Editor's Note: Dr. Heather Gautney is an assistant professor of sociology at Fordham University, supporter of Occupy Wall Street and author of Protest and Organization in the Alternative Globalization Era (Palgrave Macmillan). The views expressed in this article are solely those of Heather Gautney.
By Heather Gautney - Special to CNN
This past December I received an invitation to speak at a conference on Occupy Wall Street at the University of Tehran. Given the grim state of U.S.-Iran affairs, I was naturally filled with suspicion. Perhaps the Iranian state was trying to use the Occupy movement to foster anti-American sentiment? Or maybe the conference organizers were just naïve dissidents and my husband Glenn and I would be viewed as foreign instigators, attempting to foment internal strife.
But, I reasoned, Occupy may be anti-corporate, but it is unambiguously pro-American and there was never any talk of Occupy Iran. So I accepted the invitation.
That night, my husband and I watched news reports of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on camera displaying a recently captured U.S. drone. Days later, Iran deployed naval ships in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's oil trade passes. Obama retaliated with the severest round of sanctions to date, backed by the European Union. The embargo was being justified as the "humanitarian alternative" to war, but we knew from Iraq what that meant: A line had been drawn in the sand, and everyday people were going to suffer - people that we Americans were about to meet face to face.
Continued conversations with conference organizers helped ease our paranoia. Iranian North American Studies students and faculty members genuinely wanted to understand the historic Occupy movement. Occupy Wall Street has inspired fundamental changes in the American political and cultural landscape, with much of the world's support and respect.
I prepared my talk carefully, haunted by news reports of detained journalists and Green Revolutionaries. What should I not say? Will I be watched, controlled? Will I, as a woman, be treated as a second-class citizen, captured by the fashion police? Or will my husband bear a deeper brunt, as a Jew? We felt like we were jumping off a cliff. Yet my Iranian friends and academic colleagues strongly encouraged me. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. The media, they said, always overblows Iran. Much of the mythology is based on lies. You will absolutely love the people.
It took much less than the measly 100 hours we spent in the country to discover that truth. Indeed, we soon fell in love without our gracious hosts, especially the graduate students that accompanied us everywhere, engaged us personally, intellectually and culturally, and sacrificed their time and energy to make sure we were cared for.
Against the common misconception of anti-Americanism in Iran, faculty members repeatedly talked about Iranian students' desires to know America, study in its universities, and experience its unique culture. And despite its reputation for anti-Semitism, some expressed concern that an attack from Israel would endanger their friends in the Jewish minority within Iran.
Unlike academics in the U.S., large numbers of faculty attended the conference, as well as the in-between lunches, dinners, and tea times, offering lively and rich conversation. We found common ground in heavy teaching loads and underfunded research. Not once did any of them speak to each other in Farsi while in our company. And not once did I feel second-class, as a female professor.
I do not want to overstate or overgeneralize my experience. There was quite a bit we did not discuss, and there remain many unknowns. We were visitors, and we were treated with white gloves. I know that. I did not learn enough to assess the elections or the magnitude of desires for reform. And of course, I did not gain insight into what's fast becoming a key geo-political mystery of our time: whether Iran is developing WMDs. I did not search for such answers. One hundred hours is not enough time to unravel the complexities of any country's social and political life. And any decent ethnographer knows that you cannot force "truths," especially those that may be informed by decades of misunderstanding and conflict. It was more important for me to share human moments. And we did share many of those.
One such moment occurred my very first day in Tehran. After touring a colorful and energetic bazaar, we decided to step into a majestic mosque made of ornate blue tile with a brilliant silver sheen. I was exhausted from travel and enjoying an immediate camaraderie with the female graduate student accompanying us, named Zahra. Just as we approached the entrance to the mosque, a man ran out from a booth and placed a chador on my shoulders. Zahra smiled sweetly, "You look beautiful!"
The men entered with the men, and Zahra and I, with the women. The walls of the interior glistened like diamonds, and I felt myself shrink before the enormity of the place, the enormity of what we don't know about Iran, and the enormity - and sheer beauty - of Islam.
Such Awakening remained a common theme, both in and outside the conference. Presenters located continuity between Occupy and the Arab Awakening, and the crucial struggle against inequality, imperialism, and the 1%. I spoke about the socio-economic woes that precipitated Occupy Wall Street (OWS). Though I did not use the language of Awakening, I did speak about dispossession, and the grassroots nature of the movement aimed at taking back what had been lost to corporate irresponsibility.
Another American participant, Dr. Iris Hamid, translated this message of loss and Awakening in moral and spiritual terms, illuminating the Islamic concept, wallayah, a dynamic and communal love that interconnects people and binds them to God and each other. Occupy signifies the breakdown of such bonds in American society, but also the deep desire to re-find them. I thought of the Occupy camps. With all their warts, they represented the found community that so many people in this country desperately need.
The metaphor of Awakening struck an even deeper chord during a special meeting the faculty had arranged with the Ayatollah Khomeini's daughter, Zahra Mostafavi. We toured Khomeini's modest home, beginning with a remarkable room of photographs documenting the Islamic Revolution. The Revolution involved some of the largest street protests in modern history - interesting by any standard, but for a social movement scholar like myself, a true wonder.
