THE IRANIAN AMERICANS, a new series produced by PBS,
premiers December 18th in the
United States. It chronicles history of Iranian immigrants overcoming adversity
and ultimately creating new lives in America.
Iranians had been immigrating to America in small numbers for decades, primarily for education, but 1979 Islamic Revolution saw massive migration. THE IRANIAN AMERICANS is an emotional account of displacement told by more than 25 Iranians who were uprooted from their home and heritage and built completely new lives in the U.S. They include Maz Jobrani, the actor/comedian; Goli Ameri, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State; and Firouz Naderi, director of solar system exploration at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
8 comments:
In the last US census, the number of Iranians or people of Iranian/Persian ancestory was about 470,000 (half Jewish and Bahais), mostly living in California and the tri-state area. Iranians in general are well assimilated and doing quite relatively well in the diminishing US economy. They have faced mass discrimination since 1979 and despite all impediments have thrived. The numbers are not large, the usual exaggerations notwithstanding. In any case, it is a good reflection on Iranian ingenuity, industrious nature and survival talent.
Growing up in the 1960's and 70's, there were but a handful of my dad's people here in northern California-- as in three that we knew! But then after '79, there was a flood. Have to say, the newcomers were quite culturally awkward when they arrived, as we must have seemed when living for a year in Tehran in 1975. The next two generation here in northern California have it a lot easier than the first wave. But I still run into the older elements of the first wave here at the local library. Most still aren't fluent in English. I am kind as I can be to these old folks, in an attempt to make them as comfortable as possible while they read the Iran daily newspaper in Persian.
Pity that some IranianAmericans still risk imorisonment as spies every time they set foot in Iran.
I wish the situation was different so that we can visit freely and spend a few dollars in the old country in the process.
Jabbar, every time Professor Sahimi of UCLA renters the US from anywhere, he's locked up and questioned on his travels. You should try it some time. Travel to Egypt, Jordan or Iraq and see how you're greeted at the airport upon your return!
@anon 1:51
Sadly, what you describe is a side effect of being of Iranian heritage at a time when Iran doesn't have a good standing in the world.
My personal experience has been that I feel much safer in US airports than I do anywhere in the Middle East. You may get questioned here but you won't disappear or be tried as a spy without a lawyer.
ANYWHERE?
JF! ' YOU DONT FEEL SAFE anywhere in the middle east' includung ISRAEL?
I haven't traveled to Israel or Palestine yet but it's on my bucket list. I would feel more secure in tel aviv (with my embassy knowing my wareabouts) than I would in Gaza though.
Sounds very interesting, I hope I have time to watch. Most Iranians have only been in the States for a relatively short time, but they are already becoming very prominent and successful. We might even have an Iranian-American president in the future!
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