The Wind in My Hair

1. Masih Alinejad's journey from rural Iran to influential journalist

"Mother always regarded pride as a mortal sin. Always be humble toward other people, she drummed into our heads as we were growing up. Yet even though she didn't have a formal education, and lived just above the poverty line most of her life, she didn't want to be belittled."

From village girl to voice of dissent. Masih Alinejad's story begins in Ghomikola, a small village in northern Iran. Born into a traditional family, she grew up in a world where women's rights were limited and dissent was discouraged. Despite these constraints, Alinejad's rebellious spirit and thirst for knowledge drove her to challenge societal norms.

Breaking barriers in journalism. Alinejad's journey into journalism started with her expulsion from high school due to political activism. Undeterred, she pursued a career in reporting, eventually becoming a prominent columnist and parliamentary correspondent. Her fearless approach to journalism, asking tough questions and exposing corruption, set her apart in a media landscape often constrained by government censorship.

Advocacy through writing. As her influence grew, Alinejad used her platform to advocate for women's rights and political reform in Iran. Her writing style, characterized by its boldness and honesty, resonated with many Iranians and caught the attention of both supporters and detractors in the government.

2. Challenging compulsory hijab and fighting for women's rights

"Fighting compulsory hijab is about much more than hair and dressing modestly, just as Rosa Parks refusing to give her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 was about more than an unjust seating policy. It's about fighting for what is right."

The personal becomes political. Alinejad's opposition to compulsory hijab began as a personal struggle but evolved into a broader campaign for women's rights in Iran. Her experiences, from childhood resistance to family expectations to public confrontations with authorities, shaped her understanding of the hijab as a symbol of broader oppression.

Launching a movement. Through social media campaigns like "My Stealthy Freedom" and "White Wednesdays," Alinejad provided a platform for Iranian women to share their experiences and protest against mandatory hijab laws. These initiatives sparked widespread discussion and debate both within Iran and internationally.

Facing backlash and persecution. Alinejad's activism made her a target of the Iranian regime, leading to threats, smear campaigns, and attempts to silence her. Despite the personal risks, she continued to amplify the voices of Iranian women fighting for their rights to choose how to dress and live their lives.

3. Exposing corruption in Iranian politics through investigative journalism

"As usual, I couldn't resist the impulse to have a little fun at their expense."

Fearless reporting. Alinejad's approach to journalism was marked by her willingness to ask difficult questions and pursue stories that others were afraid to touch. Her coverage of parliamentary affairs, particularly her exposés on MPs' secret bonus payments, demonstrated her commitment to transparency and accountability.

Innovative tactics. To overcome obstacles and verify her reporting, Alinejad employed creative methods, such as:

• Using social media to gather and disseminate information
• Recording and publishing audio interviews to counter denials
• Directly confronting officials with evidence of wrongdoing

Consequences of truth-telling. Alinejad's investigative work came at a personal cost, leading to her expulsion from the Iranian parliament and eventual exile from the country. However, her reporting played a crucial role in informing the Iranian public about corruption and misconduct in their government.

4. The 2009 Iranian election protests and their aftermath

"I was so naive. I had imagined that Khamenei would not back down, and he didn't disappoint me."

A nation in turmoil. The 2009 Iranian presidential election and its disputed outcome sparked the largest protests in Iran since the 1979 revolution. Alinejad found herself at the center of these events, reporting on the unfolding crisis and the government's violent crackdown on demonstrators.

Documenting dissent and repression. As the protests intensified, Alinejad focused on:

• Reporting on demonstrations and clashes with security forces
• Interviewing opposition leaders and activists
• Documenting cases of arrest, torture, and killings of protesters

The Green Movement's legacy. Although the protests ultimately failed to overturn the election results or bring about significant political change, they revealed the depth of dissatisfaction with the Iranian regime and inspired a new generation of activists.

5. Exile and the struggle to maintain a voice for Iranian democracy

"I was living on nicotine and coffee. When I sat down to work, only one thing calmed me, and that was cigarettes."

Forced departure. Alinejad's critical reporting and activism eventually made it impossible for her to remain in Iran safely. Her decision to leave the country was driven by threats to her safety and the desire to continue her work without the constraints of government censorship.

Building a new platform. In exile, Alinejad had to reinvent herself as a journalist and activist. She:

• Leveraged social media to reach audiences inside Iran
• Collaborated with international media outlets to raise awareness of Iranian issues
• Launched new initiatives to support democracy and human rights in Iran

Personal sacrifices. Life in exile came with significant personal challenges, including separation from family and the emotional toll of documenting ongoing repression in Iran. Alinejad's struggle to balance her activist work with her personal life became a central theme of her experience abroad.

6. Balancing motherhood and activism in a foreign land

"I have to raise my son and earn a living by myself in a foreign country," I said in a panic. "I barely speak English myself."

Reuniting with Pouyan. After years of separation, Alinejad was finally able to bring her son to live with her in the UK. This reunion brought joy but also new challenges as she navigated single motherhood in a foreign country while continuing her activist work.

Adapting to new roles. Alinejad had to juggle multiple responsibilities:

• Learning to be a full-time mother to a teenager
• Pursuing her education at Oxford Brookes University
• Continuing her journalism and activism

Finding balance. The struggle to balance her personal life with her public role was ongoing. Alinejad's experiences highlighted the sacrifices often required of activists and the difficulty of separating personal and political lives when engaged in high-stakes advocacy work.

7. Documenting the human cost of political repression in Iran

"I started creating what later became the largest collection of audio files of interviews with the families of the victims of the 2009 protests."

Giving voice to the voiceless. Alinejad's most impactful work in exile focused on documenting the stories of those who had suffered under the Iranian regime's crackdown. Her radio documentary series, "The Victims of 88," provided a platform for families of protesters killed or imprisoned to share their experiences.

Innovative journalism. To overcome challenges in reporting, Alinejad:

• Used SoundCloud to publish unedited interviews
• Developed a network of sources inside Iran
• Confronted Iranian officials directly for accountability

Emotional toll and recognition. The process of documenting these stories took a heavy emotional toll on Alinejad, but also brought international recognition to her work. The series won an AIB International Media Excellence award, highlighting the power of personal storytelling in exposing human rights abuses.

Last updated: November 17, 2024