As I viewed the dramatic scenes of Khomeini's life, I flashed back to my own childhood, to propagandistic images of Khomeini as an evil dictator, the terrible jokes about Muslims that circulated through my Catholic grade school, and the absolute support of the tyrannical Shah, who privatized much of Iran's resources, turned it into a comprador regime, and committed unspeakable acts against his own people. During the hostage crisis, Iranians were cast as fundamentalist monsters in American bedtime stories, and it's that generation, my generation, who are now setting the terms of our political relationship today.
"During our meeting, Dr. Mostafavi told us the story of Khomeini's intellectual and spiritual development, his stalwart activism, and difficult exile. He did not force the Revolution, she said, but rather waited patiently for a popular Awakening. People had to see the world differently for themselves, they had to believe in the possibility of change. Like many such revolutions, this one opened the door to autocracy. Nonetheless, Khomeini did, in his writings, eschew simplistic East versus West narratives of inequality in lieu of a framework of Arrogance versus The Oppressed."
I thought of OWS. The 1 Percent is not just a statistic. It is a concept that speaks to the arrogance of power. After we said goodbye to our new friends in Iran, Glenn said: "We can't go to war with this country. We just can't."
The views expressed in this article are solely those of Heather Gautney.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Useful idiot
Yes, the author has given us a usful narrative of Iran, the country, that the U.S. might go to war with. No doubt she had seen the upside of Tehran. Also her hosts wanted her to take home the best images of a country with an ancient culture and an intriguing religion. Yes, on personal level, there's room for Americans and Iranians to exchange contact and friendship.
Right on the spot. How can one confuse a brutal regime that is killing people on cranes, more than 100,000 of them, and torturing lawyers for doing their job, with the victims of the regime, its people?
How can a regime like that of the mullahs be presented like an apple ripe to kiss your lips? She should have separated the account of the people from that of the brutal rulers and she fails to make that distinction. This is a repeat of the work that was done by journalists and lobbyists in Hitler time. It is just a shame.
Mullahs?
In Iran there are three branches independent. Iran is the only country in the world that the people directly elected chief executive to take it. People in the electoral college, they chose to elect their president and country based on traditional beliefs rooted in the Kingdom of Great Britain is the executive authority to Sparnd him.
Iran also has the task of choosing a leader who is responsible for the country.
The assembly name that is rooted in the beliefs of the Iranian people, is the Assembly of Experts.
Each country has its roots in the beliefs of democracy.
that you are....
Your experience mirrors that which we have had with several Iranian friends, first met while they were exchange students at McGill University in Montreal, when travel was easier.
Some chose to remain in their beloved homeland. Another, whose father was high up in the Shah's government, chose to eventually move to the States. Their all-white home was visible in aerial postcards of Tehran at the time. But after the Rodney King incident they moved to Vancouver. They are of the Baha'i faith.
They were all so hopeful during the Green Revolution and wonder what is next. Your professors bode well for the future of a great country returning to its place in the world.
In this article, I saw no reference to any mention by Iranians talking about disagreeing with their government's positions or policies. This seems very odd to me if Dr Gautney met a cross-section of Iranian people.
Islame is a vile, oppressive, terrorist, and dangerous cult.
Learn to spell, first, twit!!
Do you consider your comment to be a bright response? If so, justify it and then we'll analyze it.
you obviously know nothing whatever about Islam.
Islam is a religion of mercy and love and purity. Every country that was conquered by Islam, it was scientific growth. Read the history.
If the events of September at the World Trade towers, which you cited, I must say that 3000 Americans were killed.
While 100,000 people in Iraq and Afghanistan, like this one.
It is also the question of how the attack is. How to be an American space plane is stolen and someone will notice. And construction of structural steel and concrete that ever you know that snuff out the fire.
The Iranian Revolution may sound romantic to an OWS activist, but consider what the revolution has become: "The elections for the ninth Majlis (parliament) were held on March 2 in Iran. Forty-eight million people having the right to vote were supposed to elect 290 representatives. In the end, 354 candidates competed for the seats out of (according to Interior Ministry data) 5,382 who had registered."
Khomeini was indeed a patient man, but he set in place a dictatorship with bogus elections in which the leadership bans 93% of the candidates, and its "parliament" begins its sessions with chants of "Death to America".
Does not the USA's government wish the same thing on Iran just not as blatant? It just boggles my mind that Iran cannot have a nuke while countries all around it can. If the USA were in such a position I bet the world would be one big black piece of charcoal right now.
We live in a world where we should no longer need to elect a few hundred reps to represent millions of people. It is dangerous to have few people decide what a whole country will have to go through. If everyone elected a rep for a portion of their community/city and that rep got to go somewhere local and vote in federal affairs I feel we would have a better system than one that is so out dated.
The US government wishes Iranian people PEACE AND PROSPERITY. The only way Iranian people can have peace and prosperity is for Iranian government to wish (and allow) other people to do the same as well.
That's 3,454 people competed for the 290 seats. Check your facts Michael!
The initial nomination for Iranians elections is free. everyone can register, even an illiterate. and the majority of those who register don't have any administrative or intellectual bkg or a public recognition. Therefore there must be a mechanism for qualifying the applicants. That's why only a fraction of those who apply for nomination are qualified. Please check all the facts before passing blind judgements on my people and government. We've already had enough of Western self-centered prejudices against us. Time to build some cross-understanding!
Heather Gautney, the Joseph Goebbels for Iran. I knew she was full of it as soon as I read: "Occupy Wall Street has inspired fundamental changes in the American political and cultural landscape, with much of the world's support and respect." What a bunch of bs – even OWS didn't know its agenda.
the Khomeinis need to be wiped out... their entire bloodline is a disgrace to everything Iran and its culture stand for.
