MP3: (High Quality)(Low Quality)

Living in Berkeley for most of the year, I’m a bit insulated from the political attention spans of most Americans. Protests are as common as papers or problem sets, and much more varied. Tired of the University of California single-handedly destroying the world? Then respond in the most logical fashion – by taking over a tree and protesting! Sick of most Americans’ murderous habits of consuming meat? Then take your minority views to the masses by protesting in front of crowds of meat-eating students!

Bu this culture of protest epitomized by the Bay Area is definitely not a representation of the political philosophy of most Americans, especially that of us Iranian-Americans.

Some of us may support protest-worthy causes, but would rather leave the demonstrations to the degree-less inhabitants of our nation’s tertiary institutions.

Others are definitely inclined to protest, but only if one is well-organized and draws many other people – none of us want to be that lone protester who’s mocked by countless passerbys, no matter how noble the cause.

And a few of us protestophobes let our money do the talking, and demonstrate by giving money to political organizations or candidates.

By far, the vast majority of us choose not to protest, and have no qualms about doing so. Maybe, many of us argue, this is a good thing. We all know the disastrous effects of protests that turn violent, not only in Gaza or Pakistan, but also in France and right here in the U.S.

What’s the solution? Well, Iranican’s most recent show on Radio Javan, of course! Listen to it, give me a holler, and put your protest boots on (the ones to the left of your Nikes). We’re going to Berkeley.

-Kevin