2009.01.23: January 23, 2009: Headlines: COS - Iran: Obama: Public Diplomacy: Iranian: Iran RPCV Jackie writes: Words from the flag bearer....
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2009.01.20: January 20, 2009: Headlines: COS - Iran: Obama: Iranian: Goudarz Eghtedari writes: To me seeing an Iranian flag carried in front of hundreds of thousands of Americans in honor of the most important change in the history of this nation brings the same pride that I feel when I see the flag in the World Cup, or at openings of the Olympic Games :
2009.01.23: January 23, 2009: Headlines: COS - Iran: Obama: Public Diplomacy: Iranian: Iran RPCV Jackie writes: Words from the flag bearer....
Iran RPCV Jackie writes: Words from the flag bearer....
"I understood when I was carrying the flag that it was the Islamic Republic’s flag, and not at all the same government which we lived with while in the Peace Corps. But I thought the shah’s government had problems too that I also didn’t approve of, so I personally am not going to identify with this flag or any flag, I am just here to show that the people of my country and the people of this flag’s country are in solidarity about wanting peace and good relations."
Iran RPCV Jackie writes: Words from the flag bearer....
Few words from the flag bearer....
by Goudarz Eghtedari on Fri Jan 23, 2009 08:45 AM PST
Thanks Goudarz. I enjoyed reading your blog about the inaugural parade. I understood when I was carrying the flag that it was the Islamic Republic’s flag, and not at all the same government which we lived with while in the Peace Corps. But I thought the shah’s government had problems too that I also didn’t approve of, so I personally am not going to identify with this flag or any flag, I am just here to show that the people of my country and the people of this flag’s country are in solidarity about wanting peace and good relations.
I met a young Iranian-American man who was also marching in the parade as an RPCV. He had served in Namibia. He and his parents moved to LA from Esfahan in 1988 when he was a child. He sought me out before the parade to introduce himself and talk about Iran. After we talked, I said “Let’s take a picture of us together, and let’s be sure to get the flag in it for your parents.” He sort of laughed (or snorted) and said, “My parents are not too excited about seeing this flag.” That’s when I realized that not everybody would see this situation like me. So I just said, “Well, I’m not too fond of the Islamic Republic myself, but I am carrying this for the people of Iran.”
Also, here is an email I received from Farzaneh, my friend in Iran who taught Farsi at PSU last year:
salaam Jackie,
wow, I am so proud of you. kheili mamnoon,
you brought tears to my eyes,
It is the greatest honor for me that you are carrying the flag of my country.
I hope this will be the first spark of hope
merci,
Farzaneh
This is from an Iranian in Iran, and it tells me there is another point of view, a strong one, that it was a good thing for that flag to be in the parade.
In any case, I loved every minute of it. It was a high point of my life, in fact.
Jackie
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: January, 2009; Peace Corps Iran; Directory of Iran RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Iran RPCVs; Presidents - Obama; Public Diplomacy
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