Ahh, you must be a radical muslim yourself ... cause only a radical muslim would talk about wiping out bloodlines. Khomeini was evil but his descendents can choose how they wish to be .. granted being raised in that atmosphere doesnt offer them much hope.
With a name like Johan, I'd say you should probably know that "wiping out bloodlines" is not exclusive to Islam. Nor is there any indication whatever that the gentleman to whom you referred is a muslim. On the contrary.
Johan: i'm not a muslim (though I am Iranian) and "wiping out bloodlines" is not just a muslim thing. I believe democracy and justice loving americans have done it before with the native Americans as pious Christian Germans have done with the jews. So refrain from commenting next time if you got nothing intelligent to say, ok?
thank you.
You have no idea what Khomeini did to my country and his family is no better. Funny how you accuse people of being radical why you defend those who truly are.
while*
LOL, grateful for the graduate students that followed you everywhere and attended to your every need? I believe the correct term is "handlers who made sure we wouldn't see anything inappropriate or poke our noses where it shouldn't go". Seriously, the Ayatollah was a creep with no sense of morality .. forcing women to wear the veil .. forcing religious "purity" etc. What kind of country keeps hostages? How is that even civilized? And Khomeini's modest home? LOL .. I'll bet he had a couple palaces out of town where he actually lived. I wonder if you can speak so kindly of Pat Robertson, who never forced anyone to do anything. Oh and how do Iranians feel about gays? Funny thing is I bet you hate Pat Robertson more when the fact is Khomeini has put in place far more restrictive or at least equivalent laws as he would. Anyway you got used by the Iranian regime in another propaganda coup for them! Congratulations.
" sheer beauty of islam" to quote the naïve Dr.! 100 hours in an islamic country?
Let's debate this " sheer beauty ...". I wonder if this "famous" doctor has ever read numerous translations of their so-called « sacred book» and the thousand upon thousand of hadiths not found in Al Koran as well as the murderous expeditions of their megalomaniac Muhammed labelling himself as the LAST prophet. Let's debate the rituals attributed to islamic practices. Let's debate islamic submission. Educate yourself, doctor, before making empty statements.
All religions lead to the same father including yours, we adore Jesus as our prophet but Islam is the final religion. You ought to read comparative religions to rid you of your ignorance
One thing sure, there is no wrong with religions but with those 'evils' who practice and use them for suppressing and taking hostage their people!
Sheeple of Iranian visit.....
After reading this article, Jane Fonda comes to mind. She was just such a pawn used by America's enemy during the Vietnam War.
Gee whiz Roscoe, aren't you ashamed to show you ignorance by posting the above? I guess that the MIC in Washington is quite pleased to know that there are people like you around! We and the Iranians need to have an understanding, ignore the MIC and forget all this right-wing, pro-war idiocy!!!
George, I am sorry to say you are wrong. While a war is not what anyone needs at this time, make no mistake, Iran is a a totalitarian and fascist society. It will do and has done whatever is necessary to keep its power over its entirely silenced population.
"Occupy Wall Street has inspired fundamental changes in the American political and cultural landscape, with much of the world's support and respect."
Oh really? Exactly what "fundamental changes" have occurred? I count ZERO.
The reality distortion field these people live in, accompanied by ongoing rounds of masturbatory pats-on-the-back is just remarkable.
"Graduate students" followed them everywhere?
30 large trucks crossing from syria to hizboallah in lebanon every day full with arms, cash and chemical weapons i saw that in my eyes. khmoini is an evil dont forget the 400 usa cevilians who was captured in iran and tortured , one usa man on wheel chair was killed thos shiia thugs are evil.
so what? There are thousands of soldiers and trucks occupying Afghanistan and Iraq, let them have equal playing field.Perhaps you were closely attached tot he dictator Shah and his lackeys who siphoned off the country's wealth to US
HE IS AN EVIL MAN SHIIA ARE EVIL CULT
Ah, so I guess the 137 Shias murdered by Sunni's in Pakistan a few weeks ago was carried out by the "good Sunnis?" What a bunch of garbage. Learn history, learn tolerance, and above all, learn who your real enemies are: Power and ignorance (and right now you are in the latter camp).
I wish that you guys would quit using that Tea Party lingo to express your rather strong dislike for the Iranians. I, on the other hand, strongly dislike the corrupt right-wing politicians in Washington but will never use that Tea Party lingo to state it! Infact, we need to talk to the Iranians and get the Israelis to do the same!
just like your namesake, you're stupid.
thats why the shia Islam is still alive and the shrines are a proof, no one remembers the sunni past
KHOMINI IS DEAD FK IRAN
IRAN CAPTURED 400 USA PEOPLE FROM THE EMBASSY RA PE THEM KILL MANY AND TORTURED SOME ON WHEEL CHAIR, IRAN MUST END THEY ARE AN EVIL SOCIETY
ra ped and killed many?
Go back to reading Frank Miller's comics you wacko.
The hostages were left unharmed while the US killed about 300 passengers of Iranair's flight 655. Not to mention the democracy overthrow and puppet dictator...
If Iranians got American blood on their hands, then you can be sure of it, the US has an entire pool filled with Iranian blood.
