Thursday Foreignotica XI and Americana I

“Nedaa” means “sound” in Arabic and Farsi, and is the name of one of the martyrs of the Green Revolution.  Neda Agha Soltan was shot by a Basiji.  She was just standing there as people protested.  Some people have said she was on her way out.  She was a student.  For no rhyme or reason, she was shot, and died.  The video of her martyrdom has made its rounds, and Neda has become not only a symbol of the revolution but, more crucial, a symbol of the heartless oppression of the current Irani regime.

Now the phrase being thrown around is “Nedaa-ye Enghelaab,” which may mean “Neda of the Revolution” or “Sound of the Revolution”.

There’s a haunting tribute to her, entitled “Nedaa-ye Sarzamin”, which may mean “Neda of the Homeland” or “Sound of the Homeland”. 

Presenting “Neda-ye Sarzamin” by Anonymous (for obvious reasons) with transliterated Farsi and English translation.

[Length – 3:58 minutes]

Now, some stuff for A Very Important Day coming up: 

Presenting: “America the Beautiful” by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

[Length – 3:46]

 
If you are able to, please show proper respect for The National Anthem.  (I cannot hear it or sing it without tearing up.)  Please note: the flag being brought out by the athletes was flying over the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Presenting the “Star Spangled Banner” by the Utah Symphony Orchestra and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT

[Length – 4:33 minutes]

 
This Independence Day, be grateful indeed.  Be grateful that we have relatively free and transparent elections.  Be grateful that we can protest whenever we want – and that this is guaranteed by our Constitution – without being thrown in jail, tortured, our civil records besmirched, student dormitories raided by thugs and students hauled away and not to be heard from or about, or shot by random thugs.  Be grateful that we can listen what we want to, say what we want to – where the rabid rightwinger and radical leftwinger are both tolerated by law.  Be grateful that religious leaders stay in their churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples rather than lording above us as supreme masters, being unassailable.  Be grateful that no one is forced to say that God is Great – we say it when we mean it.  Be grateful we can cheer whomever we want, support whatever we want, and not be forced to constantly call death upon supposed enemies.  Be grateful that political opponents can coexist without plotting to overthrow or destroy the other.  Be grateful for the American spirit which is like a cool breeze wafting over people, enlivening them.

The Declaration of Independence, which we commemorate and celebrate every July 4, is as alive and valid as ever.  Let us promote its principles, and support any and all peoples struggling to throw off the yoke of dictatorship, tyranny, and oppression.  Such revolutions are almost always bloody, but as Thomas Jefferson said, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is its natural manure.”

We have much to be grateful for.  The Green Revolution in Iran demonstrates this vividly.  So while we honor the Red, White, and Blue this July 4, let us go green so that we may, in some measure, offer support and assistance to others struggling to breathe free.

God Bless America: my land, your land, our land.

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