TRUMP IS GONE BUT I AM HERE
The first thought that struck my mind this morning was “Trump is gone”. I reviewed my last four years and his impact on my life as an Iranian migrant woman.
I remember as clear as day, August 2018, I received an email, titled: You have been un-enrolled from an edX course. Julia Henderson wrote to me:
“I am writing to let you know that you have been un-enrolled from the following course:
•International Humanitarian Law
Unfortunately, learners from Iran will not be able to register for this course material.”
The continuance of my work contract was as wavering & volatile as Trump’s decision-making ability. To all my relentless but helpless queries, I was answered: “considering American sanctions law, we are not sure if we will be able to continue our cooperation with you.”
In 2020, while I was attending an international law course in The Hague, the ING bank blocked my accommodation transaction without giving me any prior notice. Needless to say, I was handicapped financially and the intense emotional pressure did nothing to help. When I enquired about the legal grounds, they answered: “According to the sanctions by the EU and/or USA we (ING) can’t facilitate transactions direct or indirect with Iran and other sanctioned countries and parties”.
A few months back, while financially suffering from the pandemic, I did a paid work which required an international transaction. I took all the available documents to my bank to demonstrate my good faith and the clearance of the transaction. The bank apologized and asked me to find another solution (The very bank that I am an esteemed client of for the past 5 years & aren’t clients the foundation of all banks?).
Faced with countless challenges & hurdles at every turn in my life merely due to my nationality has determined me to fight for my rights tooth and nail. I reached out to international organizations, contacted great people (I was fortunate to be occasionally supported), wrote short articles, and thought innovatively to think of humanitarian ideas.
“Trump is gone” but I am not naïve enough to believe that this will eradicate all my nationality related challenges. I am convinced that as a Middle Eastern female, the Newton rules of Conservation of Energy will be applied to my difficulties. They cannot be destroyed; rather, they will only be transformed or transferred from one to another.
Trump’s being at the office had a bright side for me; it made me choose my battle of “do or die”. I chose the battle of action, the battle of standing for human beings. My battle is all about being the voice of those who do not have their voice heard.
I have no idea if Trump made America great again for Americans, which I sincerely hope he did (In that case, at least few people of the world experienced decent lives for a short time. Otherwise, the act of putting his foot on the neck of innocent people like me did not go anywhere but down to hell). But I can say with conviction that he brought out a tougher and greater version of me.
“Trump is gone” but I am here, observing my past four years, in which I co-founded #Diciassette, to provide young people with the opportunity to practice fighting for what is right for humanity and the realization of sustainable development, and established my social start-up to create positive changes in this world.
Trump is gone like all previous megalomaniacs in history. He is gone but I am still here to fight my battle.
