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Will 'Neda's' Death Inspire Revolution?
The viral video of a young woman’s death on the streets of Iran—some have nicknamed her Neda, Farsi for the voice—may become the iconic image of the Iranian demonstrations. An article in Time looks at its possible political consequences, noting that “For the cycles of mourning in Shiite Islam actually provide a schedule for political combat—a way to generate or revive momentum.” Shiites mourn the dead on the third, seventh, and 40th days after their passing, with the 40th day being the most important: In 1978, two deaths spawned huge protests 40 days later, which, ad nauseum, produced more deaths that produced protests of their own after 40 days until the Shah’s ouster in 1979. Could Neda's death ignite a similar cycle?
squiggy
Articles like this are why Time is in trouble! Making a story out of an unfortunate event. Not very instructive but yanks at your heart, maybe! YUK!
rapierwits
have you seen the footage?
angels81
Tweets comming out of Iran this morning are calling for a candle light memorial for Neda this afternoon between 5-7pm. As far as I know these are unconfirmend reports, so time will tell if this is for real. If anyone can confirm, please post.
MWaterman
The girl in the video below is called Neda Agha Soltan. born 1982, she was a philosophy student. Neda's body has been given back to her family by the police under the condition that there is a quick and disrete / secret / low profile funeral. The Mosques in Tehran are under pressure not to accept the funeral proceedings for Neda. Already the original ceremony at Masjed Al-Reza Mosque located on Niloufar Square was cancelled. It was scheduled for 4.30pm yesterday. The "man" as Time refers to him with the striped shirt is her father.
writerforhire
This is an unfortunate outcome of war. There are causalities in every war and usually the gifted, best and brightest whose voices lead are the ones silenced.
Will this single act lead to revolution? Unlikely; The entire situation and the collective actions may. Again, it is unlikely that even if the election had gone the other way that we would not be witnessing the same actions facilitated by the opposing party.
PhilMcRoin
unfortunate outcome of war?
akcita
Writer, find another avocation...
This was not an act of war, but of terror. Neda is a symbol of the People Iran and of the illegitimacy of the Regime. No one who sees her die, can forget that the dogs of repression that the Khamenei released did this, and think of their own children. No one should see their child die in such a way. If indeed you are a writer, you should understand this.
Judging by the other posts they are trying to quash public mourning to prevent her following from growing.
This could indeed start a cycle of rage and atrocity.
TWBBug
God Bless Her Soul.
akcita
Symbols are very important in mobilizing people. The Iranian press is busy trying to cover over any issue and divert attention from this. Her image, the barbaric way she was shot is a powerful symbol that can metastasize broad sentiment against the clerics. Khamenei has trashed his own right to be supreme leader by condoning acts forbidden by his faith. These counter symbols to their propaganda are what will keep the anger alive and fuel open rebellion.
squiggy
OK, some people will rally around one person to fuel the flames but I think it is a distraction from real reason people are angry. I think it is silly American press.
JohnnyAces
Could not disagree more. The gruesome image of a young woman bleeding to death at the likely hands of government sponsored thugs is incredibly powerful and could easily become a symbol of the revolution. Remember Tiananmen Square?? And the reasons that these protesters are "angry" goes well beyond the election outcome now. How you can brush that off as derived by the "silly American press" is bizarre.
jimors
On the nose Johnny. Tiananmen Square is a proportional parallel. Associating this with war is baseless.
Neda will serve as a powerful image that will move all Iranians that maintain a healthy ratio of religion to politics.
akcita
Squiggy, WTH are you talking about. You watch the video and then come back and post.
You are talking Sh*t without a damn clue.
Meghanisgreat
In case you haven't noticed, it already has !
However, this time around, it is an Iranian revolution not an Islamic revolution. So, from now on, you may like to refer to the values of the Iranian culture rather than the Islamic aspects. As there have been numerous brave women in the 2600 years old Iranian history .
mattbenzor
Something happened in the hearts and minds of the people of Iran. With the threats of bomb bomb bomb iran by john MClost the race MCcain which is typical of the republicans who want to shot now ask later mentality too a wise speech with words of we are not your enemy and we support you if you want peace the people of iran chose the support and peace be any means to get there. This is the generation of women and youth being fed up of the old standard way of doing things; There has been a "shift" in the world a shift that the old guard politicians around world have lost. "The fight"has begun to take there destiny into there own hands because the old way is to destructive.
MaeQueen
It's a sad commentary on the U.S. gov't that Neda had the courage to protest and die, while President Obama is content to post a polite, carefully-worded paper statement of lukewarm support and then go for his weekend public op of ice cream.
It's easy to quote MLK Jr, forgetting that he backed up his WORDS with ACTION.
akcita
Hoka Hey! Mae Queen! Well Said!
rapierwits
yes, non-violent action.
swede1344
Interesting how the conservatives are all about making bold statements, then doing nothing. They did that in Hungary and many other times since. It is indeed tragic that Neda was killed, but IMHO it will polarize the opposition movement. Martyrs are a big thing, especially in Islam. We need to stay out of this. If we do otherwise, we will pay for it. Obama is doing exactly what he should do in this case.
akcita
BS,
The Iranian government needs to be put on notice that they are officially illegitimate in the eyes of the world. If our President lacks the leadership and guts to make that stand, he merely validates everything that was said of his unpreparedness for the position he holds.
Justifying speaking softly and leaving the stick behind is foolish: Just as foolsih as all the liberal commentators automatically thinking that armed intervention is what conservative posters are demanding.
We want the USA to support Iran through diplomatic means in the UN, in foreign capitols, NOT ON IRANIAN SOIL.
Obama is seeking to preserve a campaign promise and hence an ability to negotiate with an illegitimate government, great. He is failing to flex with the dynamics of the real world. His initial battle plan is toast yet he struggles to preserve it. Critical failures that will define him in history as a very poor leader.
Scarlett516
#23 Tina I'm very disappointed in you. Perhaps you don't get it yet. Those tragic and heartbreaking images instantly killed the Iranian government and the bullet that took Nada's life instantaneously made a Women the Voice of Freedom in Iran.
Wow, I never thought I'd see that day.
Thank you.
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