I am glad majority of people in US are smarter than these two sleepy head idiots who think being offered a cup of tea in a golden cup mean Iranians are happy with the regime. I am Persian Muslim and I can't sleep at night because of the atrocities of the non-Islamic Republic. My question is ,, what's in it for you to defend a brutal regime? how much did they pay you to go? That's how our corrupt mullahs are .. like mafia bosses, they purchase supporters
ناشطون سربوا آلاف الرسائل من بريد الأسد وزوجته أسماء (الفرنسية)
كشفت مجموعة من الرسائل الإلكترونية التي يعتقد بأنها تخص الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد وحصلت عليها صحيفة ذي غارديان البريطانية أنه تلقى خلال الثورة السورية نصائح وتوجيهات من إيران وجهات حليفة عن سبل مواجهة الانتفاضة الشعبية الواسعة التي تطالب برحيله عن السلطة.
وقبل كلمة الأسد -التي ألقاها عبر التلفزيون في ديسمبر/كانون الأول الماضي- تظهر الرسائل أنه تلقى مذكرة تحمل لائحة طويلة من الاقتراحات من مستشاره الإعلامي، الذي أوضح بأنه استشار بدوره "عددا لا بأس به من الشخصيات بالإضافة إلى المستشار السياسي للسفير الإيراني في دمشق".
"
قام الأسد بتشكيل حلقة من المساعدين الثقاة الذين يرفعون تقاريرهم إليه شخصيا متخطيا بذلك الأجهزة الأمنية وأعضاء طائفته العلوية المتنفذة، الأمر الذي يعتبر تطورا هاما في طريقة عمل النظام السوري
"
وقد تضمنت المذكرة نصيحة للأسد باستخدام لغة "قوية وعنيفة" في خطابه وأن يحرص على إظهار امتنانه من الدعم الذي تبديه "الدول الصديقة". كما نصحت المذكرة بأن يقوم الأسد بإظهار مدى القوة العسكرية التي تتمتع بها سوريا وأنها قادرة على مواجهة تحد عسكري.
كما كشفت الرسائل التي تم تنزيلها من قبل ناشطين سوريين من حسابات بريد إلكتروني خاصة بالأسد وزوجته السيدة أسماء، أن الأسد تلقى تقارير عن وجود صحفيين أجانب في حي بابا عمرو في حمص، وأصدر توجيهات بناء على ذلك في نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني الماضي تقضي بـ"تشديد القبضة الأمنية" على المدينة وبابا عمرو بالذات.
وتبين الرسائل أن الأسد خلال الانتفاضة السورية، قد قام بتشكيل حلقة من المساعدين الثقاة الذين يرفعون تقاريرهم إليه شخصيا متخطيا بذلك الأجهزة الأمنية وأعضاء طائفته العلوية المتنفذة، الأمر الذي يعتبر تطورا هاما في طريقة عمل النظام السوري، ومؤشرا على شعوره بالخطر الداهم.
وكانت الرسائل الإلكترونية التي تم رصدها تستخدم نظاما بريديا خاصا بموقع اسمه الشهباء دوت كوم، وهي مجموعة شركات تابعة للنظام السوري لها مكاتب في دبي ولندن. وقد تم اختراق نظام الرسائل الإلكترونية للموقع في شهر يونيو/حزيران الماضي واستمر الناشطون بالتمتع بدخول حر وكامل للحسابات البريدية ونسخ كل شيء موجود فيها. استمر هذا الوضع حتى تم اكتشاف الاختراق في فبراير/شباط الماضي أي بعد ستة أشهر.
وتلقي الرسائل الضوء على قيام الأسد بتشكيل لجنة من المستشارين لوضع إستراتيجية إعلامية وكيفية مواجهة موجة الانتقادات العالمية المتصاعدة ضد قمعه للانتفاضة الشعبية السورية المطالبة برحيله عن السلطة، والتي ذهب ضحيتها حوالي عشرة آلاف سوري إلى حد الآن حسب تقديرات حديثة.
وقد منح اختراق حسابات البريد الإلكتروني للأسد فرصة للناشطين لتحذير زملائهم في دمشق من نوايا النظام السوري في مناسبات عديدة.
وقد وفر الاختراق معلومات هامة وحساسة عن النظام السوري ورئيسه، ومن بينها رسائل من رجل أعمال لبناني يتمتع بصلات وثيقة مع النظام الإيراني وحزب الله اسمه حسين مرتضى. وقد قام مرتضى طبقا للرسائل بالكتابة إلى الرئيس الأسد بعد حادثة انفجار سيارتين في دمشق قبيل وصول المراقبين العرب، وحثّ مرتضى الأسد على التوقف عن اتهام القاعدة بتدبير انفجارات السيارات المفخخة، وأفاد مرتضى بأن اتصالات وردته من إيران وحزب الله توافقه الرأي ووصف اتهام القاعدة بأنه خطأ إعلامي تكتيكي يصب في مصلحة الولايات المتحدة والمعارضة السورية.
"
رجل أعمال لبناني مقرب من إيران وحزب الله نصح الأسد بالسيطرة على الميادين والساحات العامة بين الساعة الثالثة عصرا والتاسعة مساء لحرمان المعارضين السوريين من فرصة التجمع
"
وفي رسالة أخرى، أبدى مرتضى للأسد اعتقاده بأن على قوات النظام السوري السيطرة على الميادين والساحات العامة بين الساعة الثالثة عصرا والتاسعة مساء لحرمان المعارضين السوريين من فرصة التجمع.
