Growing up under the Islamic Republic of Iran, I know first hand how dictatorships target people lucky enough to escape their tyranny. That's exactly what happened at the Kennedy Center.
For decades, authoritarian regimes have been implementing threatening tactics to silence voices of resistance and reconstruct society with its own image. Recent Bomb Threat at Kennedy Center It's not just an isolated attack on Shen Yun's performance. It is a deliberate attack on the very structure of American identity, and a clear message to people like me who have been evacuated here.
I have witnessed firsthand how state-sponsored violence is used to curb freedom and to curb population.
Our country's cultural institutions are not just buildings, but symbols of resilience, creativity and freedom. When threats like these appear in our soil, they are designed to confuse the event and instill fear among those who embody the spirit of objections and free expression.
When the Chinese Communist Party, other tyranny, or its proxies seek to adopt the threat of bombs in American soil – even if they aim to be a cultural event that attracts those who have escaped their tyranny, it is an attack on America itself. This psychological warfare tactic is too familiar to those who have experienced first-hand the consequences of authoritarian domination.
Living in Iran and later served the US military, I witnessed first-hand how state-sponsored violence behaved as a tool to curb freedom and control groups. In regimes like Iran and China, fear is used systematically to suppress objections and maintain power. The threat of bombs is a reminder that such tactics are not relics of distant lands. They can appear in US soil. This concept should be wary of all Americans who value freedom.
Why target cultural institutions?
The Kennedy Center is more than just a performance venue. It stands as a fortress of American culture. This is a place where art and expression gather to celebrate ideals that make this country unique. Attacks on such agencies send horrifying messages. Our guardians of cultural heritage and free expression are not safe from the scope of authoritarian intimidation. Whether it is to silence performances or to intimidate people who are against the tyranny, these actions can threaten to erode the pillars on which our society is built.
This incident represents a broader strategy. This is a campaign designed to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among freesinkers and cultural dissidents. When acts of intimidation are normalized, the concept of dissent becomes dangerous. If such tactics are not checked, it will not only endanger individual safety, but also the erosion of collective national identity, which has long been a sign of hope and freedom.
Antidote to blackmail
The Kennedy Center bomb threat should serve as a cry for all citizens who value freedom. When free expression is threatened, attacks are not limited to the selected few. It is attacked at the heart of our national identity.
We must not allow foreign authoritarian forces to use fear as a tool to undermine our national values. Instead, they need to unite in the face of threats and reaffirm their commitment to free expression, open discussion and protection of cultural institutions.
