On Thin to Thick: Changing descriptions of Iran, pre- & post-1979 and now
WikiAnswers - Nightline started in 1979 as Ted Koppel's late-night ...Uncategorized question: Nightline started in 1979 as Ted Koppel's late-night report on what crisis? IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS.
How different the view of Iran is from 1979 for Americans, when Ted Koppel began Nightline with nightly coverage of the of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Before '79 there was total ignorance. Ask someone, "what's a mullah?" and they wouldn't have a clue. The description of Iran is much thicker now, but there is still a long way to go.
One very recent change in Iran of note is that now the Baha'i quest for the honoring of their basic human rights is seen as integral to the quest for the granting of human rights for all Iranian citizens. Any description of Iran today takes the status of the Baha'i community there into account. This was certainly not true in 1979. -gw
The West has constructed the dual identities of Persia and Iran as alter egos, the former the ancient civilization, the latter the modern one. Persia is rendered now as a precious artifact, and Iran as a terrorist state. It has been difficult for many in the West to see beyond these identities perpetrated by politicians, the new media, and popular culture. Over the past eight months, however, the Green Movement has done much to dismantle this façade. Protests, demonstrations, and the price paid by many Iranians in liberty and life has broken through the cultural barrier and allowed, or perhaps forced, Westerners to peer past the romanticized Persia and the vilified Iran to see the humanity of the country's people. If the movement perseveres, it may provide the opportunity for Iran to redefine itself to the West.
Thanks to Alexander for emailing me the link to this story. He always has good finds! -gw
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