It has nothing to do with being Persian!

We should look for values from any human being from any background

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It has nothing to do with being Persian!
by Kaveh Akbari
06-Dec-2009
 

I always hear.. “He is just another typical Persian guy. He tries so hard to be everything but him self”, or she is just “Another pretentious Persian girl, good by day, nasty by night”… We as young Iranians, as people from different cultural backgrounds, can be unconsciously incompetent in the area of moral identity.

The problem is: we distinguish, separate and/or confuse our values. Generally speaking we separate the parameters of social acceptance (of our current environment) from a perceived outline of what is expected from us ethnically, as Iranians.

The perceived division between moral standards creates the opportunity to rebel against one set of values or another… or a bit of both.

When as adolescents or young adults, we go astray, the usual internal or external presumption is that we are breaking free from ‘Cultural’ restrictions. However, in most of such cases, all we are doing is submitting to wider outlines of social and environmental acceptance. However, by doing so, we usually jeopardise something we can call 'upright behaviour', which is different to culture-bound values. We disregard good old self respect or positive stance. Things which are supported by fundemental order.

There is a misconception of and a false relation between cultural boundaries and dignified boundaries which comes from a failure to grasp values correctly.

Ethical values should be consistent with and related to natural principles rather being set according to what the society dictates. Further, values should not be taught as branches of a cultural tree. Otherwise, the moment a person rebels against their orthodox cultural boundaries, They also disregard necessary values with it. Parents play a big role in teaching these values correctly, but it is also our responsibility to learn and teach one another.

So basically, the problems many young adults (from different cultural backgrounds) face or are a witness to, like; excessive social or party bound life styles, drugs and alcohol, a loss of value for physical intimacy or an insistence on finding self worth through rebellion, material gain, affiliations or status, is actually a 'societal' issue. It is a lack of cultural integration which leads to a confused moral identity.

For some, this stands out in the shape of "typical Persian" etc because of certain cultural expectancies we place on one another. When in actual fact, it is a failure in principled awareness.

It has nothing to do with being Persian!

We should look for and expect those particular values from any human being across the scale, from any background, not just Persians.

We must draw the best out of both cultures through which we are defined and combine them.

In order to have a positive impact on one another, we should place the most emphasis on clarifying such day to day but important issues by educating our selves and passing positive points onto those around us.

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haley_g

    well written

by haley_g on

 

 

well written Kaveh =o)

This is what takes place not only with Iranians but within all cultures. As you mentioned, it is so easy to dissipate and replace certain values and beliefs that were embedded in our roots "growing up". It is so easy to stray off course and be influenced by society.

We must be grasp onto our belief systems that we have been accustomed to for so long and aspire to influence as many lives as we can to make a positive impact. But, in doing so, keep in mind that some people just dont want to be helped. 


varjavand

Cultural values

by varjavand on

It seems to me that we, Iranians, have a natural tendency to assimilate, and blend, quite easily into the dominant culture of this country and its prevalent values. That is because we don’t have certain visible signs that make us distinguishable. Our choice of values, however, depends very much on how we feel about our culture and its values instilled in us since childhood. In the absence of guidance and support, sometimes feelings of inferiority or tensions around issues such as “not fitting in” push immigrants, like Iranians, to choose to abandon their culture and its values and totally assimilate into the dominant culture. When a dominant culture is not open to diversity, discriminates, and harbors expectations that persons new to the culture must assimilate, this does not support the blending of values. Worse still, this demonstrates a total lack of respect for cultural and value differences. In my opinion, dominant cultures that subtly and not so subtly force assimilation are poorer as a result of doing so because they are denied the richness and vibrancy that diversity brings. I believe one of the indirect consequences of the past administration dogmatic ideology was an implicit message about superiority of Western culture, hence its values, and unilateral attack on others. I experienced an immense sense of pride when I saw the video clip of president Obama offering Iranians greeting message for the NoRooz occasion this past March.


aziz

Fresh point

by aziz on

Very good basic point is presented!


yolanda

.......

by yolanda on

 Here is my favorite lines from your article:


We must draw the best out of both cultures through which we are defined and combine them.

Great job!  Thank you!!!

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"


Kareem

Aha

by Kareem on

Ghorbooneh dahanet.

Ma ham yeh omre hamino migim!

 

www.Kareemslist.com