Opinion: Sisters in Pain
A few weeks ago, I watched a TED Talk by author and activist Elif Shafak, in which she identified tribalism and hyper-individualism as responsible for keeping the world separate through a “them vs. us” mindset and making us critical of each other’s pain. Our patriotic-fed egoism makes us believe that our struggles are more important than that of another nation or people. While at the same time, using the ideals of Western liberal feminism to pity less fortunate or “liquid” countries for their instability while asserting our place as global leaders. It’s hypocritical how we, as Americans, criticize other nations for their political and social conflicts yet pride ourselves as harbingers of peace despite having one of the highest gun death rates in the world.
These thoughts come at a time when Iran is experiencing mass political demonstrations sparked by the murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by Iranian military police three days after being arrested for allegedly breaching the country’s dress code for women. Her death caused immediate outrage, causing thousands upon thousands of Iranian citizens to take to the streets and demand the end of an oppressive regime. In an incredible show of solidarity and grief, Iranian women could be seen marching, shouting, burning their headscarves, and cutting their hair in protest of a government that has taken away their freedom to choose.
And while it may be easy, and perhaps natural, to look at these images and feel a sense of detachment, the reality of their situation is not much different from that of American women. Just this summer, the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe vs. Wade, a historical moment in which women saw the rights their predecessors fought for swiftly end. Efforts such as these are often backed by religious and “moral” arguments in an attempt by political leaders to defend their stance. Lawmakers from Texas to Kansas and Arizona to Indiana have taken the “pro-life” stance to introduce bills that propose women, and in some cases their doctors, be criminally prosecuted for getting an abortion. Punishments fit for people who commit the most heinous of crimes are being targeted at women who dare to make decisions about their bodies.
There is a collective rage that can be felt amongst members of the world population who are facing the repercussions of oppressive governments. In their seventh week of protests, Iranians continue to fight against the Islamic Republic. Young girls defiantly wear their hair down in schools. University students shout, “death to the dictator.” Even here in the states, Iranian artists hung displays with Mahsa Amini’s face on the walls of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. What can we learn from this? Will we finally recognize that a woman’s pain in Louisiana is the same as in Tehran?
As Elif Shafak beautifully put it, “From populist demagogues, we will learn the indispensability of democracy. From isolationists, we will learn the need for global solidarity. And from tribalists, we will learn the beauty of cosmopolitanism.” Though our histories may be complex and our faults plenty, people are people everywhere, and until we accept that we are all together, we’ll continue to suffer alone.
