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A Young Iranian Woman Writes

By Michael Yon Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 9:52 pm
Posted in Links, On Media

25 January 2012

A young Iranian woman has written to me off and on for a couple of years. Yesterday she sent a note.

I responded in part with a few questions:

What do young Iranians think about our government and about the Iranian government? Also, do you think there will be war?

She replied immediately. I corrected some minor grammar:

“To make the long story short people in Iran, not just youth, hate the government and want to move out of the country as soon as they can. My sister [deleted] is moving to [deleted] with her husband this July and then when my mother gets retired, me, my younger sister [deleted] and my parents will sell our house and move to live with them. My father isn’t convinced yet but all he needs is time, I’m sure he will choose to come with us.

“I am a patriot and I will remain one no matter where I am, but lets face it. Things are bad and getting worse as every day goes by. I have plans for my future and do not want to stay in a country where my skills and capabilities are most likely going to waste.

“The Iranians do not hate you nor do they hate ur government. This is all the media. The people have nothing to do with the media Michael. No one is against you here except for those on the government’s side. Unfortunately they’re not few, they’re actually many, but they won’t last forever. Someday this is all gonna turn upside down. Sometimes I ask myself do I wanna be here for the next revolution? I dunno …

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	Mark Pyruz January 24th, 2012 at 10:27 pm Michael, to get past the anecdotal in northern Tehran and into credible public opinion polls using sound methodologies, I suggest the following: WPO analysis of multiple polls finds little evidence Iranian Public Sees Government as Illegitimate (3/3/10): http://worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/brmid… IPI/Charney House public opinion poll (12/10): http://www.ipinst.org/images/pdfs/cr_iran_2010_su… Also, in regards to public opinions of the Syrian situation, while not providing the same level of scientifically derived methodology of the above two polls, the following Facebook poll and analysis/commentary is nevertheless useful: http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=13222
	CarlPrine January 24th, 2012 at 11:06 pm Uhhhhh, I’m like a young Iranian and I want you to explain how you thought the war in Afghanistan was going swimmingly in late September and now you say we have to withdraw because it’s all lost. In Iran, we find this at best confusing and, at worst, intellectually dishonest.
	John.Facetter January 25th, 2012 at 9:37 am I also have a correspondence with a young Iranian + an old Iranian + an Iranian pony. They all say different things, under anonymity, one says he hates the government, the other loves it and the last one tells me how green is the grass over there. I really like your stuff, sometimes is inspiring but other times I’m like “wtf I just read?”. An article about how at peace afghans were with having a “good war” and this are my two wtf moments with you. Also the correspondence, it seems it misses the introduction which would be like“ hru hun, the teacherz are meanie with me again”-
	WRG01 January 26th, 2012 at 11:20 am John, that pony said it was only communicating with me! Just goes to show, can’t trust a Persian Pony.
	4255542 January 26th, 2012 at 3:51 pm I think this Yon guy is a communist!
	Staff Guy January 26th, 2012 at 10:33 pm Proof or GTFO. While I would love to be all benefit-of-the-doubt with this, it does not ring overly true with me. “…gonna…”? “…wanna…”? “…ur…”? Barring editorial license on the part of Mr Yon, use of these colloquialisms bespeaks a fluency with the English language that is rare — very rare — amongst our Persian / Dari brethren. Not saying this fluency does not exist, but its appearance is about as normal as an American’s similar fluency in Dari / Persian. It is rare. Finding this in some random “young Iranian woman” is very unusual. And the middle paragraph: “I am a patriot and I will remain one no matter where I am, but lets face it. Things are bad and getting worse as every day goes by. I have plans for my future and do not want to stay in a country where my skills and capabilities are most likely going to waste.” So…in other words: I love my country but not enough to stay and work to make it better. Since the crapiness of where I live is so bad I will leave, but I still love this crappy place. Huh? That is patriotism? The desire to just un-a$$ the AO because things are not good? I am more than willing to concede that living in Iran is probably less than fun, particularly for a woman. However, do not claim patriotism where it does not exist. The desire to leave — albeit very reasonable — is the antithesis of patriotism. Patriots stay and become insurgents attempting to effect political change. When you leave you’re just another emigrant. Do not sell this cart of donkey manure as patriotism, the desired actions are nothing but self-serving. And while I do not decry the desire, I do critique the bad sell here.
	Matt January 27th, 2012 at 9:21 am I have heard similar tones before from Iranian women of whom I am close friends. Some are in Iran now and others have immigrated to the US. The general theme is that they LOVE their country, it is beautiful and ethnic and flourishing. If the government is eradicated they will most certainly move back. They are very proud to be “Persian”(family immigration prior to 1990s) or “Iranian” (immigration post 1990s). It seems to me that what this woman says is true. Their opportunity is squelched by the tyranny of government. They don’t have the weaponry to stand up to a semi-modern force and a government willing to not only eradicate disidents, but their family and extended families as well. Since the uprising more than a year ago, one of my close friends has still not heard from her brother whos home was raided in the night and he was taken by the authorities presumably to jail. However the jail has no record of him being there and who do they speak with to find his wherabouts. There is a lot about this country we are not hearing.
	Matt January 27th, 2012 at 9:22 am But I do believe that the Iranian/Persian people are terrified of an invasion and want to move to a safer place before that happens. Their government has been hijacked by illiterate thugs. a kind of modern day McCarthyism. Ultimately people want to live without fear, have security, clean water, good jobs and a sense of community. Really it is what we all want isn’t it…
	Faezeh January 30th, 2012 at 12:47 am I am a young Persian/Iranian woman too and I do use urs, wanna, gonna, so plz dont be surprised. AND, whether you believe it or not, people in Iran do not hate you. They do NOT. We have a little bit of problem with Arabs, but not you guys despite all what your government did many years ago. And we also hate if anyone wants to invade our country. We have been invaded many times and simply we cant stand it anymore. AND yes, we love our country, we love our culture. Although we immigrate to other countries to have a better life, but we always curve for our country. Our country is nor our government, and yes, we love our country, but we leave it, because if we want to talk we are going to be shut down. We are going to be killed. It is way too complicated to be understood by few lines, but we also have dreams, we also want a good life and most importantly we know we deserve better.

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