Friday
February 9, 2001
Each for himself
Regarding "Just
don't do it", Some of us can and some of us can't. The ones who
can, do not want to be part of the big melting pot and want to stand out
as individuals. Those who can't, would more rather be part of that great
melting pot that has made U.S. what it is today. Some of us want to and
some of us don't want to.
By us, I'm obviously referring to Iranians, or Iranian-Americans. I
just happen to be one of those who can and wants to be known as an Iranian
and don't have any problems telling anyone where I'm from. There have
been a couple of times where I almost lost the close because of it. Normally,
they give me a crooked-eyebrow & head look and say "But you don't
even have an accent!" and I tell them that I'm still from Iran, and
remind them that in the deep freeze of winter I'm still a bit more "tanned"
than they are throughout the year!
Andre, whether he has Iranian origins or not, at least for now has chosen
to part ways with it. He doesn't have the need to be known, or associated,
as an Iranian, in order to be recognized. He has achieved enough by himself
that just his name, first or last, gets the much craved for recognition.
As an individual he has achieved much and has become household name in
the consumer advertising world. Every one sets, reviews and resets individual
goals.
Just from reading the mass media, I'd say Andre has reached, or is VERY
close to reaching, some of his lofty goals. Such a person shouldn't be
criticized for not declaring that he's originally, or part at least, from
Iran or any other country. Look at another one of our famed people, Ms.
Christiane Ammanpour. She came out and told the world, on the most watched
cable channel in the northern hemisphere, that she is Iranian. I loved
that program so much that I ordered it from CNN direct. Ms. Ammanpour
can and does!
Think about this: Who would receive the social-fringe-benefits when
Andre declares that he has Iranian origins? Will it be him, or us? So,
each for himself. It's a dog eat dog world and here we are wearing Milkbone
underwear!
A. Shemirani
p.s. I really thing they should substitute Eukanuba or Iams for Milkbone
in the above phrase; we all know it's made from better quality stuff [;-))
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