Education Under Fire Screening at Pomona College Campus was a Moving Success

by keyvan
Education Under Fire Screening and Discussion at Pomona College Campus on April 22, 2012
Education Under Fire Screening and Discussion at Pomona College Campus on April 22, 2012
Education Under Fire Screening and Discussion at Pomona College Campus on April 22, 2012

 

“I have watched many documentaries about human suffering and violations of human rights that has saddened, shocked and angered me but I have never been moved and empowered after I watched a documentary of this sort”; shared one young man attending the screening of the Education Under Fire yesterday.

His was not the first time I had heard from the viewers of the documentary that it was surprising to see how different was the spirit of those who spoke about their horrific experience of being oppressed, denied their rights and violated by their government.  “They looked refreshingly strong, serene, staunch, with almost an empowering resolve”; agreed another student joining us in conversation.  “The calm and almost radiant spirit of the witnesses in the documentary, their gentle smiles as they were talking about their plight and the horrific things happened to their families, their resolve, and their hope and expectation of being respected as citizens by their government of Islamic Republic of Iran, was a refreshing surprise and gave me another picture, a novel view of the experience of being wronged but not defeated”; commented another participant.

That look of feeling empowered, of wanting to stand up and defend the rights of the wronged with confidence and conviction is apparent in the radiant faces of the participants in the picture above. Everyone seemed uplifted and determined to do more for the human rights to education of the Baha’is of Iran. There is almost an irresistible psychological and spiritual force in motion when the victim of an injustice remain firm on the ground of objectivity seeking solutions instead of vengeance. Justice, in those situations, puts its weight on the shoulders of others to make sure the injustice is out of the way and out for good. It is an amazing sight to behold. Those who are wronged choose the privilege of being merciful while the supporters hold up the banner of justice for all humanity and not just for that particular incident or victim. In this magical manner, the oneness of all humanity gets activated and everyone feels loved and supported. It is a magnetic moment. You see the effect of it on the faces of the participants in the above picture.

Many action items were generated by the discussion groups facilitated by young students from the Five C Claremont Colleges, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Fullerton, and Claremont High School, at each table and volunteers moved to the front to carry them out. A brief list is as follows:

1. Think about our own circle of friends and show video/have a discussion with them.

2. Show video in junior high and high schools, not only for awareness, but also so they have an appreciation of their educational freedom and opportunities.

3. Parents can accompany their children to talk to their teachers and principals about the EUF program.

4. Get family and friends to sign the “Drive to 25” petition.

5. Create a feature on the WolfCast announcements at the high school about the EUF program.

6. Print an article about the EUF program in the WolfPacket newspaper at the high school.

7. Email the EUF website to your friends.

8. Go and talk to the administration and faculty at colleges – there are many useful materials at the EUF website.

9. Go to the Claremont Public Library and show film.

10. Talk to administrators at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) about accepting credits from Baha’i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE).

11. Use social media – blogs, facebook, etc. to raise consciousness and social discourse.

12. Offer to help teach English online for prospective BIHE students so they are prepared to take graduate level courses in English.

13. Talk to the faculty that you know, and ask them to teach a course online for BIHE.

14. Go to the EUF program at ULV tomorrow (Mon. 4-23-12) at 7:00 pm.

The screening continues around the country at different location and people are moved to stand up for each other’s human rights. Baha’u’llah has truly ushered in a new age where our humanity is the mark of our distinction and no longer our nationality, our religion, belief or disbelief, our ethnicity, our other material attributes or powers speak for the reality of us. We do see our highest identity as being human, a spiritual being having a physical experience for a limited time. Indeed a spiritual revolution for all humanity is before all of us.

Many thanks to the organizers, sponsors, panel of experts and participants of the event; Professor Kuehlwein of Pomona College, our belove moderator, the Baha’i Club of five C Claremont Colleges, Amnesty International and its representative on five C Claremont Colleges, Center for Global Integrated Education and its interns, Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Claremont, David Tuman our talented photographer, Howard Kunz, Nick our wonderful videograhger, to mention a few.

Keyvan

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7 comments

Anonymous April 23, 2012 - 8:22 pm

Thanks for sharing this with us dear Keyvan. Education Under Fire is really a powerful documentary.
I visited your website and I should say that I love all parts of it, especially kids drawings were great.
Pegah

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Pegah April 23, 2012 - 8:27 pm

Dear Keyvan , thanks for sharing this. It was a great event.Education Under Fire is really a powerful documentary.
I visited your website and I should say I love all parts of it. Especially kids drawings, they are great.

Reply
Edward Razi December 29, 2013 - 4:05 pm

The Baha’is of Iran are not having their human rights. They are being not living correctly with the Muslims. They love to pray and live. They are strong. Thanks a lot. Best Regards, Mr. Edward Razi

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Edward Razi June 7, 2014 - 10:21 pm

This is a sad day for the Baha’is of Iran. They are being tortured and imprisoned even killed by the Muslim majority. The challenge of their lives peneterates the holy hand of God. The United States can send troops there but it will be wrong. The Baha’is can not spread the faith of Baha’u’llah there. Teaching Baha’i principles wrongfully forbidden. With lots of prayers for the worshippers of God day and night from myself. Thanks a lot. Best Regards, Mr. Edward Razi.

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keyvan June 8, 2014 - 8:12 am

Dear Mr. Razi
Thank you for your loving sentiment for freedom and justice and human rights for all. The best fruit in confronting injustice comes when the victims are let free to be their loving and peaceful self; exercise mercy and compassion and the rest of us take up the work of justice and defend their rights by lawful and constructive ways until the world of humanity is rid of the spirit of injustice and finds peace and harmony while moving forward in an ever advancing civilization.These values are the vision of Baha’u’llah and good for all humanity.

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Edward Razi July 4, 2014 - 8:35 am

Only God has the Self Knowledge of why the loving humanity put the Lord of Baha’is in Jail. They have done nothing to the world of his calling. But the Baha’u’llah is not challenged by the king of kingdom. They do worship the harmony of Science and Religeon. They are loving husbands and wifes and sons and daughters of the world. The peoples of the world do not appreciate them. Thanks a lot. Best Regards, MR. Edward M. Razi

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Edward Razi July 4, 2014 - 10:17 am

The Baha’is of Iran never came to the United States to have the comfort of being in front of the homes with green backyards. They live in the calling of the God of Muslims. They pray to the Lord of Baha’u’llah and their worship is answered by God. Love of the mind is with them. May we all live in peace and harmony and Unity. Thanks a lot. Best Regards, MR. Edward M. Razi.

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