My favorite class this semester is International Communication. I probably have the lowest grade in it out of all my classes though, bahhhh. I continue to have a growing passion for different cultures and justice, and this class revolves around both of those things. Each class, my mind is opened and I get to explore whichever adventure my teacher has planned for us. My professor’s name is Brad Owens, and he’s one of my most favorite professors so far (I have two favorites) (The other is Dr. Weaver who teaches Heritage). They’re both great men who have created an identity for themselves, despite having to go against the status quo to do it. It’s inspiring and I love seeing people living their lives like that.
Today we talked about this booked called Reading Lolita in Tehran. The premise of the books is about the injustices Middle Eastern women endure every day in their culture. They can literally get shot for going to school and choosing to learn. It’s sickening and true. Most of these women don’t have an identity of their own. They can define words, but not themselves.
From there, we began discussing the times in our lives where other people have chosen to define, for themselves and to us, who we are. I could feel the tension in my chest that pounds every time I’m confronted with a personal question. I doubt I was the only one.
Someone raised their hand and began discussing the identity issues they face regarding their race, and what roles they’re expected to fulfill (and not fulfill) because of that. And then the challenge of defining their own self, despite the predisposed expectations and stereotypes.
Another person raised their hand, and began talking about how they grew up in a predominately conservative, Christian home, and how they began their journey of seeing the world differently. This person talked about the times when she would go back to her family, may it be during a holiday or family reunion, and how she would have to essentially lie out of omission as a courtesy to her relatives. She mentioned the offense she felt at the fact that she felt she had to be dishonest about what she believed.
I could personally relate to that out of my own experience. And I realized that’s what it was: other people were defining for themselves who I ought to be. And I thought with rage, who are YOU to decide for YOURSELF who I AM.
It really is offensive how normal and easy it is for people to think less of you for having any given belief. Despite the fact that you are choosing to believe it because you believe it to be GOOD. They view you as a villain when you’re intention is to be a hero.
This happens everywhere you go. There is not one political party, group of people or place in the world that’s excused of this.
Despite being very aware of my identity, it’s still a daily challenge to refuse conformity. It’s hard to fight prejudices and it hurts.
“To be nobody-but-yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you like everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” – E. E. Cummings
Forget politics and family judgements. Let’s talk about friends.
“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies. But a great deal more to stand up to your friends.” – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling
The rules we’ve formed regarding those intricate relationships can be at times the most fearsome. But we need never be afraid if our intentions are true and its purpose is good. No one has the right to tell you otherwise because no one is YOU, which means they can not decide that. Don’t be fooled: it matters not their intention, compared to your conviction.
“Glow, glow, melt and flow. Eviscerate your fragile frame and spill it out in the ragged floor, a thousand different versions of yourself. And if the old guards still defend, they got nothing left on which you depend, so enlist every ounce of your bright blood, and off with their heads. Jump from the book. You’re not obliged to swallow anything you despise. See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life, and they got no right. As sure as you have eyes, they got no right.” – Sleeping Lessons, The Shins
Do not be afraid to be great, to stand out above the rest, to exert your individuality, to be who you are, to love yourself, to prove yourself worthy and to fight off the lies of the enemy.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” – Marianne Williamson
This directly relates to the culture we live in. We are living in a time where people get to be who they are more than any other time in history. Here. In this place. Where you are. Right now. Me, writing this. You, reading it. I get to do this! I get to express myself! It is our obligation to seize this beautiful, rare opportunity, not run from it! It’s kind of amazing. I don’t know how or why God has blessed my life enough to put me here, in this country, in this time, where I have the opportunity to learn at this university, grow with Him in freedom and to say and do what I believe. It’s truly indescribable and all-consuming when one thinks about the shear odds of it all.
Dr. Owens ended the class by stating his optimism for the Iranian culture. He described with awe the stubbornness and idealism those people have for their country. They deserve and are tired of letting others impede their long awaited progress. He said, Reading Lolita in Tehran was one his top three books, and that the limits he’s learned the Iranians are willing to put up with are humbling.
I can attest to the humility and new found passion I felt for Iran by simply hearing about it.
to the fullest 