By CALLIE WATSON
Staff Writer
Recently in Iran, a young woman from Kurdistan died while being held in custody by Iranian police; the suspected cause of her death is police brutality. Her name was Mahsa Amini and she was allegedly detained due to her hijab not being worn properly. I, along with thousands of Iranian women, am absolutely heartbroken and enraged over this gross injustice. Iranian women have taken to the streets to protest Iran’s strict hijab laws, the restrictions placed on women, and ultimately the oppressive Iranian regime. I applaud these brave women for risking their lives to protest the injustices they are facing, but sadly not enough women in the West are speaking out for their Iranian sisters. The death of Mahsa Amini is a clear signal that reform in the Middle East is well overdue. As we grieve Amini’s death, we must reflect on how blessed we are to be women in the United States in 2022.
In the wake of the loss of Miss Amini, violent protests have erupted over the past week in Iran. Thousands of Iranian women are stepping out to raise their voices against the oppressive laws women are forced to live under. I have not ceased to be amazed by this display of courage, as some women publicly burn their hijabs and cut their hair, which can have serious repercussions. Some are even choosing to march without their mandatory hijabs. However, there has been a violent reaction by the Iranian government; this includes beatings and live ammunition being fired into protesting crowds (over 70 people have died in the past week). These acts are frequently carried out by Iran’s infamous morality police. These police enforce Sharia law mostly on women. Thousands of Iranians have been arrested since the protests and riots began. Women, as well as men, are also protesting the oppressive Iranian regime that has brutally withheld many of their rights for the last 43 years. While these demonstrations are heartbreaking, I find it encouraging that the Iranian people are actively pushing to change their reality. I pray that Iranian women will come to know a life outside of sharia law and know true freedom.
We see the people of Iran call for change, but what about those living in the West? Americans, specifically American feminists, are blessed with the right of free speech, so are they using it to speak out for the women who do not have this right? The answer is no, not enough at least. American feminists are focused on processing the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and making sure that small children have access to life-altering, irreversible gender surgeries. American feminists are playing the victim under a so-called oppressive, American patriarchy that doesn’t even exist. At the same time, there are women in the Middle East suffering under actual patriarchy. Don’t get me wrong, there are those in the West who are speaking out, but there are not enough. I urge everyone, specifically those who claim to be champions for women’s rights, to speak out on social media or any available outlet against the injustice in Iran.
As I reflect on the unrest in Iran, I feel so incredibly blessed to live in the United States of America. I thank God for blessing me with a life in a country full of freedom and opportunity. My fellow Americans, please do not forget how amazing this country is. Yes, it’s not perfect and you may not agree with certain politics, but at least you can voice your opinion. We have a government that does not dictate our religion, a luxury that some of the Middle East is not blessed with. We have the Constitutional freedom of religion; hijabs are not mandatory here, it’s up to you if you want to wear one. Women here are astronomically blessed to have equal pay, equal access to education, freedom of speech, and basic human rights. I think this is often forgotten. Many have called on the Biden Administration to reevaluate their negotiations and ties with Iran in light of the recent tragedy.
Mahsa Amini will be remembered for her horrific and untimely death, as well as the change that is occurring in light of her death.