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Monday * I see a Googoosh in myself I read an artilcle written by Mr. Tabib about Googoosh ["Romanticizing the past"] in which there are some misunderstanding which I would like to point out: I am a middle-aged Western-educated doctor, who lives in an affluent part of Tehran, but I see the depth of Googoosh's popularity even among the poorest layers of the society, of which most of my patients come from. On the day of her Toronto concert, I witnessed all the people in the hospital sticking their BBC-tuned radios to their ears just to know the latest news. That day was the day of Googoosh all around the country. I sure hope they never intended to "show off their flashy outfits to their relatives" as Mr. Tabib put it. I have thought about the Googoosh phenomenon for such a long time, and wondered why has this dimunitive woman has become a member of the family for all of us. I think the reason is the fact that her life story is the life story of each and every one of us, the repressed and isolated women of Iran. Living in a fanatic country, raising under the tyranny of father (and in this case stepmother) and later being misused and milked by husbands. Men who use us and then throw us away whenever they like it. Because the law permits them to do so. After the revolution she was forced to stay home and that proved that Islamic regime buries beauty and talent just to stay in power. I see a Googoosh in myself and every other woman in Iran, fire under the ashes. I would like to come out and cry out from the bottom of my heart, "Thank you Googoosh for being a sister for us, thanks for being our diva, sing for our broken hearts, always." >>> FULL TEXT * Googoosh should make money Mr. Tabib ["Romanticizing the past"] seems to take the position that in order to qualify as a feminist and political spokesperson, Googoosh shouldn't make any money. Why shouldn't she make money? She works hard, and provides something that brings people enjoyment, nostalgia and new ways of perceiving ourselves and others. I venture a guess that Googoosh has a mortgage, electric bills and an old age to plan for just like the rest of us. If some people looked at her concert as just a place to show off their latest fashions, then take that for what it's worth. I attended the concert and I found it to tasteful, well-presented, musically interesting AND courageous, all at the same time. Googoosh, we love what you contribute. You go girl!!!!! And if you can make some money at the same time, more power to you!!! * Are you jealous? Are you jealous that you can't make that much money?["Romanticizing the past"] Everyone works for money stupid. Profit has been the engine of civilization not being innocent suppressed singer. History is filled with injustice and suppression. You're sitting in your secure place in the West and making money then criticizing Googoosh's profit motives?! Who cares what history says. Now let's think if she wanted to give a free concert, according to your wish. Would you write a check for her cause? In that case you would write exactly the opposite -- articles like "Googoosh is begging people!" We know you writers. You are just the example of the adage that says: fozool ro bordand jahanam goft hizomesh tare. She is just a motreb and did what she could and got some money too and people were happy for the performance. I bet you're the same type of peerson that used to criticize the Shah and put the country in this sh**. Get a life and F*** off. * Great work Absolutely great work ["Googoosh, the myth"]. I was in that New York concert too. The strange thing about going to Googoosh's concert among some of my friends here in Boston was this rather uncomfortable feeling that they would radiate that somehow going to her concert was rather degrading or beneath them and/or beneath the values they uphold. After I came back from the concert, I knew it was an historic event for us Iranians. I tried to convey that feeling/message to them obviously not as eloquent as you have in your piece. Now I can cheat/quote. * Open Letter to Nooneh Dear Nooneh, I want to tell you that I read (and enjoyed) your short story "Bahram". I sent it to some of my friends, wishfully proclaiming the discovery of a woman (I hope you are no "sibil koloft" masquerading as one) who is not afraid of expressing all aspects of her innermost sexual fantasies and baring her soul for all to see. I hoped we were on the threshold of witnessing the development of a woman writer who would continue where Foroogh left off -- a writer who would stand up to the ubiquitous holier-than-thou prudes in our society and show us how the new generation of liberalized Iranian women was rising out of the ashes of millennia of suppression. But reading your second piece, "Dariush" later on did disturb me. I have to admit I was shocked. What did stun me more was the content of those sexual fantasies. My unsolicited (and therefore useless) advice is this: consider if the abuse of a painter's artistic talent for a painstakingly realistic portrayal of a piece of excrement can artistically be justified? >>> FULL TEXT * Nooneh & Farhad I support the freedom of writers, publishers, etc. I even support your writings. I enjoyed reading your first story, "Bahram", but as a critic and a reader I suggest you take some writing classes to improve your skills. Your knowledge of English literature is very good and you seem to have the artistic soul to create but your gift needs to be worked on by professionals. In "Farhad" you have started to repeat yourself and if you plan to become a writer you do need to polish and improve your shining and creative pen. * Sounds of our chilhood Thank you for the beautiful story ["Sedaa-ye koocheh"]. A beautiful story that has come to exist out of illness. How wonderful life is, no? I was very touched by your choice of title for the piece: Sedaa-ye koocheh. I always think that the sounds of our chilhood, together with other beautiful "feelings" are the only worthwhile articles of our pasts that we should keep in our minds. Nothing else really matters. Sedaa-ye Maadar Bozorg, Sedaa-ye khandeye Bachehaa, Sedaaye Gach rooye Takhte class. And, as for other feelings, Ostad Moshiri says it all: Dast-e Garm-e Doost Dar Shabhaa-ye Sard-e Shahr. Thank you, again. Emad * Open your mind In response to Ghazal ["Give me a break"]: I think you misinterpreted what Yariz was saying ["Embrace"]. I think