Mishka Moral Monologues

I am a big fan of Secretary Clinton and I do look at her as a role model. Nevertheless, as a linguist, I am disappointed in her last statement following the Wednesday night’s shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Secretary Clinton stated that “we can’t hide from the truth of white privilege.”

Secretary Clinton is way stronger and bolder than just admitting the truth because there is "no other place to hide for it." The first official who called women's right as human rights can do more for us, then just admit the truth, becasue we have to.

When I started teaching at Baghdad University, I was the only female teacher among 45 teachers.

Newly appointed and not being assigned to a class. The chairperson approached me, saying “can you teach legalese?” I immediately said, “ Sure, I can.”

Once he walked away, I said to myself “ What did I do? Wasn't it the class that Laser tagged their teacher, who left after 15 minutes of class?” unheard of in the School of Law, the most traditional and conservative school at Baghdad University.

“I can do it. I took that class before as a student, what was wrong with it? ”  These are the words that were in my head while trying to prepare for my class.

I used to wait anxiously for the summer break to come, so as I could pack up my things and go my grandmother's house in Aley, (عالية) 10 miles uphill Beirut.

The Vila My Garndmother Owned

I enjoyed the trip tremendously; traveling from Baghdad Airport to Beirut Airport, walking through the duty-free shops, and sitting on the comfortable airplane seats. Before I know it, the hostess would bring me the lunch on a nice tray. Oftentimes, She would give me a coloring book too.

"Can you tell me why the U.S foreign policy seems puzzled when it comes to dealing with Iran?" Ferrinaz asked.

Ferrinaz, or Ferri as I call her, is a friend of mine who was born in Iran and came to the U.S with her parents. The family left Iran right after the revolution of 1979 that resulted in ousting the Shah. The family settled here in the U.S.

"What do you mean puzzled?" I asked.

"I feel the U.S foreign policy doesn’t know how to handle Iran. One day, the negotiations are delayed, then they are canceled or postponed. Then, the negotiations veer from discussing the nuclear power to be all about relaxing the sanctions." Ferri elaborated.

"Aren't the nuclear negotiations linked to the sanctions? What's wrong with talking about it all?" I asked.

A traditional gift from Ferri

"You see, Mishka, it isn't about what we talk about. It is all about how we talk about it." Ferri explained.

"What do you mean? What's wrong with how we talk?" I asked
"The notion of justice; Iran is invested in the notion of justice. Have you heard the latest statement from the Supreme Leader Khamenei? He said, 'Iran will continue to support the oppressed nations because it is just and fair. If you want something out the Iranians, you have to talk about why it is just and fair, not about why it is needed and how the international law enforces it." Ferri explained.