The Iranian citizens have lit a fire. We can all help carry the torch.

Probably hundreds of articles have been written around the world on the recent demonstrations in Iran. While I have serious reservations about Mir Hossein Mousavi as a potential leader, and while I am also highly suspect of former Iranian Presidents Rafsanjani and Khatami given some of their statements and actions over the years, nevertheless, it's incredibly empowering for me to the see the reaction of hundreds of thousands of Iranian citizens publicly demonstrating—for the most part, peacefully—against what they see as injustice in the electoral process.  These are men and women who perceive a need, and who are stepping forward to try and actualize a solution. Many scholars and columnists are speaking of the possibility of some form of revolution emerging from these demonstrations—whether it be in the form a partial shift in the power dynamics of the Iranian republic, or whether it be in the form of a velvet revolution. By saying I'm empowered by what I see is not to say I'm necessarily espousing uprising and revolution as the ideal means to effect positive transformation.  What is empowering for me is the sight of human beings taking brave responsibility to transform their future for the better.  While these transformations can sometimes be violent, as was the case in America's 18th century revolution, it does not always have to be.  The non-violent revolution that transformed the former Czechoslavakia is one example.  The largely bloodless upheaval in Poland in the late 80s, as well as the collapse of East Germany and the major transformation throughout Eastern Europe around the same time are other examples. It can be easy to look at challenges and assume it's impossible to overcome them. "I am only one man.  I am only one woman.  What can I do?"  Thankfully, recent history has shown us that one person can do a lot.  Nelson Mandela in South Africa, Martin Luther King Jr. in America, Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Burma, Shirin Ebadi in Iran, and countless other individuals, have all shown us the power of one.  Thousands of other people—working individually or in concert with others dedicated to shared causes—have also worked for the betterment of their local communities on a variety of issues of concern.  What we see in Iran are men and women—just like us—who have come together to respond to something that concerns them.  In some ways, it may be said that the ultimate outcome is irrelevant, insofar as it inspires others, in the present and the future, to take a stand and do something.  Insofar as it accomplishes this, it will have served a noble purpose in the empowering of humanity to better itself. To the extent we can help these everyday heroes, we should.  This includes letters to our elected officials asking them to speak out on behalf of the self-determination of the Iranian people—whatever that may in the end be.  It includes acting as conduits for the twitter feeds and other news items being smuggled out of the country daily.  It includes bombarding the UN with letters and phone calls asking them to ensure that they publicly pressure the regime to allow the protestors to have their peaceful voice, and to respect the will of the majority regardless of the outcome. The Iranian citizens have lit a fire.  We can all help carry the torch.