POETRY

شاد باشید:

I find it difficult to close this thread. There is a nagging cry lingering inside: Much has been left unsaid. Yet again, there is always the next time…

Dear Souri:

Thank you for your understanding. Yes, I do agree: Jamshid summarizes the issue masterfully. The cultural conquest of Persia is at the heart of our problem. How we recover from that domination will determine the future of our nation.

Looking at my own family tree, I can share with you that there is nothing “pure” about my bloodline. Consequently, the label of racism is hard for me to swallow.

I do, however, cherish the Persian culture and long for the day that it will become our way of life once again.

I have a story kind of related to this; culture of Arab

Even after the explanation by Jamshid, I still don't like the way poem refers to "Arab" but I get what "Jamshid" and "Souri" write.  I would not write the way Laleh wrote but now I see her position .  I also have a stry to tell.  It must have been spring of 1358. I was in 2nd Nazari grade (10th).  My high school was still coed.  I wrote an essay titled "Arabzadegi".  Everyone loved it, they clapped, I got a 20.  Teacher loved it.  But a classmate of mine was looking at me "chap chap" as he was clapping.  He was religious and he felt insulted.  Hi sname was "Farhad Khorramshai".  Later he became Mojahed and was executed when he was less than 20 years old.

dears Anahid/Laleh

In this special context (and only in this context) I agree with what Jamshid said :

" Race is not the issue when someone talks about the "Arab seed". 
"Culture" is the issue. When 30 years ago, people complained
about westernization of our culture, they were not anti-anglo racists!
They were talking about the subjugation of our culture, not race."

Laleh jan, thanks for this beautiful poem.

More power to your pen and more courage to your heart.

Every voice counts! Every action counts!

Re: Racist labeling is getting old

Unfortunately, the "race" card has been so much used againt people who are tired of the cultural (note: not racial) subjugation of their country that it has lost its effectiveness.

Ms. Anahid: NO! Race is not the issue when someone talks about the "Arab seed".  "Culture" is the issue. When 30 years ago, people complained about westernization of our culture, they were not anti-anglo racists! They were talking about the subjugation of our culture, not race.

The same is true today with the regime's subjugation of the Iranian culture in favor of an imposed Arabic version. so please, like any other peotry, look at the intended meaning, not just the brute words.

Laleh: This was a beautiful and heart felt poem.

The Struggle

Anahid Hojjati wrote: “In your poem, in one sentence you condemn inequality between men and women and in another sentence, you use racist language.”

I did struggle with that phrase for the exact reason that provokes you. I couldn’t help but be tempted by the thought of such provocation.

There were other variations that I considered. Some of the choices available were even more fitting and powerful. However, I settled for this final version for only one reason:

The inequality of the sexes in our country stems from Islam (an Arab ideology) and mullahs (the descendants of Arab invaders.) Hence, in good conscience, I couldn’t and will not impose self censorship on my writings. I do respect your moral high ground though.

Haleh Jan

such a meaningful Poem from you.

a true poet is not racist

you wrote:"..Poetry that is confined to rules and regulations is artificial and useless. It doesn’t touch the human soul…"

Is it too much to expect a poet to be a true human not a racist?I don't think so.  If as a poet, I write racist poetry, I will only tickle (I won't even call it toucing the human soul) a racist.  I rather not do that.  If not being racist in my poetry is arificial and useless, I gladly take these labels. In your poem, in one sentence you condemn inequlality between men and women and in anothr sentence, you use racist language. If it were not so sad, it would be quite funny.

Racism in Poetry

Anahid Hojjati wrote: “I don’t appreciate racism in poetry where you write…”

The world of poetry encompasses all and every element of life. Yes, racism included.

Whether we choose to reflect it in our poems or not is entirely up to each one of us. Poetry that is confined to rules and regulations is artificial and useless. It doesn’t touch the human soul…

Thirty years of Islamic oppression has driven a large number of our people away from mullahs and the religion they preach. The Arab dominated ideology of Islam is at the heart of our problems.

Reflect it, I shall. Deny it, you may…

We should say no to racism in poetry and prose

Laleh Khanoom, there are positive aspects to your poem but as another poet, I don't appreciate racism in poetry where you write:

تو به من میگویی
طفل صغیر مال پدر است، ملا.
من به تو میگویم
بذر تو از عرب است، ملا.

مسعود عزیز:

لطف دارید. تشکر میکنم. دلم برای وبلاگ های شما تنگ شده. زحمت بکشید و برای دوستان چند خطی بنویسید. با آرزوی آزادی وطن...

لاله عزیز

بسیار لطیف، بسیار شیرین، و بسیار قشنگ - راستش، هم کلی کیف کردم از خواندن ان، و هم قدری خندیدم از طرزی که این ادمهای پفیوز را تشریح کرده بودی ... قربانت!