يذكر أن إيران وحزب الله قد كانا متهمين طوال سنة -هي عمر الانتفاضة السورية ضد الأسد-، بأنهما يقدمان دعما عمليا على الأرض لنظام الأسد، مثل إرسال مقاتلين وخبراء تقنيين لتعقب الناشطين السوريين الذين يستخدمون الإنترنت، إلا أن كلا من إيران وحزب الله قد دأبا على إنكار تلك التهم.
من جهة أخرى كشفت المراسلات المسربة أن الأسد اعتمد بشكل كبير على امرأتين سوريتين درستا في الولايات المتحدة، في مجال الاستشارات الإعلامية. وتظهر المراسلات أن المرأتين هما شهرزاد الجعفري وهديل العلي واللتان دأبتا على إحاطة الأسد بأهمية التواصل على شبكة الإنترنت.
وكان التلفزيون السوري قد أفاد في فبراير/شباط بعد اكتشاف الاختراق وقبل نشر الرسائل المسربة أن العناوين الخاصة بموقع الشهباء دوت كوم لا تمت بصلة للرئيس الأسد وذلك في محاولة لنزع الثقة عن أي ترسيبات مستقبلية.
I am glad Ms. Cautney and Mr. Caplan enjoyed their time in Tehran. I'm sure if I get invited to Wall Street by Goldman Sacks president I will receive a red carpet reception too and think New York is a super rich place with plenty of happy recent graduates receiving huge bonuses. The food will be amazing and the luxury unmatched. Obviously, at the Goldman building, there would be no talk of the pain Wall Street Occupiers experience. Fact is Iran is being run by corrupt thieves dressed as clergy. Tens of millions of peaceful young Iranians ar against this regime. One of my centrist friends, Mehdi Khazali, a decent man was being tortured in prison as Glen and Heather were dining in luxury with supporters of Ayatollah Khamenei who recently cheated again in the recent election.
What a specious argument from Mr. Behzad! Why would you be invited by Goldman Sachs and be given a royal reception unless you can give them more dollars than what they spend on you? This is called crass cost benefit analysis of the Mammon-worshipers. The very fact that a Professor of Fordham University with no political or economic clout gets invited and given most warm treatment while Reagan's overtures through Ollie North is spurned, proves that this country stands for an ideal that is much nobler than what the materialistic world is familiar with.
It is an affront to the very basis of Occupy Wall Street to have accepted this invitation. You don't represent me Dr. Gautney.
this article was obviously written in order to demonize wall street protesters...
The entire point of Occupy Wall street was to show discontent towards so called representatives of the majority of the people. These two clowns should not be associated with the movement.
100 hours of travel and this much justificayion! I am really surprised.
Dear Dr. Heather I did really enjoyed reading your truly sentiment experience, I remember the days, we had together and I truly miss that time. Try to be patient, as I am sure you are and just smile as always you do. gaining great experiences sometime, we must pay the cost! As you are. " No pain, No gain" I am really looking forward to meet you, no matter where, in Iran or State!
It brought tears to my eyes, when I see in comments, that our lovely relationship has been judged in this way. If we do believe in democracy, it is better to be more polite to one another! More gentle and more kind.
Dear Dr. heather I recommend you to forgive and forget what other say, to go on, on your path while the life has shown us that every thing we do, we say, have some one pro, and some anti. So to be logic, we have to go on our path.
Zahra, you've said "If we do believe in democracy." I have a question; Do you believe in democracy. let me raise my question another way; can you define "democracy" for me, please!?
I am not to define democracy!
What i am sure about, is that pure democracy teaches us to be polite to one another! If Heather ideaes is that toward iran what is wrong with that? Why some one let themselves to be rude, to insult her? This is not democracy!!! What i am sure is about, is that!
In this globalised world that we are in touch with one another, no matter from where, with what background! What religion! What language! The basic ground is to respect to each other, this make us in touch and let us to get know from one another. By the way this is a personal idea by me, and ofcourse that is up to you be supportive or not!
BTW, theree is no country on this planet who can claim to be ideally democratic and just. Remember Bush was not elected, he was appointed by the judges
More contacts like Dr. heather's are needed to erase the propaganda dished out by the State Dept & others interested in creating a war situation.
If only a hundred persons who have been indoctrinated by propaganda are only let loose in the streets of Tehran, they will see for themselves how the country is, how its people are.
Anywhere in Iran, you will see unaccompanied women on the streets, in cafes, in public places, laughing, talking and enjoying themselves.
You must see the vibrant bazaars and the great restaurants and how full they get on weekends.
Yes, freedom can be restricted in subtle ways, but daily life is fairly free, only now made difficult by the unthinking sanctions.
As for restrictions, many of US allies are far more restrictive- like Saudi . Even a 'free' country like Singapore restricts many civil freedoms. And there is China.....
Do you think Arab countries are ruled by benevolent people, and everybody is free there? Iran is far better.
if anyone thinks Dr. Heather was hoodwinked, he/she must visit and see for himself/herself.
Forget the propaganda.
I was fortunate enough to have lived in Iran before, during and after the revolution. I left with my infant son and husband for a brief visit with my family in California in the spring of 1982. From the time I arrived in 1978 to my departure in 1982, even during the height of what my family reported were tales of rampant anti-Americanism, I never felt threatened. I was and remain a 6 foot tall, blue eyed woman. I was clearly American. The shadow of the 1953 CIA coup that over threw a democratically elected Mossedeq could have caused people to resent me. They did not. This author speaks the truth; my truth.
