I loved this video when I first watched it. I already had a love for Middle Eastern music and culture, but this just made it all so real.

Like, this video was made by a guy who just happens to be Iranian and who has a different first language than I do. But in this video he feels like... a guy. He's got uncles and aunts and loves his craft and feels passionate about some things. Not so different from me.

And I realized... how many other people are out there just like that? People who have been demonized by politicians to justify their wars. I was a kid in 2003 and remember the videos and parody music glorifying the war in Iraq and, like many Americans, I went along with it. Islam bad. Democracy good! (So long as it's American Democracy.)

What a sad, small worldview.

Meanwhile, at least part of the culture of my country is war-mongering — saber rattling, CoD, guns guns guns. We're a messed up bunch.

I'm not going to pretend like I understand all of the geopolitics of Iran and the Middle East. I'm not trying to defend the terrible actions of wicked people, whether they're in power or not.

But goodness... How many wonderful, amazing, brilliant, talented, radiant Iranians, Iraqis, Afghanis, Chinese, Russians, Venezuelans, Cubans — literally everyone that politicians have tried to make me hate — how many of them are there? If we were to meet in person, would we be friends? Probably. I would hope so.

I grieve for the image I had of my country standing for peace and justice. I grieve for those who lose their lives to pointless wars, past, present, and future. And I grieve for my Iranian brothers and sisters. سلامتی. Salameti. I love you. May you find peace, health, and security.