June 18, 2023 will mark 40 years since 10 Baha’i women were hanged in Shiraz. Their only ‘crime’ was their refusal to renounce their beliefs in a faith that promotes the principles of gender equality, unity, justice, and truthfulness. This collection highlights Baha’i Blog content relating to the ongoing persecution of Baha’is in Iran.
Baha’i Blog is proud to present “Switch”, a short film made by Kyle Schmalenberg.
The film is based on a poem that was written purposefully to cast a negative shadow when it’s read one way, and the opposite feeling when read in reverse succession. The lines and words are the same; the only thing that changes is the direction and inflection of the words that are read.
This video was inspired by this quote by Abdu’l-Baha:
Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the future! Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth, but behold the day will come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches thereof shall be laden with fruit. Rejoice and be glad that this day has dawned, try to realize its power, for it is indeed wonderful! God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world!
The poem invites us to see the hope, possibility and potential in the things that need to change and get better. Like all things, when looking at the state of the world and humanity as a whole, there are multiple ways to view them. We can choose to look at these images through a lens that paints a sad, more hopeless picture, or we can choose to look at those same images through a different lens and see where there is good. Most importantly, see that it can be changed and that we can change it.
“Switch” was commissioned by Baha’i Blog, and you can check out our other great original content by subscribing to Baha’i Blog’s YouTube channel to see more awesome Baha’i-inspired content.
Below are the words of the poem used in the film:
“SWITCH”
PART I
I should just stop caring I will never believe that I can make a difference. Everywhere I look I see things that make me sad I won’t be the one to say Things can be changed. I can change them Whenever I think that, “There is nothing more powerful than love” That’s the lie “This is the way things have to be” The world will come together as one Isn’t true, and “No one even cares” So one day I will convince you That you cannot change a thing They say You will realize Complacency Is more important than Courage From what I see The power of peace Will not conquer The endurance of greed We are living in a world worth saving? No one is willing to save it Look… Where has our humanity brought us Can’t anyone else see? People shouldn’t value each other any more You can look me in the eyes and say Don’t pretend that There is hope It has been shown time and time again This simply can’t be Just turn around and walk the other way…
PART II (Reverse)
Just turn around and walk the other way… This simply can’t be It has been shown time and time again There is hope Don’t pretend that You can look me in the eyes and say People shouldn’t value each other any more. Can’t anyone else see? Where has our humanity brought us Look… No one is willing to save it We are living in a world worth saving The endurance of greed Will not conquer The power of peace From what I see Courage Is more important than Complacency You will realize They say That you cannot change a thing So one day I will convince you “No one even cares” Isn’t true, and The world will come together as one “This is the way things have to be” That’s the lie “There is nothing more powerful than love” Whenever I think that Things can be changed. I can change them I won’t be the one to say I see things that make me sad Everywhere I look I can make a difference I will never believe that I should just stop caring
Through 15 years of experience, Laura has honed a growing repertoire as a producer and media artist. Her media skills include film production, video editing and photography and as a producer she has led numerous creative projects, as well as managed and organized small and large scale events. Laura also helps deliver content to audiences through compelling and effective digital strategies including marketing approaches through design and web products. She currently lives in Toronto, Canada with her two children.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia.
We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.
Baha’i Blog is a non-profit independent initiative
The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha’i Faith.
Powerful and thought-provoking.
Lolita Robinson (January 1, 2016 at 2:54 PM)
Very clever poem and a great film to help reveal it’s strength. How can I promote the poem and film?
Blair Schmalenberg (March 3, 2019 at 6:46 PM)
Glad you enjoyed the film! You can always help by sharing the link with your friends and others. Thanks for your support and encouragement! 🙂
Naysan Naraqi (March 3, 2019 at 11:59 PM)