Sehaty Foreign Exchange

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Tuesday
May 8, 2001

* Who are we kidding?

I read the story "Bahram" and all I said to myself was, "Oh boy, they're going to get it now from the readers, watch out....!!!"

Frankly, the story did seem a little out of place. It isn't that I was disgusted or appalled. No. Actually it was kind of refreshing. It's just that the suggestive context did not blend in too well with the overall character of Iranian.com and what its readers expect to see in a site like this, specially those who let or encourage their young ones to browse through The Iranian to stay in touch with their nationality.

I know there was a warning for those under 18 but who are we kidding? That warning is a welcome sign for that particular age (if they are forbidden to see it, then they HAVE to see it, right?).

The story was very well written and had its points. I think what draws most to Iranian.com is its higher-end clean intellectual content and a particular hidden standard that has been maintained accordingly for a number of years. I know a lot of people are proud of The Iranian because it is not a "jelf" site. It is a site that we can actually show-off to our non-Iranian friends.

I am not against the idea of free-expression but we all have to know the likes and dislikes of our audience and the range in which we can operate. I didn't mind the story, but I am sure if my father (for example) read it, he might have a different reaction. I don't blame him. He is from the old school, I am from the new.

The Iranian is about Iranians. Some are from the old school and some are from the new. That range I mentioned earlier is the common grounds where the two schools meet and do not offend or bore each other, and so far you've done a good job of catering to both.

But this article (of which I even smell a bit of experimental agenda!) was certainly different, and forward in ways. Something tells me that the shampoo might hit the fan on this one, as far as the reader's reactions are concerned. Or, maybe not. I hope not. We'll see.

I don't want to sound like I condemn the story, not at all. But all and all, it'll be a shame to ruin a good thing.

Sina

* Nah beh een shoori...

Let me begin commenting you have an excellent online magazine, one in which I read every Friday and keep up with. From humor to politics your poetry; your articles touch the very essence of being Iranian too-ye ghorbat.

However, I'm rather surprised at a short story I read recently called "Bahram". To my understanding, this short story was the feature story of the week. I think you have a modern and liberal magazine, which is excellent, and much needed in our secluded culture.

But the article or short story I am referring to I found offensive and tasteless as I am sure did many Iranians. Many would say this is democracy. However I would say nah beh ein shoori-ye shoor nah beh oon bi namaki... hameh chee andazeh daareh.

The story was about a personal experience that graphically entailed sexuality, that I find inappropriate in our culture. We are Iranians we have a proud history. Our people have class and morals, and aabroo va hayaa. There is nothing wrong with these things.

The article does not show anything about advancing our culture but exactly the problems with our people. I believe men and women are equal and must be treated such in ALL arenas but the article presented only shows someone baa oghdeh keh mikhaad ouno khalee koneh.

I understand your magazine is a forum open to all, however I suggest you ask this writer to send her articles to Playboy, not a well-respected Iranian publication.

Behshad

* Little sharm va hayaa

I am really disappointed in an Iranian woman or any person who is so openly (!) willing to discuss her/his sexuality in such a public way ["Bahram"]. There is nothing wrong with feeling lust, after all we are only human. What gets me is talking about it so openly like it is the subject of our everyday living. What happened to a little sharm va hayaa?

Yes it is the twenty first century but to tell the whole Internet about your wetness experience? It is okay to be open minded to a certain degree. It is okay to feel what is only natural but to share with all?

Why is it that when we come here from Iran all of a sudden it is okay to be so verbal about sex? I am sure not very many of us were brought up to be so open minded the American way?! How about some respect? Perhaps I am just an old fashion Iranian woman.

No name

* Thank Almighty Allah

Most of your article, letters, comments etc. seem to be having only one HADAF. That is, to cry and lament on the opportunities lost to live a life of liberal, sex starved, freedom of irreligiousness.

It is thought that one has come to this world for a permanent stay. There is no life after death. There is no death. How many years one can enjoy one's life? For how many years one will retain his beauty and vigour. Everyone has to enter the grave with no facility in it.

Only Iranians are not deprived to live a lavish life, but, there are women and children living in the save world who do not have their basic needs fulfilled.

Do not cry for luxury my dear friends. Thank what Almighty Allah has given you. Thank for the birth you have received as an Iranian. Can you imagine what you would have been if you were born in Congo, Bangladesh, tribal area of India etc.

