I’ve been thinking lately about fear.  In our modern age, we’re afraid of a lot of things.  We’re afraid of the future, of politics, of all those “what if” scenarios that run through our heads.  Sometimes even other cultures scare us. I don’t know what culture makes you feel uneasy, but for me it used to be Iranian culture and I don’t think I’m alone in that.  First of all, everything we hear about the country is negative.  We hear about domestic violence.  We hear about injustice.  We see images of dust and heat, eclipsing pretty much everything else, and frankly, we don’t know anything different.  We see this propaganda and we believe it because we’ve never been there. I have some Persian friends, and they’ve opened my eyes to something different entirely.  I’ve seen pictures of gorgeous countrysides, I’ve read poetry by the most romantic poets–like Rumi , for example.  I’ve seen artwork and I’ve gotten to know these amazing, deep, thoughtful Muslim women.  I don’t think I can look at Iran the same way again.  I’ve never been there, but I’m not so willing to accept a media induced image of a country anymore, either.