you're on the right track too. Yariz wasn't saying you should forget your culture. I think she was saying you shouldn't stick to only what your roots are. You should open your mind and "embrace" the new culture in which you are living in. That should not necessarily result in replacement of your old culture; it's simply an extension. As a small example, I told a friend of mine that I really want to learn playing guitar. He went on and on telling me how I should stick to a Persian traditional instrument because that's from my homeland, roots, etc., etc. At that moment, I thought of Yariz's article! I hope you know what I'm trying to say. Extending your horizons and modifying your culture doesn't mean you think of your old culture as inferior; it could simply mean you want to make it better. Don't tell me our culture is the perfect and doesn't have room for improvements! Hafez and Sa'di are parts of the culture to keep. But there are things like BMW-obsession that could go away. By the way, there are lots of American poems worth reading. * Anti-Semitism is a no no Mr. John Mohammdi, I will gladly accept your challenge ["False & malicious"] but I definitely did not mean to label you as an anti-Semitic specially that I read, enjoyed, and agreed with your opinion voiced in "Ghost of Khobar". Referring back to this article a sentence such as: "Well, if that is the sort of thinking that passes for analysis nowadays, I have hypothetical scenario too: the Israelis blew up the Americans at Khobar to prevent or hinder a possible US and Saudi rapprochement with Iran." is without a doubt an anti-Semitic reference by today's standards, whoever is setting them, the media I guess. The fact is that it is okay for the media and government and people, to some extent, to be anti-Iranian but anti-Semitism is a no no!. As I said before I agree with your point of view, but when such issues are raised when you tilt toward a particular group or ethnicity, you will immediately be labeled as anti (other group). That is how life is I am sorry! My letter to Iranian.com was primarily targeted at the half-baked letter sent by Mr. Keshavarz's "Bunch of chickens" who labeled Iranian-Americans as miserable emigrants who... Just go back and read it. * Bahaism 2nd most widespread religion In response to the letter of Cyrus (Bahaullah schizophrenic), there are very clear answers. The Bahai Faith is the 2nd most widespread independent religion on earth and among the fastest growing of the world's independent religions. Now in its 157th year, this world faith numbers some six million followers who recognize Bahaullah as God's Messenger to humanity for this age -- the age in which humanity will reach maturity. He completes a cycle of Divine Messengers to humanity Who have progressively revealed to the world principles, morals, and laws, but prophesies Himself that more Messengers will come in the future and that He is not the last. As a cure for growing moral and social disorder, He offered a vision of a united human race and laid down the steps to be taken in order to achieve this. I invite you to investigate for yourself this new Faith of God, the Bahai Faith: //homepages.about.com/farrid/messages.html I wonder if Cyrus lives in slumber of negligence. Dr F. Abbasi * Astounded by Bahaullah Which one of Bahaullah's books has Mr Babakan studied to make such arbitary comment about religion and history? ["All prophets the same"] Anyone keeping up with international current affairs, and in general the fastly deteorating state of humanity, will be astounded by the prophetic words of Bahaullah who in the late Nineteenth century cautioned mankind: "....the strife that divides and afflicts the human race is daily increasing. The signs of impending convulsions and chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing order appers to be lamentably defective." Speaking of a new era He prophecises: "Soon, will the present order be rolled up and a new one spreadout in its stead." Since the ascension of Bahaullah in 1892, in the Holy Land, the rolling up of the old order has become the daily experience of mankind and no abatement of this process is discernible. The essence of Bahaullah's World Order is the unity of the human race. "O ye children of men," He writes, "the fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race..."And He warns, "The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established." The achievement of this unity is Bahaullah's declared mission and the aim of all Bahai activity. In the spirit of amity and informed discourse it would be appreciated if Mr Babakan can logicly respond as to which one of Bahaullah's teachings he considers "misguided". * Orphange Hi Amanda, I read your letter about the orphanage and I don't have any specific information, but wanted to tell you some general information. I am Iranian and lived in Iran until 1974. I have lived in the U.S. since that time, but have been back to Iran for visits. I am interested in adopting a child from Iran now, and am planning a trip in September to work on the adoption. I know that many of the children that are up for adoption in Iran are abandoned. The women who give birth to the children, who are put up for adoption, are doing so out of extreme economic hardship or out of shame. Children born out of marriage are really a problem in Iran and were so even before the Islamic Revolution. As you know family ties are very strong in Iran, and children are cherished and treasured. So, giving up a child, only happens under extreme conditions. The children in orphanages run by the Islamic government are treated very well compared to similar institutions in other countries at Iran's level of development. It may be hard for you to find your birth mother, but your identity issues may be solved by learning more about your culture. Iranians are the warmest, kindest people on earth and you would feel the warmth of family by just getting to know more about your people, the history and culture of Iran, in general. As for the void, many of us who live between two cultures and places we have called home, often feel a void. I call the United States my country and my home, but all the same I love Iran. There is always a void of some kind. When I am here in the states, I miss Iran for the people, the culture and the food. When I am in Iran, I miss the freedom and efficiency of my home, the United States.
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