On Friday, Deputy Arts Editor Isa RingswaldEgan attended the Barnard Center for Research on Women’s (BCRW) “Feminist Revolution in Iran: Reflections on Year One,” a conversation between feminist Iranian scholars Bahareh Badiei, Kiana Karimi, N. of the Begoo Collective, and Dr. Fatemeh Shams, moderated by Barnard professor Manijeh Moradian. 

As I approached the conference room on the 6th floor of Milstein where the event would take place, I was joined by other attendees, all seeming eager to arrive. The room was packed, so much so that as late-comers trickled in, some had to find seats on the floor. A banner hung on a sidewall which read:

Liberation is Our Right

Jina

Symbol of Our Fight

A year ago, the death of 22 year-old Kurdish woman Jina (Mahsa) Amini, after her arrest by the Iranian morality police due to her alleged violations of hair-covering laws, sparked national and global outrage. This ignited feminist protests and acts of civil disobedience against laws mandating the practice of veiling for women. Women, young and old, marched in the streets, unveiled, and cut their hair publicly as acts of defiance. Now often referred to as the Jina Revolution, the fight for the right to choose to veil and for control of their own bodies continues a year later, in and out of Iran. 

Janet Jakobson, director of the BCRW introduced the event by discussing the importance of connecting scholarship and frontline activism in the way these women do. She then handed the floor to Professor Manijeh Moradian. As Moradian began speaking, attendees craned their necks to get a better look at the professor as she described her recent work in Iranian feminist activism. One week prior, she had helped to organize a night march in Union Square with Feminists for Jina NYC, at which a moving video showcasing young Iranian schoolgirls leading protests against the Islamic republic and obligatory modesty laws was presented. The chant “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi” meaning “Women, Life, Freedom” overlaid the images. The night was filled with similarly emotionally salient moments. There were tears, laughter, and cathartic group discussion.

Moradian introduced the women who would be engaging in conversation. Bahareh Badiei is a Ph.D. student at Rutgers University who focuses on feminist media theory and the dialectics of digital activism. Kiana Karimi is a doctoral fellow at New York University who researches the micropolitics of everyday life and the performance of gender in Iran. The discussion also featured an unnamed representative of the Begoo Collective, an organization which advocates for transnational dialogue between women and the LGBTQ+ community in solidarity with the Iranian uprising. Dr. Fatemeh Shams is an associate professor of Persian literature at University of Pennsylvania who is interested in the impact of Persian poetry under the Islamic Republic. 

Moradian started the conversation by asking the three women how they have been impacted by the Jina Revolution. Dr. Shams took the lead by describing the isolation and hate she experienced after she publicly unveiled in 2012, and how she could never have imagined a revolution for which public unveilings were so crucial. Karimi later added that the revolution illuminated for her how we are all obligated to dream, and to dream bigger. A movement that seemed inconceivable a year prior happened and on a massive scale. This “beautiful chaos.” as she put it, is indescribably powerful to be a part of and a true force for change. Therefore, it is important, even our responsibility, to keep our standards high, to dream big. These things do happen, but they only happen if we make them happen. 

Badiei discussed having to reevaluate her relationship to the hijab and how she had always felt that the “time wasn’t right” to act against oppressive laws. She had monetarily contributed to the maintenance of the hijab, but in this reflection of her relationship to veiling, she was able to feel lighter and reconnect with some people back home in Iran. Similarly, the member of the Begoo Collective mentioned how they were unable to really even sit with their desire for revolution before it occurred. They had not even allowed themself to really imagine a better situation. The Jina Revolution, however, allowed them to conceive a better world and to connect with other Iranian feminists outside the country. They emphasized the importance of continued sisterhood for the survival of the movement. 

The conversation then moved into discussing the lasting impacts of the uprising. Moradian posed the question: What has changed? Dr. Shams framed her answer by illustrating her sister’s growing political fervor. One day after the revolution began, her sister, who had never been political and had avoided conflict, came home charged with energy after being picked up by the morality police and then fighting to get away. This would have been out of character for her before the revolution, but these protests and the solidarity they’ve created are getting everyone involved. Not just activists are fighting back, but also those who previously did not consider themselves political. This passion is an act of reclaiming everyday joy, and moving forward to a better life.

Karimi added to this sentiment, pointing out that it often takes a revolution to show a society its power. For her, empowerment was never the issue for the Iranian people, it was spirit and the ability to see a brighter future. The greatest impact has been these smaller, everyday moments that accumulate more than any one large act possibly can—in the midst of tumultuous events like these, life continues, and it’s only in changing everyday life that laws like those which mandate veiling can be changed. Precisely, this is what has the potential to change the basis of how these issues are thought about by mainstream society. 

An issue that was raised several times throughout the conversation was that of how to talk about the damage they have experienced under the Islamic Republic without sounding Islamophobic or adding to Western society’s argument against wearing hijabs at all. All of the women affirmed that veiling should be voluntary and that its mandate is problematic, but that women should still be able to make that choice themselves. It is equally problematic to harass hijabis or ban the option of being modest. Their decision not to wear a hijab and their criticisms of obligatory veiling are not criticisms of Islam itself or of the practice of veiling. It is the way that it is mandated that causes harm. 

The final portion of the conversation centered around Iran’s future. The question was posed: What’s next? All three panelists agreed that nothing definitive can be stated about Iran’s future, but offered their hopes. Karimi pointed out that the Jina Revolution could very well act as a roadmap for future 21st century social movements. A major social movement that gained traction globally through digital media is not a historically common phenomenon, and there are lessons to be learned for movements in the future. Dr. Shams simply stated that keeping the movement alive each day was most important. Bringing activism and academia together to have productive discussions doesn’t happen everywhere, but is critical to the movement’s success. 

Before the group moved onto a reception next door, the questions were opened to the audience, who shared numerous personal and insightful stories. One man shared how the revolution had reignited his passion for activism, and faith in the possibility for progress. Another audience member spoke of her experience as a diasporic Iranian, unable to physically be there for the fight. Many others shared the same sentiment.

As audience members shared their stories, a deep sense of connection an empathy enveloped the whole room. The emotional weight of the stories shared was felt deeply by the audience. The audience cried as contributors cried, smiled as they smiled, laughed as they laughed, and created a strong sense of solidarity with all present. I left feeling both informed and inspired to support the movement. The movement continues in Iran, and women like these show its promise.

Jina Revolution via Wikimedia Commons