(A follow-up to An Iranian Kossack's Perspective On Iran)
Watching the video of Neda's death had a huge impact on me.
Normally, I'm the type who understands the need to see harsh truths; I haven't had to turn away from violent photos in dkos diaries to illustrate an atrocity or injustice, and the genre of music I compose is full of dark imagery, based around the philosophy that only in facing and confronting negativity can we overcome it.
However, watching Neda's death was different - it has haunted me - and I don't know if this because it's a video instead of a photograph, or because she was so close to my age, or because she goes from vibrant to dead in forty seconds, or because I am feeling guilt as an Iranian American so removed from the dangers my generation is facing.
Perhaps it is all of the above - but watching her felt like watching myself die. Even knowing how it ends, I was pulling for her to survive with every ounce of my being.
I tried not to think about how much the video disturbed me at first, but soon I realized that the right thing to do was something constructive, and to do my part for all those who are struggling (tiny as that part might be).
Below the fold, Mourning Neda, a song dedicated to those who have fallen for freedom in Iran:
(This is a follow up to An Iranian Kossack's Perspective on Iran: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
I agree with Fareed Zakaria when he says that:
While the regime's legitimacy has cracked -- a fatal wound in the long run -- for now it will probably be able to use its guns and money to consolidate power
The road ahead is long and unclear, but one silver lining remains: the events of recent weeks have indeed left the Iranian regime mortally wounded.
This song is for Neda and all the others who helped land that fatal blow to tyranny and repression at the cost of their lives.
Please feel free to share it.
UPDATED x1: I am a musician and not a very visual sort, but I know there are plenty of talented kossacks out there who are great at putting together online videos, and I would love to collaborate with someone to make a video for this song, showing scenes of both sadness and hope from the Green Revolution. If done properly, I think it could be amazing. Please contact me through e-mail or in the comments if you would like to help collaborate on such a project.