Got Green?

Last week as Iran's Tweet-A-Thon raged on my Facebook, an unrelated post caught my eye from an American Facebook friend, "Green twitter pictures are stupid as f***." I knew my friend did not know what the green images meant. But his comment made me stop and think.

Since the disputed election results of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's win came out of Iran on June 12, 2009, green wheels started turning on the Internet. The clamp down on international press coverage in Iran only meant green-colored avatars spread faster than the plague on the social networking sites, now operating as de facto newsrooms.

I scroll through my Facebook friends' profile pictures. Among them, I see simple statements of protest on green backgrounds: Where is My Vote? Where is Their Vote? Free Iran. I see bold graphics on green squares -- a clenched fist, the black snail-shaped map of Iran, a splatter of red. I see recent photographs with green elements -- a pair of green-ribbon bedecked fingers and thumbs forming a heart-shape, green-painted fingers making the V sign, defiant Iranians demonstrating on the streets of Iran in green clothing and accessories.

I am most touched by my American Facebook friends, many of whom are not multicultural mutts like me, who have taken on green avatars, some by green-washing their regular profile pictures. Of course, I know those who have not changed their profile pictures -- I have not -- also support the Iranians. A plea for democracy in real time spreading throughout the Web is potent and addictive.

Color for a cause is also powerful. Think of the pink ribbon of breast cancer awareness, the yellow ribbon of wanting to see loved ones home safely, the red ribbon of AIDS.

Before June 12, 2009, green meant this to me, the color of my Iranian eyes, the color of England's green and pleasant land -- immortalized by William Blake -- where I was born, the color of my backyard at home in Northern Virginia where I now live with my American husband and son.

When my son was in second grade, he wrote this poem about his favorite color at the time:

Green
The color of grass
That smells like morning
It tastes like mints
It sounds like air traveling fast

Though the green of Mir Hossein Mousavi's campaign carries the symbolism of Islam, it glows with a progressive, anti-isolationist hue, as it attains global traction. As the protestors in Iran take to the streets daily, they show us in the world at large that green is indeed like air traveling fast. We hear their voices loud and clear despite their oppression. Whatever the ultimate outcome of the civil unrest, the people of Iran have asked for something better.

My American Facebook friend later wrote to me -- "I didn't realize the green pictures stood for something meaningful. I'm sorry. I though it meant Hulk Mad!" I thank him for giving me the opportunity to reflect on green. Funnily enough, one of the Iranian avatars I saw in my Web travels was a close up of the Incredible Hulk, all green and furious.

I look forward to hearing your comments and of course having the chance to see any green profile pictures.

Follow Charlotte Safavi on Twitter: www.twitter.com/charlottesafavi

Comments

[Ocelot2000]

Charlotte, I love the article and the poem. I don't think at this point there is any turning back. Today many more were slaughtered by axes and women bludgeoned to death by the forces. This is only the start but I truly hope it is the catalyst for a forthcoming Neo-Iran; One that encapsulates what this country of yours truly meant a long time ago. One that remembers it's incredible heritage and history and one that honors diversity and cherishes women for their true value. And, inshallah (God Willing), one day, one that also separates church and state so that it protects every individual's rights whomever they are. Women, Men, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Straight, Gay.... This might be years and ages in the making but this is the start.

Now "Green"... Out of all the colors it is one that encapsulates good and bad and I think in this light, it is appropriate. Whether you think of Green as Peace, Islam, Nature, Fertility, Calm, etc etc. It is also the color of Greed, Envy, Money and Power. It's interesting to me. Whichever side you are on and whichever view you have, it's the right color. To me, as the color of spring, I decided to view it as a new life, a new start, a new beginning. And since I recycle, I like the thought of sifting through the trash of this Iranian regime to hopefully come out with a gem on the other side.

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks. I can't take credit for the poem! I agree with you about the color green. The battle between good and evil is a human condition. Before Islam was introduced to Iran (637 or so AD), Zoroastrianism was the faith of the Persian people (from the 6th century BC on, I believe). The basic tenets of what is the world's oldest recorded religion (I think) is one god and the duality of things (light and dark). Iranians today still celebrate Nowruz--the vernal equinox, the first day of Spring, as the Zoroastrians did centuries ago. One of the symbolic things Iranians put at their Nowruz table is a plate of sprouted greens or sabzi. Interestingly, the sabzi is eventually put into flowing water, recycled not thrown into the trash. That's how I see what has happened in Iran, something has sprouted and will live on in one form or another.

[MarjiParji]

I like the sea of green on the avatars too Charlotte. Helps sustain an interest in the events in Iran. Each time I see an American friend "gone green" it gives me a shot in the arm to keep spreading the word about this, and not forgetting the brave souls in Iran.

If readers want to "green" their existing pic, they can do it here: http://helpiranelection.com/

Or you can use my avatar from here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2446237&l=e6355f3f4e&id=575807330

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for sharing information on how folks can do it, if they choose to. I love your avatar!

[fromazadeh]

Repressed people need strong visual symbols. I only wish that the color chosen was not so intertwined with Islam (Hamas, Pakistan....). True freedom in Iran will only come from a purely secular government.
May the freedom seeking people of Iran succeed in that quest.

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Azadeh, thanks for your insight and comments. I understand green in Iran is associated with Islam, but I also believe that it has taken on a new meaning on the world stage. It has become an easy way to show solidarity for the protesters in Iran. Many of the people I know who have adopted the color are neither Iranian nor Moslem. They just see it as a color supporting a plea for democracy. I have taken to wearing something green every day--my son even put green rubber bands on his braces!--just to say I care.

