Eastern Promises

Days ago I saw the hope of change exchanged through photographs as a country prepared for an election that could unseat a President that had changed so much for women in particular. A man taking a stand for morality, beating back the many voices wishing for a better future for our daughters and fellow sisters.

The election was thought to be held in the votes of the young and women; women looking for a government that represents all - not just their sexuality and virtue. It was hope for a future without laws against simply being female. As the votes came in and the winner elected, "fraud" was whispered through lips too scared to fully realize the election had been stolen straight from their very hands. Fingertips trembled and thus formed a fist. Fingers once inked with their vote the day before now thrust into the air to symbolize peace and victory, into the streets to demand what is wrong to be right.

Anger and distrust no exchanged through the digital age, the revolution will be twittered? Real-time crimes sent around the world in moments, documented be those experiencing the all-too realness of an uprising. Violence and blood spilling into the streets as voices and signs rise up to let the government know this will not let up.

And the photos you see now are the women holding signs demanding their vote count. The young speaking out and defying the men with guns so that no matter the outcome they can say it was not without a fight. No matter what the truth is there in a face painted with make-up and fingernails brightly colored, hair flowing loosely from a headscarf - defiant acts to show they will not be held back.

There's violence and death and government cover-up. Death? To die for demanding the truth instead of a lie? To be sent to a hospital with blood running in the streets and the government stepping in to make it clear this is not happening seems to make the fight for justice so much more clear. These scenes call to mind a time twenty years in the past when students stood up to tanks and guns, only to be brought down in a moment of bloody violence. A parallel drawn between the two and the whole world is standing waiting to see what will come of this defiant act. Hope for justice to side with those wronged and the guilty punished.

But is this a dream made by a somewhat idealistic young woman half-way around the globe? A girl who has shouted in the street and shut down the WTO, asking for equality and the end of an illegal war. I am privileged enough to feel safe to cry out against atrocities committed, though the last eight years were a time somewhat stifled and slightly violent. In general I would never fear for my life in a protest against a stolen election, no matter how much my heart may be breaking I know the police there to keep the peace would never shatter that to fire into a crowd peacefully gathered to show in numbers an unwillingness to sit idly by.

What does makes a successful revolution? Perhaps we shall finally see. A simple vote has turned into so much more, more danger and more at stake than ever before. It is still up to the young and especially the women of a country far away, yet close enough to see history made as it is happening. It's still up to them to document their own experiences so that no matter how this pans out the whole world will know how and why.

The whole world is watching.