Wednesday, October 14, 1998 / Mehr 22, 1377, No. 583

Khayyam Idenity Beyond culture and race Feeling strength of numbers, though isolated from diversity By Mahtab Kanani had been young after all, when we had come to the United States, and adjusting was easier for me, I'm sure, than it has been for many. But it took time to no longer feel that I had something to hide, and to finally feel proud of who I was, and actually enjoy the fact that I was not like everyone else. I must have been shy, reserved, for I had kept all of my confusion and shame inside. My parents, who have always been supportive, would have been eager to help, had they been aware of a problem, though I'm sure for them, the adjustment was more difficult and they must have been preoccupied and burdened. Today, ironically, I teach English at a high school for at-risk students. Despite their troubles, and what may be construed by society as their academic and social failures, my students are quick to stand up for who they are, quick to defend themselves against any attack, whether blatant or subtle. They have, at such a young age, a sense of confidence that I have only acquired in recent years. Some of their confidence and assurance stems from sources that are not so positive, however. They are confident of their ethnic identity often because they live in a community which consists mainly of their own, and they feel the strength and security of numbers, though they are isolated in a way, and sheltered from diversity. They are in gangs with members only of their own ethnicity, and from this they gain a sense of family and identity and confidence... GO TO FEATURE New section Books Iran-U.S. relations Looking for books on Iran-U.S. relations? We have listed several of them which can be bought directly from Amazon.com. If you have any suggestions on recent books on this topic, let us know and we will include them in this section. GO THERE Anyway White House press secretary job search David Letterman's lis Top 10 questions in the White House press secretary job interview: 10. "Does cigar smoke bother you?" 9. "How many lies per minute can you type?" 8. "You wouldn't ask a lot of questions if the president had to hide a girl in your podium, would you?" 7. "How long can you stare at Sam Donaldson without giggling at his hairpiece?" 6. "Are you willing to work for Al Gore in a few months?" 5. "Please state, in 100 words or more, absolutely nothing" 4. "Would you talk on the phone with the president while he's 'otherwise engaged'?" 3. "Do you give your word that you will do your best - just kidding, like someone's words mean anything around here" 2. "Would you mind having sex with Hillary once in a while?" 1. "Is your wife cute?" History Revolution: 1979-1999 Qomis greet Khomeini Letters * A forgotten human right A.T. writes: For some reason, your photos from hybrid Iranians [at Iranian-American street festivals in Washington and New York] reminded me of my great sorrow when I will finally have to leave the U.S. for Iran: I WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO WEAR SHORTS IN PUBLIC. What a pity! Don't you think so? Satire Bribery seminar And then you hear the national anthem... Community * Film: Dariush Mehrjui in Columbus, Ohio * Play: Berkeley play based on Hedayat's story * Politics Iranian American Republican fundraising, San Diego * Mehregan: In Washington * Course: Introduction to Hafez, in Virginia * Conference: Dialogue of Civilizations ? * Conference: Challenges for Iranians abroad, Indianapolis New section Music CDs Persian and general music CD store * Persian Classical Melodies, Volume 1 Maroufi & Khorram/ Audio CD / Released 1996

News... one click away $ Rate (Last update Oct 9) Now offered at up to 622-627 tomans Sehaty Exchange (U.S.) 602-595-0777 Quote Unquote Kiss ass - if you can't kick Dasti raa keh beh dandaan natvaan bord, beboos. (If you cannot bite never show your teeth.) From Simin Habibian's "1001 Persian-English proverbs" The Web Atta Khorram Atta Khorram is a well-known Iranian composer and music instructor that has hundreds of popular songs, musical scores and arrangements to this credit. Photo of the Day Sheikh Lotfollah Musician of the Week Vigen Baaroon baarooneh... Music artists index Book of the Week Blind Owl By Sadegh Hedayat Translated by D. P. Costello THE IRANIAN Bookstore New! Bestsellers New! Books on Rumi

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