[Stephanie Cantizano]

WOW...I was thinking the same thing. Great writing Charlotte; clear and passionate. I've changed my profile pic to green. Another thing...your son is taking after mom; his poem was beautiful.

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks, Cathy and Stephanie. I changed my avatar today. It's just a small thing to do.

[CAlter]

Great piece, Charlotte. Really insightful and such lovely writing. I look forward to reading more from you. And, as always, I am a huge fan!

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks, Cathy. You're the best!

[gbenest]

Thanks, Charlotte - this is great stuff. I've just become fan. I look forward to more of this. All the best!

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for becoming a fan!

[parit]

Hi Pardissa Joon,
Read your article. Great effort, well written.
Enjoyed your article. Love to see more.

[oxi]

I will not join the bandwagon of greens, why?

1953 CIA toppling of Iran's last democratic regime is why, I will never forget!

The next reason is obvious, we have enough problems of our own elections like 2000 and freedom being lost with our secretive federal government eavesdropping into our lives!

I go for the color yellow with the coiled snake of the Gadsen flag stating "Don't Tread On Me"

We have enough problems of our own at home to worry about Iran's problems! Without oil Iran would fall to the way side like Rwanda and Darfur!

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

What color is the snake?

[Supercruize]

http://media.loudounextra.com/img/photos/2009/06/05/scheel_t764a.jpg

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Oxi,
I looked up your flag. Great, fly what you want. We live in a true democracy. But there is a huge difference between supporting a plea for democracy from Iran and getting involved hands-on, as the CIA did in 1953...some would argue for the wrong side. And I also would think hard about your speculation on what Iran would or would not be without oil. Maybe do a bit of historical research on ancient Persia and its reach, on the rise and fall of empires in general, on Rwanda and Darfur etc. Being isolationist in this world is really passe, don't you think? People are increasingly multicultural by blood, culture or through marriage/f­riends/imm­igration. The Web has brought us a lot closer to each other.
Charlotte

[oxi]

True democracy? Try a Republic!

If we lived in a true democracy Gore would have been president in 2000 by popular vote (democratic election) but Bush became the electoral college president, so I for one do not recognize the U.S. as a democracy anymore when it comes to the presidency!

If Iran did not have oil, they would be treated like Rwanda or Darfur and ignored, trust me on this one!

Afghanistan: we are there to build oil pipelines like the TAPI one to by-pass Russia to the north and west.

Iraq: we are there for oil, no wonder the oil ministry was never destroyed back in 2003 and the new oil law was written in English. Just check on all of those new oil deals being signed of late now that the security situation has improved enough for foreign investements within Iraq!

Georgia: only reason the west cares is the Baku-Ceyah oil pipeline or they would have been ignored likewise.

Serbia: Trans-Balkan oil pipeline, called AMBO. With Milosevich in power it would have never beared fruit. Kosovo was illegally stolen from Serbia (read UNSC Resolution 1244) simply in retaliation for Serbia signing the massive South Stream oil pipeline deal with Russia that rivals the west's Nabucco pipeline plan for Europe!

Isolationist has nothing to do with it. We are running the most debt in the history of money and we do not have the resources anymore for a global empire.

[girlwithgreeneyes]

As usual Charlotte's post is a wonderful blending of her personal relationship to world events but I want to turn to a related topic. As someone who would be regarded as well educated by American standards, I'm using this current crisis to catch up on Middle East history. While I am somewhat familiar with Iranian
music and movies - history? Forget it. My woeful ignorance is appalling. And although I respect the sharing of support for the Iranian protestors I feel it is time for Americans of good faith to gain a greater depth of understanding. Green is great but knowledge is great, too.

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

I try to write from a personal multicultural perspective; for me, it's the only way to write. I'm no Iran expert though frankly most of the Iran experts out there aren't Iran experts either.

[akjakalope]

Great piece, Charlotte.

Having married into the Persian culture I am almost grateful to see the dissent that's boiling over in Iran, because it gives the current generation a chance to learn about a culture and country that's been demonized for so many years. I hope this isn't the end, but just the beginning.

That said, in the spirit of green, we should also recognize that, unlike grass, what will never grow back are the lives lost during this unrest. We've all come to know Neda this past week, and while her story is tragic, she is only one of the victims who lost their life fighting (or simply standing idle in protest) for a better way of life. I hope Neda's life (and the lives of others) help pave the way to a new regime. One she (and they) would be proud of.

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for you comment. I blog from a multicultural personal point of view, just so different people can relate and hopefully pick up bits and pieces about Iran. I too hope Neda's life was not lost in vain.

[Mahasti Afshar]

Yes, and to your point, green, like grass, will grow back every season, even though it may be out of sight periodically. The freedom movement in Iran will not die, not if we each play our part to clean the air of the regime's deadly pollutants.

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks, Mahasti. When I think of green, I also think of the sabzi at the Nowruz table. It is not meant to be thrown in the trash, but into flowing water. Life. Even if this movement is crushed, I agree with you, it will grow back.

[Gloria Blalock]

Hi Charlotte,

Thanks again for another eye-opener. I have learned so much about the recent Iranian events based on your post. Will try do something green on my Facebook page, and when I do, I will send you a line. Please keep on educating all of us with your wisdom. The words you share and the thoughts you evoke are extremely inspiring during these wickedly horrble times.

Regards,
Gloria

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks, Gloria. I have recently noticed newscasters and journalists sporting green accessories or clothing. I have been doing that as well. It's just a subtle way of saying I care and support the people struggling in Iran for something more.