Thursday
October 5, 2000
Pragmatic, but not patriotic
Articles like this ["Go
Gore"], as well-thought out as they may be, neglect a critical
perspective. Regardless of how much we assimilate, there will continue
to be a negative reaction to Iranians as our nations' relations remain
this negative.
Even as a 21-year-old student, I have felt discriminated against numerous
times simply based on the impression many ignorant individuals have toward
Iran and the Middle East. We are Iranian and we cannot, nor should we,
desire to change that. To assimilate is reasonable, but to ignore our brothers
and sisters in Iran is unacceptable.
The political argument that we must vote in self-interest rather than
in the interest of Iran may be a pragmatic stance, but it is not a very
nationalistic nor respectable one. Iranians are a very successful, wealthy,
intelligent population in the United States and abroad. Given such outstanding
credentials, we could be a very influential group globally, if we chose
to unite and be more active, politically.
Admittedly, voting for Bush, Gore, or Nader may not make a difference
in US-Iranian ties, but to ignore the issue only adds to the ambivalence
that is prevalent in our expatriate population. Rather than publicly advocating
one lousy candidate over another, why not advocate a more audible voice
for our population?
Perhaps we will only see a gradual and long-term improvement in our
nations' ties but, in the spirit of a much more worthy (?) president, ask
not what America can do for Iran, rather ask what you can do for Iran.
Danesh Mazloomdoost
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