Anyway

RB Jan

National origin and discussing it is a tough problem. On one hand we get *** if we say we are anything but "Iranian" from other Iranians. They say we are being ashamed of our heritage. On the other hand I don't like wearing my national origin on my sleeve. 

What I do is this: 

• I don't go around saying "I am an immigrant or refugee". But if anyone asks me I say "I am Iranian". FYI: I immigrated because of the revolution. If one day IRI is replaced with something half decent I will go back.
• My kids are from a "WASP" (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) mother and Iranian father. They were born in America and are American by birth. But they are also Iranian according to long standing Iranian law going to before IRI because of me. I tell them be proud of being Iranian. They have chosen to call themselves Iranian by their own choice. Maybe one day if IRI goes they will go back with me; I don't know.

But I agree that constantly making a big deal of being "Iranian" is too much. Same goes for other groups. I have a good friend who is an Orthodox Jew. He does not constantly announce it. But if we go out he gets vegetarian food. That way he is true to his religion without making a huge deal out of it. I respect that. People who know me really well know I am a hard core nationalist. The rest just know I am of Iranian origin. I see no need to shove my beleif in anyone face.

I'm starting to detest

Political correctness as much as I detest racism.

I went to see a Maz Jobrani performance recently and I really enjoyed it. He is a funny and talented guy. But sometimes I think people help to perpetuate racism and bigotry by going on about it so much sometimes and bleeting about being Iranian-American or Arab-American or Mexican-American etc etc etc. Maybe we should focus what we have in common with everybody instead of going on about in what ways we are different.

That said, I genuinely feel superior to everyone else. 

Esmart Maz!

Not just Funny but consciousness-raising! Kudos also to Ahmed and Ian (thank you Ari).

Racism thing

It is pretty funny; I admit. But I am confused. I like watermelon so am I black? Anyway my Arab neighbor went home; down the street from me. Then invited my kids to play with theirs. Then they invited us to a nice kabab dinner.

By all means "Arabs" please go home and invite me for dinner! By the way Maz looks more Arab than my neighbor who is a self declared and 100% pure Arab! 

Also: how do they know if was a guy? May have been a woman or hermaphrodite.

How about some Concern for the 'Berbers' for a Change ?

Bet You Never heard of them in the YOU ESS OV A ? ...

BERBER SPRING: Will North African revolutions reduce Arab domination? (bbc)

While there has been much talk of the "Arab spring", ethnic Berbers have played a key role in the changes sweeping through North Africa, which is leading to greater recognition for their culture and language, writes journalist Sylvia Smith 

Maz good luck with the racism thing

A little attention on things that are affecting Iranians in Iran and muslims in the middle east would be better for more people.

//iranian.com/main/blog/amirparvizforsecularm...

for ideas

Iranians.

Many Iranians live in their own confinement all their life.  It's not surprising they cannot accept other nationalities including Arabs.  Arabs are not all the same.  They are not people who only go to religious cities in Iran to pray.  If Lebanon was Iran's neighbor I am positive they wished to marry with Lebanese men or women (let put aside politics here). Many Iranians are always one step behind other nationalities because they really think they are superiors from others.  They cannot get along with others, which create a great amount of stress and unhappiness.

*SIGH*

Lemme' get this straight.

It's 2011.

The POTUS doesn't look like any of his predecessors.

The "freedom boomerang" (copyright) thrown by Iranians in 2009 is wiping the Middle East clean of American government dictators/stooges before heading back to knock Iran's "Supreme Leader" on his ass.

And "comedian" Maz Jobrani thinks the drivel above will somehow pad his IMDB credits?

Hmmm. Are we sure those messages scrawled on the fence weren't left by his talent agency?

(Just sayin')

We are not going anywhere...

We are gonna stay here forever.............that's the way it seems going.......

Awesome, clever and funny

Yet meaningful.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

Superior!

Maz, Ahmed, and Ian, applause and laughter!

Perfect Nose Productions?? Was that before or after?

White Persians :)

Thanks Maz.

It will take many more PSAs to teach non-Iranians that we're non Arabs.

Meanwhile it wouldn't be a bad idea if we dodn't get offended if someone makes the mistake :)))