shervin and his song of freedom which won a Grammy

Nobility

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If they don’t treat women well

It doesn’t bode well for the rest of society

If they don’t treat religious minorities well

They will eventually denigrate other groups as well

The thinking that sees one group as better than others

Eventually will see everyone else as other 

Only those in power will be immune to oppression 

When they don’t treat women well

It means one day they will not treat you well

Let’s stand up not just for our own rights

But the rights of every marginalized group in society

This is the sign of nobility 

November 7th, 2022

Close your eyes

 

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If I entice you with my beautiful locks

Which is a gift from God to adorn my face

The problem is you, not me

If my bare ankles arise in you sensual thoughts

The problem is you, not me

My natural body is to be celebrated, not hidden

Would you cover up a bouquet of roses because it’s too beautiful?

Close your eyes instead!  

Close your eyes if the price of your lustful thoughts

Is my imprisonment under layers of cloth

Close your eyes if you can’t handle God-given beauty

And sexualize what is natural and part of life

Close your eyes

Don’t put me in bondage because of your weaknesses

Close your eyes

 

November 4th, 2022

Fists raised up

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The fervour of these youth

The anger of these youth

Their fists raised in the air

Their hearts full of hope

These youth are speaking up for freedom

They are tired of being told lies

They want a different future

And they are sacrificing their lives

The passion of these youth

Throwing away their scarves

Showing what was hidden

For years now

These youth are being arrested

They are dying

Because they want a different life

Because they are no longer afraid to speak up

I’m proud of these youth

I honor their cause

I stand with them

Until there is freedom

I’m not paying a price with my life

Or with my imprisonment

I can only speak up with my pen

With my fists in the air

I’m awe-struck by the bravery of these youth

Climbing walls without headscarves

October 19th, 2022

Anthem of unity

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The hallmark of this movement is unity

Unity between the university students and their professors

Unity between the Turk and Lor and Bakhtyari

Unity between the less fortunate and the affluent

Unity between workers and society

Unity among the students in high schools

Unity among the people marching in the streets

Unity among young and old

Unity among all strata of society

This is unprecedented in Iran

This revolution has a beating heart

That of valiant women and girl children 

This revolution has strategy

Creative ways in expressing their demands

This revolution has momentum

It’s a movement that cannot be stopped

The dam has broken and it can’t be shut

I salut the women and girls of Iran

I salut the university students and professors

I salut the workers who are on strike

I salut the business people who close their shops

I salut their cries for equality

I salut their courage which is awe-inspiring

I salut their perseverance and steadfastness

I salut the audacity of those who walk around without their head scarves

This road may be long

Many lives are being sacrificed

Many are spending their time in captivity

But there is no turning back

The world is watching in admiration

And I pray and hope that the dawn is nigh 

October 18th, 2022

When children are killed

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A child was killed
No, children have been killed 
And why you may ask
Because they spoke their minds
Asked for their rights
Took off their scarves
Fought for freedom
And this is a real fight
Many have died
Innocent ones
At the hands of brutal people
Whose heart seems to be made of stone
Who are willing to kill their own countrymen
People are dying in the streets
This is not an easy fight
Courage is needed
Anger fuels their cause
But why should children die?

October 15, 2022

Hear me roar

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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