There is no effort to discuss the green revolution. That is disappointing. Everything else seems like an effort by the regime to show a soft face to hide their more sinister one.
It is true that there is always a softer side, but it is not because of the US media that the more sinister one dominates, it is because the more sinister one rules the country.
Must accept that the power of American media is more than other countries.
After the 2009 coup in Iran was trying to do the same in Ukraine – Georgia – Serbia – Venezuela and Iran have done but did not succeed.
This movement is what you see under the name does not exist in Iran. Coup, which was resolved by the people. The government did virtually nothing. Themselves into action and handed it to the filing date.
Iran's leadership has little to do with religion even though it claims to be based in religion, but it has more to do with power, control, corruption, and thuggery. The leaders use religion as a blunt instrument to keep down their people.
Zahra,all that stuff in your comment may be true to some degree, but you have to weigh up the conditions we, as human beings, face with in our respected countries. As you may know, some Iranian citizens are detained and taken prisoner or… as spy, every so often, by Iran government while they simply perform an interview with BBC or …. Why we see such a phenomenon!? That’s simple…., threat to the national security, and we see in such a way that the catchphrase of “national security” becomes a cloak for suppressing the freedom of expression. Is that “democracy?” Take a look around and you can see my mind. Needless to say that I’m against this idea that US is a free land but it is so compared to the Mideast.
I don't really want to talk about the governmental issue, as i am not expert in that. i also don't want to give a personal idea toward my country and also America,and also their behavior, which is very wide ground!
BUT what i was, and i am, trying to put my emphasis on that is only; " MORALITY"! we as a human must be patient to hear each sound and idea, this will make us growth. believe me if a day come that all mankind try to get to one another, respecting each one, and each one's idea and beliefs, we can have utopia. Any way, as we are not living in such a world, but individually we can decide for ourselves what to do, and how to do!
I also read Altee's comment, that is totally personal idea!
Zahra, also take a look to the comment by Altee11. I think that deserve consideration!
In the case of murder and destruction, we must say that the United States will protect the killers. Hundreds of ordinary people in Iran 30 years ago – Dozens of leaders of political parties – dozens of Iranian MPs – ten judges – the judiciary – the president and prime minister were killed by the killers, and now this group were given refuge by the United States.
But the terrorist operations in Iran in the last 33 years what has been done by the government that this country can be accused of it. There are also limits freedom of expression and can not be valid for any ratio to each person.
Really a nice article that touched my heart, because I could feel the purest outpourings from her inner being in those words. The vicious and ill-mannered comments show how the propaganda machinery poisoned the minds of so many souls. I salute the courage and honesty of Dr. Gautney for being courageous enough to share her views despite being fully aware that the truth would not be exactly crowd-pleasing.
I met Professor Gautney here and I liked her lecture. The true knowledge is something Islam recommends the humans to get even if it needed to travel and visit people in far lands.
I aspire as an Iranian that me, my country and my culture were explored out of stereotypes and old fixed notions which everyday are streaming in the media.
Iran is the most democratic country in the Middle East and the standards of life like in health care and insurance, education, running water and secure food, life expectancy etc are comparable to many developed nations. In Iran, two third of university students are women here and their social presence even in policy making layers is developing every day.
Post Islamic Revolution, in political realm, we have held at least 27 elections meaning almost 1 every year to elect the parliament members, presidents, Expert Council members, and the city and town councils. The Supreme Leader even is selected and supervised by the Council people vote for.
Look at the Occupy Wall Street conference! Americans are invited to exchange ideas with their counterpart professors. Is it so strange that so many interviews and comments are given? The political controversies are taking place everywhere, but when it comes to Iran it is abnormalized and dehumanized in strange images of brutality and avarice of power holders, etc. I expect us, the new generations, to go deep and don’t be fool with the media.
Zohre
I have little to do with media. I’m agreed with you that “Iran is the most democratic country in the Middle East” (but following some countries in the region). Do you think just increasing the “number” for women and also the number ‘27 elections” the sign of a “democratic” country!? Let me enlighten you. Such that democracy is called “Jacquebini democracy’ in which just numbers are important devoid of quality. And to talk about OWS… you can go to the other side of the story; I mean the presence of an Iranian figure at a conference in the US! How do you think about that!? Please help me find out the facts! (just keep in mind that I’m an anti-American Muslim).
Each country has its own standards in a democracy.
As with democracy in America is a democracy in France.
Democracy should, obviously be defined by the American example where, to use Parenti's terms, "Money is the lifeblood of present-day electoral campaigns.” Democracy exists when Super PACs dominate the campaign advertising landscape with “25 percent of super PAC money” as of February 22, 2012, according to a USA Today report, coming “from just 5 rich donors” … “led by Dallas industrialist Harold Simmons and Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson” (Schouten, Korte, & Schnaars, 2012). With the flood of big business support, politicians have to increasingly court the interests of mega-billionaires first before courting the interests of ordinary citizens. On the same note, Dowd (2000),(2000) writes that, in a political democracy, the process by which citizens install or remove their government leaders “is predictably contaminated when it coexists with capitalism’s essential stratifications of income, wealth, and power – all three of which are characterized by substantial inequality, enabling the members of the higher levels of income and wealth to maintain or increase the inequality of power and to initiate policies favoring them” (p. 7). By what logic is this democracy to serve as the yardstick against which alternative versions of rule by the people are to be judged?
