Freedom Speaks: Anonymous is Not a Woman - A Tale of Justice

Growing up surrounded by strong and inspiring women, I was always taught that anything is possible. My mother, an exceptional manager in the traditionally male-dominated engineering field, exemplified dedication and the power of resilience, shaping my conviction that dreams can become reality regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. When I heard about the ongoing injustice of women's rights in Middle Eastern countries like Iran, it profoundly shocked and saddened me; the fact that young girls grow up thinking that they are lesser and undeserving of fundamental rights like education, free speech, and even dressing freely made me reflect on how different my life in the US is from those around the world and how little I know about their experiences and hardships. Just as I was seeking deeper insights into the struggles of women in the Middle East, I serendipitously received a book titled Freedom Speaks: Anonymous is Not a Woman by the author Isabella Delbakhsh, an Iranian-American college student at Stanford as a reward for winning a summer internship competition. The timing was perfect, and I knew I had to delve into its pages.

I felt an instant connection as I finished reading the last words on the first page. Isabella's story opens with a beautifully written letter to Freedom; she discusses her feelings and experiences with liberty, and it feels like she speaks directly to Freedom itself. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, which had an authentic, down-to-earth charm and humility. She clearly wants to communicate her thoughts on the topic and inspire change without trying to appear more polished or impressive. Although the book was short, Isabella’s thoughts were communicated effectively and cohesively. What stood out to me was that Isabella emphasized the achievements of both men and women in addressing the issues in Iran without undermining anyone based on their gender - it showed me how much of an impact any person can have, regardless of their identity. There was much thought behind the book's contents; the impactful and moving interviews, the in-depth information on ongoing problems and protestors in Iran, and the personal anecdotes made it well-rounded, effective, and engaging. She seamlessly organized her contents, from her letter and introduction to the problem and ongoing efforts.  She skillfully incorporated graphics to showcase various individuals affecting change, which made the information more engaging and easier to follow. Along with its articulate expression, Freedom Speaks perfectly captures the injustice occurring in Iran. One striking detail that stands out from the book is the drastic lowering of the marriage age to just nine years old in the country. 

I was stunned to think of children bearing responsibilities and pressures unimaginable to children in Western countries. 

As I stated before, Isabella's writing style was one of my favorite aspects of the book, but here is my favorite passage:

In this video, I saw everyone dazzled in makeup, dressed in glitz and glamour. Everything shown was what I did not expect to be in Iran (think Vegas with a hint of the Middle East?). But when I saw pictures of [Sara] outside on the streets, she was covered head to toe in darker shaded colors, with limited makeup, and such a faint smile that you would not even know it was there. But with all that being said, as John Green would say, "The truth resists simplicity." Understanding the complexity of Iran is like understanding a spider web. At first glance, it looks simple: The lines connect to nearby walls in a corner. The spider captures its prey in the Middle of the web. The web material is quite thin. But in reality, it is entirely complex: The intricate design attracts prey. The web is replaced every day. The designs have specific deterrents in them. Just like a spider web, the truth about Iran is often misguided by its initial appearance. 

The way Isabella approaches such a complex topic with clarity and insight is truly impressive. She simplifies a topic as intricate as Iran's struggles into something easily understandable. This passage deeply resonated with me, and suddenly, the situation in Iran, which I thought was too nuanced to understand, made complete sense. 

Freedom Speaks: Anonymous is Not a Woman, despite its concise length, was filled with insightful information, relatable comments, and deep emotion that made for a perfectly well-rounded story. This book offers an engaging, humble, and accessible introduction to the oppression of women in Iran and the efforts to combat it. I recommend this book to everyone, regardless of who they are or where they are from, to understand how injustice manifests and how even the smallest efforts can change society.