Here is a link to some pictures I found of Iran before the revolution.
You wouldn't be able to tell that it was anywhere out of America.
Humans have this weird history of only being able to move forward so much before we get pushed back again. In this example, we worked so hard for womens rights, and then all of a sudden these women in Iran are pushed back, so that their individuality is removed and they can't do anything.
Persepolis has made me realize that, no, not everyone from the middle east is Muslim, and no, not everyone from the middle east WANTS to wear these veils. It saddens me a lot to see people forced into something they don't want to have...especially religion. I myself am not a particularly religious person...at all in fact... but you will never see me forcing my views apon someone. Just like you would never see my grandmother (who if she ever found out I wasn't religious would have something to say to me! ) trying to tell anyone that they NEED to be a certain religion. I almost wish everyone would take a biology class or something, so they can know that no matter how similar something is, nothing is the same. You go outside and see 2 plants of the same species, they are not going to look identical. In fact, even identical twins, do not share exactly 100% of thier genome. People are different, LIFE is different. It is my biggest wish for everyone to see that some day.
Viewing the pictures from the website just made me sadder. The amount of oppression this book brings to life simply saddens me. To think everyone had their own choices to make and their own religions to practice before the revolution...and then they lost it all. You're right, it's amazing how backwards we can be.
ReplyDeleteWhat's also surprising to me too is the fact that even the people who are forcing the fundamentalist policies don't even seem to be into it. Most people in the book seem to join "the good side" in order to avoid being jailed or killed. In a society like that of Iran during the revolution, the only way you can succeed and survive is by accepting the practices and working for the enemies. Or at least, that's what seems to make sense. I wonder how many people lived a lie for years, just so their families could survive.
I love this book, I completely agree! I wish, just like you though, that this kind of stuff didn't have to happen. It's the use of religion in the worst, most oppressive way; completely twisted and filled with dishonesty.