I would like to thank Dr. Gautney for her excellent and true point of view on Iran. Western Governments interpreter freedom base of their own interest not people will. Uprising of muslems in midleast and western Govenments positions and silents over situations in midleast and suppoting dictator and brutal Government of Yemen , Bahrain And Saudi Arabia reveal the true face of western Governments and cause awaking of people in western that we are witnessing in occupy wall street movement today. So western Governments with this kind of notion and mentality could not tolerate any independence country such as Iran that became role model for the other countries. So they trying so hard to deviating internationals community view about Islamic republic of Iran by negative and untrue propaganda against Islamic regime of Iran and it's leadership and wishing of changing Islamic regime of iran by supporting oppositions groups but participations of %65 of Iranian people on parliamentary election disappointed western Governments
Please be careful…. Some such catchphrases as “people,” “people’s voting,” “people’s interests,” and “for the interests of the people” are just a cloak for the establishment interests; especially, we can see such a phenomenon in the oil-rich Mideast countries ‘cause they, unlike many European countries, depend on petrodollar not citizens’ taxes, so they don’t need to see themselves accountable to their citizens and they just seek their presence in so-called elections to justify their authority.
Countries follow their own interests but it depends how they behave in that respect! I mean do governments follow true interests of their people or the establishment!
Each country has its own way is for democracy. Standards of democracy are native to each country.
Sure if they feel their political participation is unrealistic, will not participate in elections.
Eight parliamentary elections in Iran, 51% of people participated. While 63% of people in the March 2 election. So they called the people who vote and have confidence in the country's political life has more influence
Thank you Dr. Gautney for an honest account of the visit. I hope more people open their eyes to what truly is happening and how despite all the misguided hatred and sanctions Iran is progressing in an Islamic manner.
Once the people learn the truth and are able to look past the Zionist propaganda they too will agree with Glenn Kaplan and say the same words "We can't go to war with this country. We just can't."
When I was walking with you and all other American and Iranian friends in Tehran Streets, I couldn’t imagine the volume of difficulties that you will get in when you come back to your country! You have been in other countries all around the globe, but these difficulties have shown up to you only after your last journey: IRAN! Why? The simple answer is: you have tried to see, feel and understand a country directly and out of the lens of global main stream media. You have tried to experience Iran in your own laboratory not to use the products of “globalizer media” and it is a big crime in the globalized world! Because they have spent a lot to build their desirable image of that country and they want you and all the people of the world to use their stereotypes.
Remember the Matrix movie when Morpheus offer Neo couple of pills, the blue one to come back to the ordinary life and to forget what is going on, and the red one to go ahead and getting free from the Matrix; you and people like you have chosen the red pill, as Iran in its 1979 revolution against American imperialism chose. You have got in trouble Just like Iran in 33 years of its revolution because both of you have chosen the red pill. Iran has been patient in the face of hardships – eight years war, sanctions, defamations, terrorist attacks etc – and you must be patient too because Iran have proved that patience leads to success. A philosopher says: When you build your house on hillside of a volcanic mountain, you must expect disasters not serenity.
I’m waiting to see you again in Iran very soon.
"Miserable people' should be pipe down for an illusion named "success."
Mr. Arsh
Nature of the fishes of the world with the world of nature is different mammals
a great and balanced article. I believe now is the time to persuade Iran and US to start a dialogue, something which although isnt in the favour of Israel and some arab countries, but is in the favour on Iranians and Americans. A brave man is needed to start and stay commited to this hard process. Thanks Dr. Gautney. These articles help the eradication of misunderstandings and mistrusts.
Iranian Student, please provide us with an example of democracy and "rule by the people" in Iran. (to be non-emotive, i think, isn't a bad thing!).
Thank you for the beautiful post. We are so quick to see other nations as uncivilized b/c they eat, dress or pray differently. So easy to attack any country once we have shown them to be inferior or barbaric. American has been at war since its exitence and every country it attacked was smehow evil. Americans never stop to think that maybe if they start thinking like humans and act like humans, they will see the rest of the world, with its differences, as humans too. We will see them not as a race,but as mothers, children, husbands etc. We have now demonized Islam, but for years now the Muslims were amongst us and we were ok. Even today, the worst tyrants ruling the middle east are our allies. But instead of condeming them, we condemn the religion of the ppl they oppress. I say 'religion of the ppl' as the religion of these tyrants is the same as that of US leaders and elites...conceit and supremacy
Dr. Gautney went to Iran and try to share with us what she saw and experience in Iran .some ignorance who could not talerate the truth started to disrespecting Dr. Gautney for her truly point of view on iran. Please go to learn how to be human. Thank you Dr. Gautney for youe truly point of view on iran
I am not at all surprised that 100 hours would make so much difference in thinking. You just have to start with pure heart.
If the Islamic ideology of goverence is spreading and slowly people are finding the all positive aspect of Islamic democracy and justice there will be some rude and ignorant people that we should ignore.
I wish professor can go back and continue to learn more about Islam and be a bridge between Islam and Christianity.
Mr. M,
'If Voting Changed Anything They'd Abolish It."
KEN LIVINGSTONE (1987)
It is sad that as we beat another war drum to fight Iran (which we already started by forcing a regime change in Syria via creating cvil war and we turn a blind eye to the atrocities in Bahrain because our naval fleet is stationed there poised to attack Iran) our dear news stations do not discuss the negative implications an Iran-US war will have on our economy (the rich don't care because they will just get richer) and the increased suffering of the poor. Maybe OWS will take on a new dimension when the Iran-US war starts. They lied about Iraq and now they lie about Iran and not once has any sensible news caster questioned these lies!.
