My War with the Americans

As a result of my personal experiences, I have become completely guarded against most Americans


Balatarin
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My War with the Americans
28-May-2008
 

This begins with a personal story. For eight years now, I have been at war with a few lunatic Americans currently residing in Colorado, California, New Mexico and Kansas, who have been responsible for several years of harassment, slander, libel, stalking, interference with employment and other felonies. These individuals have all received legal warnings and orders per their ongoing activities but as my lawyers have claimed, when dealing with people who are mentally ill, deluded and incapable of understanding what the law means, you can expect them to continue their illegal activities until they land in jail or have every penny they have taken away from them.

Racism is rampant in the U.S., despite the fact that this country claims vehemently that it’s a melting pot. My above-mentioned enemies are a bunch of white Americans of either Protestant or Catholic backgrounds, and it’s unlikely that they would continue their defamation, harassment, stalking and so on if they were dealing with a born-and-bred American instead of an Iranian Muslim.

After 9/11, there was a tremendous backlash against Arab-Americans and other ethnic minorities of Middle Eastern descent. One could argue that given the tragedy of what happened and the atrocious actions of Al Qaeda, it’s only natural that Americans would feel resentment. The same racism was displayed to average Iranians living or studying in the US during the Hostage Crisis, even though the majority of these individuals were vehemently opposed to the Islamic Republic and its actions toward the US embassy officials in Tehran.

Having worked as a writer, editor, researcher and online producer for a number of news organizations in the US, I have been astonished that I have worked with so few minorities. During 20 years of employment, I have worked with only six African-Americans, two Asians, and three Indians. The significance of this fact is that the majority of top executives and editors who control the news are still white Americans.

As a result of my personal experiences, I have become completely guarded against most Americans. I find a majority of them to be liars, malicious, narrow-minded, disrespectful, rude and unaware of the cultures and traditions of other nations and religions. Although I have some solid and stable American friends who are trustworthy, decent people, most of my social circle consists of foreigners.

Before we jump to conclusions, it’s important to say that I have also worked with some American colleagues and bosses, who are kind, intelligent, worldly people who truly command respect. One can never generalize, but given what the world is today, it’s important to remain cautious and to see the majority of average Americans for what they are.

Many would argue that as Iranians who live in the US, we should be grateful for the generosity America has bestowed upon us. I am not arguing that America—the so-called great melting pot—has also allowed revolution-struck Iranians to find shelter here, but when push comes to shove, are most of us still considered “foreigners” or Iranian-Americans?

I have spoken to several Iranians and other foreigners who reside in the US, and the answer is generally the same: I am considered American as long as I don’t oppose the US government or criticize Americans. Therefore, given this sentiment, we can assume that there are conditions placed on being accepted as an American. As the great Albert Einstein once said: “Should my theory of relativity should prove correct, Germany will claim me a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.”

The older I get, the more “Iranian” I become, interestingly enough. I have an affinity for my culture, language and traditions and also those of Europe, where I was raised as a child. I date Iranian or other Middle Eastern or European men; most of my trusted friends are foreign; and I have lately become more involved with Iranian cultural organizations.

Perhaps another study twenty years from now of Iranian children born and bred in the US will provide a different result. But for now, most of us who weren’t born here, still consider ourselves Iranians and have on occasion battled racism to some degree or another, as have other ethnic minorities in the US.

As for my own personal war with these Americans in Colorado, California, New Mexico and Kansas, if the law doesn’t destroy them, then vengeance will. We are, after all, the people who have always believed “an eye for an eye….”


Balatarin
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Be More specific!

by Concerned Iranian (not verified) on Wed May 28, 2008 07:41 PM PDT

Tara isobviously very upset because of the treatment she has received. But it has NOTHING to do with these people being American. I have dealt with countless Americans, and as in any culture, there are good and bad characters here as well. It is quite immature,naive, and unhealthy to generalize about a people the way Tara does. She needs to stir clear of these bad characters and find a new life for herself.


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Asghar Taragheh

ONE MORE THING!

by Asghar Taragheh on Wed May 28, 2008 05:42 PM PDT

AMERICANS ARE 1000 times better than IRANIANS! LOOK AT OUR SUCCESSFULL SOCIETY IN IRI! JUST GREAT HOW WE TREAT OUR OWN ARABS, AFGHANS, KURDS, BAHAIS, ZAROSTERIANS, JEWS.......AND OUR OWN ENTIRE POPULATION BACK AT HOME!!!!!


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Asghar Taragheh

I CAN NOT RELATE TO ANYTHING YOU SAY

by Asghar Taragheh on Wed May 28, 2008 05:39 PM PDT

I have been here since I was 11 (1981). I have seen it all. And I have experienced many of the things that you have experienced. However, Americans are no different than any other population. There are racist, homophobes, religious radicals, criminals....... However, Americans are 1000 times better than Europeans, Arabs, Canadians and Asians.

As an example, look at the Arab population in Europe/France. You would think that ther 2nd and 3rd generation would do much better than their parents in a European country (this is true for all of Europe). Compare that to the Arab population in America. Compare it to all migrant populations in America. The 2nd and 3rd generations here do 100% better. In Europe the 2nd & 3rd generation is worse off! Here, the 2nd & 3rd generations are accepted into society, politics and business and are no different from other "Americans". When you see the history of Irish, Italians, Jews, Polish..... they all went through what we all go through but they all have made it!

