Sbolch
به زبان فارسی
PICTORY
LATEST MUSIC
SEARCH
Persian identity through the years
01-Jun-2008
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.
| Recently by Sbolch | Comments | Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Dark Side of Religion | 1 | Jan 05, 2011 |
| Political Stance Essay | 9 | Mar 29, 2010 |
| College Application Essay | 1 | Mar 17, 2010 |
RECENT COMMENTS
IRANIANS OF THE DAY
| Person | About | Day |
|---|---|---|
| نسرین ستوده: زندانی روز | Dec 04 | |
| Saeed Malekpour: Prisoner of the day | Lawyer says death sentence suspended | Dec 03 |
| Majid Tavakoli: Prisoner of the day | Iterview with mother | Dec 02 |
| احسان نراقی: جامعه شناس و نویسنده ۱۳۰۵-۱۳۹۱ | Dec 02 | |
| Nasrin Sotoudeh: Prisoner of the day | 46 days on hunger strike | Dec 01 |
| Nasrin Sotoudeh: Graffiti | In Barcelona | Nov 30 |
| گوهر عشقی: مادر ستار بهشتی | Nov 30 | |
| Abdollah Momeni: Prisoner of the day | Activist denied leave and family visits for 1.5 years | Nov 30 |
| محمد کلالی: یکی از حمله کنندگان به سفارت ایران در برلین | Nov 29 | |
| Habibollah Golparipour: Prisoner of the day | Kurdish Activist on Death Row | Nov 28 |
na azizam
by Monda on Sat Nov 28, 2009 05:11 PM PSTjust a tiny clarification:
your maman moved to the US when she was 21 - before your Grandpa had a clue about the regime change or the consequence of her not being able to going to home for 8 very long years.
Thanks for the interest, here's a response:
by Sbolch on Mon Jun 02, 2008 08:23 PM PDTAnonymouse: My mom moved during the regime change
Sima: I can completely understand what you're experiencing with your own son, it sounds like what I did. I stopped speaking Farsi at that point, then regretted it. I'd say just keep on trying, still expose your son and maybe show him an occasional movie or something to grab his attention that relates to Persian culture. Try speaking Farsi and teaching him a couple words. It's not about making up for the time that he wasn't into the culture, but encouraging him to explore within his own interests.
Which "regime"?
by Anonymouse on Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:54 AM PDTYou mention that your mother came here during "the regime"? Which regime? we have 2 of them. The Shah's regime or the Islamic regime?
Dear Sbolch
by Anonymously (not verified) on Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:26 AM PDTBe proud of your Persian heritage and try to read some history book about ancient Iran (known as Persia) and know the glorious past (pre-Islam)of this wonderful country in order to be able to explain to others why you are proud to be a Persian.
more please...!
by sima on Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:23 AM PDTI totally agree that we'd like to hear more. Your intelligence and awareness hint at the fact that you probably have some very interesting things to say!
Those of us who are parents to hybrid kids especially LOVE to hear your side of things. My 8-year old who refused to speak Farsi once he went to preschool now blames me for having stopped talking to him in Persian. When I say it's not too late and we can start again, he refuses again! Do you think parents ought to insist on Iranian things with resistant kids or lay off?
And heck, why not throw Italian into the mix. You're so lucky to have that side too!
to Curious Joe:
by Sbolch on Mon Jun 02, 2008 07:57 AM PDTThank you for that advice, it was great hearing it from someone else, as I was already considering it. I have been thinking of(and plan on) taking a year off college in the US to attend the art school in Florence, next to my Italian grandmother's house.
And yes! Italy has a negative population growth, I've been really into studying population recently, and have noticed that unlike our rapid increase, they are going in a different direction.
And just for the record, I am the girl being lifted in my icon. I don't plan on settling down with a lady, but I take no offense, I did not consider what responses I would receive with that picture.
A Piece of Advice
by Curious Joe on Mon Jun 02, 2008 03:39 AM PDTDear Sbolch:
Based on your writing, you are obviously fluent in English language, the teenage American culture and, also recently, acquisition of some Farsi and Persian culture.
If I were you, I'd continue what you are doing, but take a year of high school in Italy. Ask your school for student exchange information on Italy. Since your dad is from Tuscany, you should be able to take one year of your high school in the American-Italian International School in Florence. Your dad can easily get the details.Here are several reasons why I am giving you this advice:1- You are still young enough when you can pick up Italian language in a relatively short time.2- You may find the charm and beauty of Italy (especially the Tuscany area) so irresistible that you may even decide to go to university there. And for that, you need fluency in Italian language. You may even get your European passport (via your dad) before you reach 21. 3- Assuming you live for a 100 years, I assure you that you will choose to live in Italy in year 2100 rather than living in Iran or in the US. If you do not believe me, ask Gore Vidal (search Google for details).4- Italy has the lowest population growth in the world. In fact, the birth rate in Italy is half its death rate. With your intelligence, I hope you and your future Italian lady bring some nice babies into this world. The Iranian (and US) birth rates are already too high. We need more Italians!!
Welcome khanoom!
by mahasti (not verified) on Sun Jun 01, 2008 11:12 PM PDTThank you for your introduction. Now we'd like to hear more about your growing up half Persian.