Dr Gautney is a brave woman who wrote from her experience even though it went against the grain here at home. We need more writers like her and maybe peace will be given a chance.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Here's a glimpse of the 'Evil Imam' from his own family:
Imam's wife would say, "I was never woken up by Imam praying Salatul Layl (night prayer) because he would never switch on the room light. When he would go to do wudhoo, he would place a sponge in the sink under the tap so that the sound of the falling water would not wake me."
Agha always offered me the better place in the room. He would not start eating until I came to the dinner table. He would also tell the children: ‘Wait until Maa comes.’
He was not even willing that I should work in the house. He would always tell me: ‘Don’t sweep.’ If I wanted to wash the children’s clothes at the pond, he would come and say: “Get up, you shouldn’t be washing.”
On the whole, I have to say that Imam did not consider sweeping, washing dishes and even washing my children’s clothes as part of my responsibilities. If out of necessity I sometimes did these, he would get
upset considering them as a type of unjust dealing towards me.
Even when I entered the room, he would never say: ‘Close the door behind you,’ but waited till I sat down and then would himself get up and shut the door.
His daughter Siddika says: My father had an extraordinary respect for my mother. In the period of 60 years of living together, he did not even reach for food (on the dinner table) before his wife, nor did he have even the
smallest expectation from her. I can even say that in the period of 60 years of living together, at no time did he even ask for a glass of water, but would always get it himself.
He behaved this way not only with his wife but also with all of us who were his daughters. If he ever wanted water we would all enthusiastically run to get it, but he never wanted us to bring and give him a glass of water in his hand.
During the difficult last days of his life, each time he would open his eyes, if he was capable of speaking, he would ask: ‘How is Khanom?’ We would reply: ‘She is good. Shall we tell her to come to you?’ He would answer: ‘No, her back is hurting. Let her rest.’
Here is one of the letters he wrote to her:
To my beloved wife,
O' I die for you. I have always remembered you when you – the light of my eyes and strength of my soul- have been away from me. Your pretty face is shining in my heart like in a mirror…..
I really miss you here in Beirut. You can find a lot of beautiful places to visit in the city and at the sea. What a pity that my dearest is not with me…...
This has been a good journey so far trip but you are really and truly missed. I miss our son, Seyyed Mustafa. I pray that God will protect you both.
I love you so much.
Ruhullah Khomeini
Please if you can add the link to your story. thanks
In 1988 the same godly and compassionate man issued a creed (fatwa) to massacre more than 5000 mostly youngsters from different politica opposition groups already in prisons serving time. The order was carried out in span of less than 3 month.
To see the mounds of evidence and fact just put this "1988 prison massacre in Iran" in your search window.
Dr.Gautney-thank you for a write up which may open some intelligent eyes and start thinking that there is a world outside of U.S. and people are different with their own cultures,faiths,beliefs and rules of law. Crimes are not as rampant even in the poorest of countries as they are in some industrialsed countries. No country can claim superiority over any other country and same goes with the religions
Nice one and so so true.
Amazing insight into Iran and it just shows that humans who open their hearts and minds can overcome all barriers and make Peace and friendship all over the world with mutual respect and this world becomes a better place. Iran is definitely not doom gloom and oppression as the media constantly tells us. Its a good country with lot of happy content people living the life they want to live. It may come as a shock to many that there are many cultures, languages and civilisations and ways of life out there not just the Western way of life and that people are happy living their lives the way they want. Thank you for bringing this insight to us and sharing your experience and well done to you for having the courage and open minded ness to do what you did. God Bless
American anarchists are useful to the Teheran mystics. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Someone was searching under the light very cautiously. Another guy asks him have you lost sth here? No, I have lost my key in my basement, he replies. The guy surprisingly asks why are you searching here and he says because I do not have light in my basement. The knowledge of united states about Iran is sth like this or even worse. USA seeks to his answers from Iranian opposition in USA as it does not have embassy inside Iran. It is worse because the opposition in US give wrong directions to US. If you come to Iran, you will find the answers.
You spoke the truth. Good job!!!!!!
Will OWS and the Ayatollahs agree to divide Poland? The Nazis and Soviets did.
Great article!
Would love to go to Iran one day.
Is Good
Very Nice, That Right
Iran's People are Our Friends
Oh I read this article and then the comments and I laughed and I laughed. Another name seeker goes to Iran to FIND real Iran and Islam, but admits she didn't talk about anything useful, the prisoners, the torture, the brute force of police in the street, she was treated like a queen, and who wouldn't like that. Yeah, Khomeini was very nice, he didn't steal the revolution, he just ordered thousands of executions in 1980 and 5000 more executions in 1988. Execution of prisoners who had spent 6 or 7 years in prison and still most of them were under 30. I don't expect anything more from these kind of American INTELLECTUALS who hate their own country's system so much that they condone any dictator and tyrant, like Oliver Stone, Sean Penn, and now the Academicians. It's really sad. As a victim of the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC, I have to say, shame on you. You are the ones who fuel Khameneyi's tank.
Det er merkbart en bunt � vite om dette. Jeg antar du har gjort visse fine punkter i funksjoner ogs�.
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Quite true saeed, quite true!!!