On January 20, 2009, Neda Agha Sultan was sitting in her car amidst protests in the city of Tehran. Neda, who was not participating in the protests at the time, stepped outside her car to observe what was happening around her. Seconds after she stepped out, a police official shot her straight to the chest and Neda fell dead to the ground.
Neda’s murder did not just serve as a symbol of the Iranian people’s struggle. It has inspired the entire world to pause and pay attention to what it feels like to live under oppression.
While I have always strongly believed in the freedom of all individuals no matter what race or religion they may be, this year’s events have pushed me to strongly support human rights and the people who speak out to defend this cause. Among these events was the ongoing struggle of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Men and women, young and old have been calling out for their freedom against the injustices of their government.
Many Iranians have suffered and sacrificed their lives for their right to vote and they’ve sacrificed their lives just to have their voices heard in their own country. While they continue to struggle for these rights everyday, their voices are being heard all over the world by inspiring young people to actually get up and take a stand. In fact, they’ve inspired me as an aspiring journalist.
Imagine living in a society where you are totally confined. Imagine that you are not able to express yourself at all, whether it’s through the way you dress, the religion you practice, or what you do for a living. Imagine not being able to choose how you live your life or whom you vote for, or what goes on in your country. Not only would this oppression be hindering my personal freedom, but it would also hinder my society from progressing. After all, freedom of speech paves the way for creativity and change.
If I am not able to express myself, I don’t feel whole. In fact, I do not feel like I am reaching my full potential. This is why I truly believe that freedom is not a privilege; it is a god-given right that we should not have to ask for. However, this right is not easily attained because it is threatened by other people’s actions. We often have to fight for it and sacrifice our lives in order to secure it.
If sacrifice is what it takes for us to be free, then so be it. It is not an expensive price. Too many people have died and suffered already for this cause, so stopping now is just not an option.