Many thanks to Almighty Allah that we are in better position in comparision to others in the world. Salaam to those who understand.

Sayed Razi Rizvi

* Looking up to the West
(received in bold letters)

MISS NEDA NAJIBI ["Just breathe"],

IT IS SO SAD THAT A PERSIAN WOMAN LOOKS UP TO WESTERN STANDARDS:

DEL TALAB-E JAM-E JAM AZ MAA MIKARD / ANCHEH KHOD DASHT ZE BIGAANEH TAMANAA MIKARD

THE ONLY THING THAT PUT THE WEST AHEAD OF US WAS TECHNOLOGY AND THE FOUNDATION OF THAT COMES FROM THE EAST. REMEMBER THAT THE SUN ALWAYS RISES FROM THE EAST.

PLEASE TAKE A VACATION TO IRAN AND TALK TO THESE RELIGIOUS WOMEN AND SEE THAT THEY ARE MORE FEMENIST AND WAY MORE EDUCATED THAN ANY WESTERN WOMAN THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN.

THE SICKNESS THAT OUR SOCIETIES HAVE IS THE FEELING OF INFERIORITY THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING. THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PAST NOR THEIR OWN CULTURE OR RELIGION.

AS MY SISTER, PLEASE READ MORE ABOUT YOUR PAST HISTORY AND CULTURE. ALSO PAHLAVIS DID NOTHING FOR IRAN. WE HAVE TO START THINKING WHAT WE HAVE DONE OR ABLE TO DO FOR THAT LAND.

CHO IRAN NABAASHAD TANE MAN MABAAD. GOOD LUCK WITH YOU.

R. TAVAKOLI

* Not Persians

I found Bozorgmehr's article "No solidarity" very informative and based on facts and totally unbiased. I believe that he will be in a better position to respond to Mansuri's comments ["Unity in diversity"]. However, I thought I should draw Mansuri's attention to the contradicting quotations he's used to promote his argument.

His quotes from Baha'ullah reinforces what Bozorgmehr has suggested about Bahais that they do not consider themselves Persians as such and rather would like to believe they belong to the larger (world) community.

Furthermore their "faith" or "religion" has adopted a totally different calendar to that of Iranians. Their "months" are 19 days each and furthermore they have hijacked the idea of Norouz by celebrating it as a religious feast rather than an Iranian one.

Perhaps Mansuri can explain why Bahais are so much fond of using so many Arabic words in their teachings when he claims that Bozorgmehr has got it wrong!

J. Entessari

* I would not be ashamed

I'm writing this in response to Cyrus' letter "Gays, lesbians must be stoned". First of all, from the title of your letter, it is obvious that you are scared of gays and hence your hatred comes from ignorance and fear.

Secondly, we "so-called Iranians who are raised out of Iran" are not trying to "look like Westerners and think like them as well" any more than "real Iranians" living in Iran. The fact of the matter is, that we live in the Western world and are naturally influenced by our environment, which in my view could be a good thing.

There are many wonderful and positive aspects of the Iranian culture like the importance of family, as well as negative and ignorant ones including racism and thinking that we are better than everyone else. We "so-called Iranians" as you like to call us are lucky to be able to take positive aspects of both cultures and disregard the negative ones.

Thirdly, I can honestly say that if my son or daughter told me they were gay, I would not care one bit, nor would I be ashamed. As long as he or she is happy, I would support them no matter what.

Another misconception you have is that people become "the victim and unfortunately turn gay". You don't turn gay, you are born that way; just like you are born Black or White, it is not an illness you catch!

Lastly, just because someone is gay, it does not mean that they are child molesters and sexual deviants and in fact the majority of child molesters are heterosexual males.

The bottom line is, you feel the way you do, and unfortunately nothing will change that, but don't spread hatred based on facts that are completely wrong.

Jasmine

* Good sense

Dear Kobra Khanom, I read your advice to that mother about his boy. I don't remember my parents ever sitting down with me to talk about their life experiences. I just happened to listen to adult conversations, or read stories or watch movies. School didn't teach me anything about life either. I guess I had learn by experience, mostly. I got knocked down a few times, but eventually I learned a few things. Still, I would have preferred to have my father or mother tell me things about their experiences... Thank you for sharing your warm thoughts. They make good sense.

Ghobadi

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