Iran Tragedy- Neda Soltani

I begin this post by telling you that I am not overtly political.  It’s not that I do not have opinions or views, but I tend to talk about them only in what I deem the proper setting.  By writing this post, I am not taking a political stand, but one against the injustices in humanity. 

I planned to write a blog today that was light hearted.  I can no longer do this.  I saw a video recently that prevents me from feeling light hearted.  It sickened  me.  It will not leave my mind. 

It is a video of a young girl from Iran who was gunned down by a sniper in the streets of Tehran. 

Neda Soltani

Her name is Neda Soltani.  There is some dispute as to her exact age, but it’s clear that she was a student there.  She was in the streets with her father watching the protestors.  She was shot in the chest by a sniper and her death was captured on video.

Since Saturday, Neda has come to represent those in Iran who want a more democratic society.  She has been the face used by many protestors across the world as  one to draw attention to the violence in Iran.

I struggle with whether I should have viewed the video of her.  On one hand I am glad I did because it took that punch in my gut to make me see it’s real.  It’s not just something that is happening a world away.  She was a real person.  She is gone.  On the other hand, it is one of the most horrible, graphic images I have ever seen and I know it will be burned in my memory forever.

I tell you this because I think it shows how social media is affecting us all.  How it can bring us all together.  How it can help us understand other cultures, while still thinking there is no logical way to explain things or really understand. 

I will not post her video, but will post a link to Mashable for any readers who wish to view it.  I warn you in advance, it is not only extremely graphic, IT WILL CHANGE YOU just by viewing it.  Use your best judgment.

Rest in peace Neda.