Our Privilege

Ailar Taghizadeh

Education I feel has always been a huge part of who I am as a person and it has always played a major role in my 17 years of life. I realize the importance of having an adequate education and I understand the need for all children to be given an equal chance at their future with things like their socioeconomic backgrounds not standing in their way of achieving their full potential.

When I was about 3 years old, my family moved from Iran to America in order for my brother and I to have a better chance at our futures. My family is apart of the Bahai Faith and being a Baha'i in Iran means you can’t pursue an education farther than a high school level since the country is under an extremist form of government. This type of religious prejudice that millions of people are facing in Iran and other countries all over the world is a threat to justice that no one should ever have to face. I strongly believe that prejudice and injustice- especially when it comes to education- is a disgrace and outrage to humankind. No kid should have to be denied an education because of their religion and in the case of this organization, no child should be denied an education because of their socioeconomic background. I feel that it is a duty and obligation for people to help others in any way they can to fight injustices and threats and this organization does just that.

I decided to take part in One Education One World in order to be able to give back to the people that are less fortunate and less lucky than so many of us are. Often we forget the privilege that lies behind our everyday lives and we forget that going to school is a privilege so many people in the world can not afford to have. I believe my experience with One Education One World has taught me more about privilege than anything. My experience has taught me the importance of giving back to people who have less, and more than that it’s taught me to use what I have in order to give to others.

I look forward to seeing more of the great impact this organization will make and I can’t wait to see all that it will accomplish.