MJA
Jan 18, 2011
Undergraduate / Bridging the gaps between America and Iran - Topic E - University of Texas [4]
Hey everyone,
Here is my second required essay. I need help tying it together at the end. Any suggestions or critiques are greatly appreciated.
Prompt:
Personal Essay: Choose an issue of importance to you - the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope - and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.
Negative portrayals, so commonplace with the political and media elites in Iran and America, have resulted in unbridled animosity shared by the population of both countries. This negative rhetoric is mostly based on cultural misunderstandings, false assumptions or simple malevolent intent. The actions of both governments over the last 60 years has contributed to their poisonous relationship. This conflict puts Americans of Iranian descent in a sensitive position. While America is our home, most of us have extensive familial ties to Iran. It is my aim to use digital media to help overcome these feelings and foster more positive perceptions between the people of both countries.
Overwhelmingly harmful actions between America and Iran have created an atmosphere of distrust and hostility. American actions such as the overthrow of the democratically elected Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953, including Iran in the "Axis of Evil," and the tactic support some politicians give to the Mujahideen-e Khalq terrorist group have logically led the Iranians to view American overtures as suspect. Far from being the victim, Iran's own actions such as the Iran Hostage Crisis of the early 1980s, support for Hamas and Hezbollah, and anti-American rhetoric spilling out of Tehran have sown fear in the minds of many Americans. This atmosphere of hostility and suspicion has produced three decades of failed policy and missed opportunities at rapprochement by both countries.
This divide creates a lot of conflict for many Iranian-Americans. When discussing my heritage with Americans, I feel the need represent a more balanced view of Iran to a society that holds deep-rooted apprehensions toward the Islamic Republic. Conversely, while visiting Iran, I try to show that American life is much more similar to Iranian life than many would believe. These similarities are especially visible among young people whose primary concerns are universally shared. I believe, as someone who can easily cross the cultural gap, I have a greater ability to represent a more realistic and positive portrayal of the lives of ordinary citizens.
The rapid popularization of new media, brought about by the ubiquitous accessibility of global communications, has opened a vast marketplace of ideas and cultural exchange unknown only a decade ago. Current events can be transmitted, almost instantly, around the world, allowing people far removed to feel connections to places and events they will never witness fist hand. This new technology provides a great medium for me to share my experiences with a global audience. One where I can hopefully help people understand "They" are not so different from "Us."
Hey everyone,
Here is my second required essay. I need help tying it together at the end. Any suggestions or critiques are greatly appreciated.
Prompt:
Personal Essay: Choose an issue of importance to you - the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope - and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.
Negative portrayals, so commonplace with the political and media elites in Iran and America, have resulted in unbridled animosity shared by the population of both countries. This negative rhetoric is mostly based on cultural misunderstandings, false assumptions or simple malevolent intent. The actions of both governments over the last 60 years has contributed to their poisonous relationship. This conflict puts Americans of Iranian descent in a sensitive position. While America is our home, most of us have extensive familial ties to Iran. It is my aim to use digital media to help overcome these feelings and foster more positive perceptions between the people of both countries.
Overwhelmingly harmful actions between America and Iran have created an atmosphere of distrust and hostility. American actions such as the overthrow of the democratically elected Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953, including Iran in the "Axis of Evil," and the tactic support some politicians give to the Mujahideen-e Khalq terrorist group have logically led the Iranians to view American overtures as suspect. Far from being the victim, Iran's own actions such as the Iran Hostage Crisis of the early 1980s, support for Hamas and Hezbollah, and anti-American rhetoric spilling out of Tehran have sown fear in the minds of many Americans. This atmosphere of hostility and suspicion has produced three decades of failed policy and missed opportunities at rapprochement by both countries.
This divide creates a lot of conflict for many Iranian-Americans. When discussing my heritage with Americans, I feel the need represent a more balanced view of Iran to a society that holds deep-rooted apprehensions toward the Islamic Republic. Conversely, while visiting Iran, I try to show that American life is much more similar to Iranian life than many would believe. These similarities are especially visible among young people whose primary concerns are universally shared. I believe, as someone who can easily cross the cultural gap, I have a greater ability to represent a more realistic and positive portrayal of the lives of ordinary citizens.
The rapid popularization of new media, brought about by the ubiquitous accessibility of global communications, has opened a vast marketplace of ideas and cultural exchange unknown only a decade ago. Current events can be transmitted, almost instantly, around the world, allowing people far removed to feel connections to places and events they will never witness fist hand. This new technology provides a great medium for me to share my experiences with a global audience. One where I can hopefully help people understand "They" are not so different from "Us."