I’ve noted a lot of folks changing their Twitter icons to green in solidarity with Iranians protesting the recent (pretty clearly stolen) election. There’s even a widget to do it automatically for you.
On the one hand, “Solidarity!” I mean, that’s pretty cool.
On the other hand, what the heck, wearing green on your icon? That’s a pretty lame (and safe) thing to do.
On the other hand, what else is there to do? I agree with speaking out, but there’s not a lot of direct action to be taken (at least not by the US … we blew our moral high ground on Iran way too many times in the past to make our officially Doing Something any better than hypocrisy, let alone whether it would simply discredit the opposition.
Plus, of course, it’s not like that opposition is actually all puppies and unicorns and rainbows. Mousavi is arguably better than Ahmadinejad, but, heck, not many folks aren’t.
So … if I turn my icon green, am I making a valuable statement and offering solidarity to the people of Iran against this attack on their democratic wishes? Or am I joining the proud tradition of folks making a safe, self-congratulatory, and useless gesture that doesn’t actually mean a whole heck of a lot (and isn’t likely to be seen by any Iranians anyway)?
My opinion? The latter. I toyed with it idea a few days ago (following Kate’s idea of simply using something green, rather than coating a normal icon green), but as soon as I did, I just… well, felt like a hypocrite, honestly.
What on earth did I (or anyone else) think it would do?
Where was all that outrage in 2000, North America?
I am positively thrilled that Twitter is helping protesters speak out against what is pretty clearly a stolen election and avoid censorship.
Painting my icon green feels like I’m taking partial credit for it, though, and that I can’t do.
Thank you. It does no harm, except that it does no good, beyond making me feel like I’m Speaking Out Boldly … which, really, I’m not (unless I’m an Iranian Twitterer). Whereas, honestly, posting links and commentary in my blog, etc., is probably a lot more useful.
I do have a problem with comparing Iran 2009 to US 2000 (or 2004). While I think the system was gamed, in many ways, it was far less blatant, or violent, a theft of the election … and the system has, in fact, corrected itself. The difference may be between a company ripping you off and being mugged in an alley, but I think there is a difference.
I thought about it as well until I realized it didn’t mean anything anymore than slapping one of those obnoxious “support our troops” yellow ribbon magnets on my car would have meant. Which would be, basically: Look! I turned my icon green so I could be part of the cool crowd!
That’s an excellent analogy — except that some troops (or their families) are likely to see the little magnet thingy on your car and derive some small feeling of emotional support from it (unless you drive like a jerk, which doesn’t seem to be inversely related to little yellow ribbons).
Most of the tweets are faux tweets from Israeli IP addy’s ginned up for US consumption. So go green if you wish, but it’s mostly useless and does nothing, just like the yellow car stickers.
I went green just yesterday, even knowing full well it’s nothing more than a symbolic gesture of support. While I absolutely support Iranian citizens in their fight, there’s very little I can actually DO to help them out. If the people of Iran haven’t been able to get rid of their oppressive sham of a government in 30 years, a bunch of Americans painting their Twitter avatars green isn’t going to suddenly change the state of things.
Short of providing them with weapons to stage a coup or transportation and sanctuary so they can just get the fuck OUT of Iran (neither of which will happen) America’s got little or nothing to offer the citizens of Iran.
Symbolically “standing with” Iranians makes us FEEL useful, even though we’re NOT. And God knows Americans have become quite well-versed in choosing the “right” course of action according to gut instinct, especially in the past 20 years or so!
With all that in mind, I’ve been going back & forth about restoring my avatar since the minute I made it green.
Go for it and stop over analyzing!
When I was in Iran a few years ago, the Iranians thought that everyone hated them in the US and perceived them as barbaric and hey, Axcess of Evil. If Twitter or any other tool allows us to show a little love and compassion, then don’t fight it. Ignoring them, is the worst thing you can do.
And, if you are willing to go a step further, you can join in at local rallies or at least spread the word. Please keep talking and keep the cause alive. “Transformers” is beating Iran in the Twitter topic ranking!