For heavens sake, look how Iranians are succefull in this country and they are only first generation: Google, Ebay, Qualcoom, Dr. Khatami, the Ghermezians (mall of America), the Iranian dude from NASA (FIROUZE NADERI), Anoushe Ansari, Amanpour, Ms. Bakhtiar, Bratz (Issac Larian), Farhad Rostampour , Bijan, Shohreh Aghdashloo..............

PLEASE GO AND SEE THE LINK BELOW:

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_American

Sounds to me like you are looking for a scapegoat for your failure to scuceede in this country my dear. You have not figured out the system here and its benefits so you must blame the AMERICANS. These evil Americans!

Before it was Kareh Engelishah. Now its Kareh Sahyonisthah or Amrica. We Iranians are so typical. Its either the fault of the Zionists or the Americans. Stop making excuses and move on. Work hard, don't give up and you will make it here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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what Tara is talking about

by maz (not verified) on Wed May 28, 2008 05:33 PM PDT

what Tara is talking about is a fact, a sad fact. what is the solution?
for sure not by being invisible, which is the norm, but by being involved.
You may not be able to change the others attitude directly, but indirectly by being a good example.
be proud of who you are and do good job.
all depend on us. we should blame ourself first. one million "who?"!!!

maziar


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Michael Mahyar Hojjatie

I can relate in many ways.

by Michael Mahyar Hojjatie on Wed May 28, 2008 05:11 PM PDT

Other than having been born in America and being secular (I always say I am cultural but not religious), I know much of what Tara is saying. They are extremely hostile to whatever doesn't look/think/act like them, any one or any combination of the three. I will never understand why this society is so adamant against being hostile to someone for their exterior (skin color), yet permits and even encourages it for their interior (political beliefs, religion, etc.). Why not all or nothing? Why pick and choose and brainwash based on current vibes? Then agains, it is the biggest system of double standards you could ever fathom! As far as when being Iranian is attakced or slandered, you obviously want to stand your ground and be assertive, never taking it to the extreme of say, starting a fistfight, but definitely putting them in their place with as much calm demeanor and as little effort as possible.

My favorite is when people say Iran and Iraq are "the same thing". I always ask "then why, smart person, would they kill each other for eight years within our own lifetimes?". Somebody actually once copped out with "um, um, um, because they're stupid!".

Yeah, great people, let me tell ya! Fortunately there are many that actually have a clue, but that typically means that they are educated and let's face it, those number will decline even more rapidly with time!


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LanceRaheem

Know What You Mean

by LanceRaheem on Wed May 28, 2008 04:27 PM PDT

Unlike you I wasn't born in Iran.  I was born here, but still I know what you mean about Americans and Iranians waging war against each other.  You see, my father is American and my mother is Iranian.  They have been waging war on one another all my life, and long before I was born.   The thing is they don't call it war....they call it marriage.  As far as I can tell the only difference between the two (war and marriage) is just the name.  Hang in there...I can tell you that there are a lot of good Americans if you just look for them.  Remember...many of them are just as leary of you as you are of them.  You can't judge a book by its cover.  You've got to take individuals one person at a time. 

A biological Iranian-American's two cents worth.


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Kaveh Nouraee

Manesh

by Kaveh Nouraee on Wed May 28, 2008 03:00 PM PDT

I don't see Tara's post as harsh or disparaging. It is frank and honest, which is what we need more of.

My own experiences have led me to the conclusion that I'll never be American enough in the eyes of some blond haired blue eyed WASP, someone whose bloodlines are more likely to be mixed with everything like some sort of stew. I will only be a "conditional" or "provisional" American, like a 16 year old who gets their first driver's license.

Kind and intelligent in this country has unfortunately become the exception in the U.S. rather than the norm. It's a result of a decades long decay in personal values and personal accountability in this society. Racism and mistrust of strangers will undoubtedly stand out more prominently in Iran, as the society is much more homogenized, especially when compared to the U.S. Smaller doses, as you put it, is because of the smaller population. Just imagine the attitudes in China.

There are many good Americans, yes. But too many? Hardly. I see this more as disparaging a group of people who call themselves Americans, not America itself.


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Salam Tara...

by PedramMoallemian on Wed May 28, 2008 02:36 PM PDT

Thank you for your frankness in expressing your feelings. I suspect it was not an easy experience to do so and can further predict that although many others will also relate to how you feel, they will choose to not express it directly and in here. While I wish you strenght, I also wish more good people of all backgrounds and ethnicities to cross your path in the future.


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Tara

by Dariush (not verified) on Wed May 28, 2008 02:35 PM PDT

The old saying of innocent until proven guilty doesn't work with Americans. It is safer to consider them guilty until, it is proven innocent.


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manesh

You are being way too harsh ...

by manesh on Wed May 28, 2008 02:11 PM PDT

especially when you generalize about Americans.  For sure, I also have ongoing issues with racism in the US, but I consider the ignorant and unkind the exception in America.  You, on the other hand, consider the kind and intelligent the exception.

My dear, racism and mistrust of strangers is a human affliction found  everywhere.  I happen to think it is found in smaller doses in America than anywhere else, including my beloved Iran.

There are just too many good Americans who are working for harmony for us to disparage America.


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