Hello, I’m 15 and a sophomore in high school. I’m half Persian, on my mom’s side, and Italian on my dad’s. I have read a few forwarded iranian.com articles and decided to join, to give some of my own input on growing up persian.
To give you a better understanding of where I’m coming from: My mom came here during the regime, in her 20’s and my dad moved here from Tuscany around the same age. I grew up speaking only Farsi with my mom, unable to communicate with my dad who was at the peak of his career and not home as much, until I joined preschool and picked up English.
In elementary school I avoided my association with Persian music, dance and food, as my dolmeh was bizarre next to PB&J sandwiches and juice boxes. When asked my ethnicity I emphasized being Italian, then explained that Persians are from Iran, and no, my mom isn’t a terrorist and she doesn’t pray 5 times a day.
As I went through middle school I opened up to my Persian identity, as it was now cool to be an individual. In a school with no diversity, my speaking Farsi was exotic and I would be asked by my expanding group of friends if they could come over for Persian food whenever my mom would make it. When my grandma came to stay with us I practiced my Farsi and began to use it to communicate with my mom(making it easy to slip sarcastic comments in public or in front of my dad;) ).
Now as a sophomore I bring friends with my to family gatherings where they sit in awe as I speak Farsi with my grandma(who sold her home in Iran and now lives locally). My Farsi has improved as I practice with my mom and relatives more and I identify with my mom’s side of the family as all my dad’s side is still in Italy.
I am now happy to say I am Persian and a plate of fessenjoon with tadigh is always welcome on my table.
