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A good example
"You
can bend a Persian but you can never break a Persian"
December 18, 2003
The Iranian
The name "Khaton Khanom", the writer of "The
photo album", caught my attention because
that has been one of my pen names. I sign my letters with it to
people I like very much. I had a favorite aunt we called
Khatoon and using her name was my tribute to her.
Well, this was the first time I had seen one of my
nicknames being used, so curiosity made me read your
very short, sweet but touching piece.You should never hope to lose the sense
of belonging to the motherland and if one tells you that in time
you will forget please remember only those who had no
emotions and attachments to begin with, have forgotten
Iran.
If you talk to any truly educated, successful Iranian
man or woman you would be amazed at how connected to
Iran they are. I have been here for nearly 26 years and have not
been back home for 20. However, Iran is never a
second out of my mind or heart and I state everyday
that once my son graduates from college and has his
own life I am outta here -- and I will be.
Loving Iran and remaining loyal does not mean to
simply sit and wait. You must try and accomplish all the goals you have
and try your best to make a difference by being a good
example and a model citizen.
You will have the best of
both world which would be the love of Iranian
community members for your efforts and accomplishments
and the respect of non-Iranians for daring to show
pride in your heritage and making it your duty to
introduce the wonderful aspects of it to people who
know nothing about Iran.
I too have few pictures from my college and high
school days. They are on display for me to look at
them and never forget who I am and to remain grounded
and never let my independence or material success deter me from my roots.
An unknown philosopher once said, "As long as
you have hopes and dreams and as long as you believe in them
and fight for them you will never be dead." A Greek philosopher also
said, "You
can bend a Persian but you can never break a Persian."
Remember that
and never let any negative comments form Iranians who
think being Iranian is "not cool" affect you.
Intelligent and successful professionals admire those
who have taken advantage of the possibilities in the
west and yet have remained proud of where they come
from and who they truly are.
I work with hundreds of Americans and some Europeans
and I can not tell you how fascinated they are to see
Iranian pictures and writings on the walls and how
attentively they listen to me telling them what
Iranian people (not the government) are truly like.
A piece of advise from someone who has tons of
experience dealing with your issues: Don't ever stop listening to Iranian music
and say, it's depressing! It will be if you do not listen to
it and then all of a sudden hear it.
Continue to do
all the things that you loved in Iran and made you
feel good but at the same time strive to be the best
human being you can be and as I say to my own son
remember you are representing the Iranian image. Make
sure it is one of pride that comes from understanding
your heritage and culture by knowing your own history.
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