Almost a year ago, I wrote about Neda Agha-Soltan after I, and most of the rest of the world saw a video of her murder. A video that went so viral that it is now said that it is the most widely witnessed human death in history. At the time, I knew little about her. I've since learned a little more. She was an aspiring singer and musician, who was studying violin. She had ordered a piano, which had yet to arrive. She was studying the Turkish language, and worked for her family's travel agency. She had a fiancé, and in all other respects, a bright future.
She was murdered by a Basij gunman, who had been hiding on a nearby rooftop. He was later captured, then freed. Aside from hardships imposed on her family and those close to her, little has changed in Iran since then. Ahmadinejad is still in power, and will hopefully only be remembered by history as the murderer and madman that he is. Neda's grave has been desecrated. Dr. Arash Hejazi, who tried in vain to save her life, was later accused of her murder by the state and has since fled Iran.
History keeps repeating itself. Oh, the roles change. The oppressed become the oppressors, but nothing is learned. But on June 20th, and every year until it's time for me to go, I will light a candle.
And remember.
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