Democracy

Professor Halleh Ghorashi reflects on the conditions that make sustainable change possible and her time as a revolutionary in Iran. She writes: “It did not take more than two years for the hope and solidarity during the time of the revolution to be replaced by hatred and violence. This experience showed me the dual face of the revolution, which I have often described as an experience of paradise and hell in a very short period of time.” Like people before her, Ghorashi urges people to have the patience to make long-term, sustainable changes. She leaves us with the question of how we can connect big ideals with small acts.