Hamid Dabashi, Seminar on Iran's 2009 Election

[iiNDiTC]

For those who are over critical of Dabashi perhaps before you judge him based on the impression you received from watching a few of his lectures, I would recommend picking up a book or two by him and going through it. This way you have a more well rounded impression of him, in that you're not taking out a single work or lecture of his and basing your entire critique on that. He is a prolific writer and is the author of over 20 books so if you're wanting a better grasp of who or what he thinks..

[iiNDiTC]

@iiNDiTC I would suggest that you do just that. However, if you decide that you want to continue to judge him using some sort of superficial categories without having read his work or hearing what he has to say, that is up to you and no one has the right to say other wise. If we don't respect the freedom of speech for those we dislike or hate then we don't believe in it at all, as Chomsky would say. Dabashi has a dual PhD in sociology and islamic studies as well as a post doc from harvard.

[CMCA21]

Thanks for posting!

[i9m3456t]

Nona, I do not agree with you.

I should admit right in the beginning I do not really know him deeply. I read a few articles and interview of him and the ones I could understand, I liked.

But, I like to look at your comment from a more broad perspective: If someone leaves Iran for a better life it is not wrong. It does not make him an opportunist. He left Iran and instead of becoming a pop singer he is a Professor that has some recognition. Leaving Iran is his personal decision.

[farpolo]

Thank you for a well elaborated speech and the point you made on "Where is my Vote" from gun.

Nonasara, Hamid Dabashi is one of the most prominent intellectuals of our time and one of the directors of IRANICA. A very genuine guy as far as i know.

[nonasara]

There is something about him I don't like...he does not look genuine to me. He looks like one of those opportunist that left Iran for their convenience (not bc they were banned to stay in Iran) and always move towards wind direction. He does not seem honest to me...as an Iranian I am sure I just feel he is not honest...we people of Iran suffer, risk our lives and these idiots opportunists take advantage of it just like our government do so!

[i9m3456t]

Also, I think it is important to learn to respect each other. We easily attack each other.

I do not say he is good or bad, but certainly he has interesting things to say and we do need a goof theoretical foundation to rebuild Iran.

[mesdaghi2]

WTF?

[bijanxyz]

Great opening statements-Velaayat Vagheeh should abolished and islamic influence should be minimal at best in IRAN. In my opinion Civil movement is fine however what we need to empahsize more is the Cultural movement; meaning a real Iranian way of life culutrual movement which will bring back civil rights and a lot more to the Iranians and Iran. To be Iranian is absolutely a beautiful thing, but we ought to go back to being REAL Iranians first.

[iiNDiTC]

@bijanxyz One has to read your statement with caution for if you're implying that we go "back to our Aryan roots" I would have to disagree, as would millions of Iranians (this is not a sweeping generalization, last time I check overwhelming majority of Iranians are Muslims, perhaps not in the strict sense as other Sunnis, they are nonetheless Muslims and should be respected and treated with dignity as such).