Naturalized Arrogant Citizens!

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Naturalized Arrogant Citizens!
by Esfand Aashena
06-Apr-2011
 

I was reading COP's blog which by the way is a very good and informative blog and he has written it in a way that we can really compare some of the differences between Saudi Arabia and Iran.  In one comment the discussion went towards Haj and if he's going to do it!  Everybody is doing it!  He mentioned that he is not a believer and a "self-proclaimed" non-Muslim.  I don't think that's make any real difference!

It reminded me of a blog I had written for persianmirror.com and thought to post it here again. I do not mean to insinuate this blog is meant for COP, it isn't.  With so much discussion about anti-Arab rhetoric which by the way just fans the flames of basically the differences between Shiites and Sunnis or Iranians and Arabs it is worthwhile to consider you may end up having to drink your own sweat some day!

You say all the racist things about Arabs but when confronted you say who? when? where? not me! you got me wrong! Or you dig in and say yep I hate Arabs.  Well it doesn't matter what you think, in today's world you are an Iranian and a Muslim until death do you part!  What goes around comes around so be careful what you wish for!

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Arrogance is not a US naturalization requirement.  I know after you become a US citizen some of your American friends and coworkers say that they expect to see more arrogance and attitude from you, but that is really a joke.  You know that right? 

It is really annoying to see this kind of attitude from some of our beloved Iranian-Americans.  Not just us, when I see another hyphenated American with heavy accent get on TV and express his/her expert opinion on say economy, it is really something when you hear them say; well ______ (his/her country, fill in the blank) is now ahead of “us” in economy in many respects.  What we need to do is address _______ (his/her country) role in world economy head on, take the “cow” by the horn “sort of speaking” and don’t allow “them” to ignore “us”. Again imagine seeing that in a heavy accent.  Isn’t that annoying?!

The other day I had to again participate in another divorce ceremony where the couple had to use the services of an “Agha” who is an Iranian mullah (most likely an Iranian-American mullah :-), usually in suit and approved by the Iranian Govt to perform religious ceremonies such as aghds, weddings or divorces.

I’ve become an expert witness in these things and am starting to think about charging people for it.  You know in these religious ceremonies a minimum of 2 men are required and a man is worth 2 women.  Many of our men either don’t care for these traditions or find it beneath them and think they are too “civilized” to do it and ridicule those who do. Our women don’t want to sign their name as half a man either and who can blame them?  So yours truly comes to the rescue and gladly sign my name without hesitation.  After all it is the couple’s business not mine, I’m only there to help a friend.

Now back to our story.  I was in this Agha’s living room with the blessed divorcees and the ex-husband’s brother as the witness.  Everything was going well and we were having tea and cookies and waiting our turns to sign these documents which everyone clearly examines as if they are Iran’s response to the 5 + 1 nuclear incentive package.  I put up a show of interest but of course I really don’t give a hoot! I even asked Agha about a “clarification” to show everyone how concerned I am and how a simple mistake could cost people their future.  Of course there is no mistake and the Agha explains the issue to me while I finish my 2nd cup of tea.

The ex-husband’s brother and I sign our names as witnesses and then it was the ex-husband’s turn to sign who by the way has another wedding coming up which was a topic of a side discussion with the Agha and if he could get a discount now that he was doing his divorce with him too.

Suddenly he rolled his eyes and asked Agha about the part where he was supposed to claim his country of citizenship.  Agha told him that he had to say Iran which made the man suddenly jump up his seat and claim he is no longer an Iranian citizen since he became a US citizen and wants to put USA as his country of citizenship.  Are you freaking kidding me?!

Agha told him that the divorce will not be valid because only the Iranian Parliament can strip his Iranian citizenship via a ‘vote’ and in order for that to happen he needs to complete an application and send it to Iranian Parliament for action and that could take years and they probably won’t approve it anyway.  The guy deflated and promptly complied and said ok if that is the case he’ll sign it, as if he was looking for a justification and the excuse was good enough.

I see this kind of arrogance over and over again from all races and backgrounds.  I mentioned this story since we are Iranians but it is really not a positive.  It is sad to think you need to worsen your image and consider it an improvement.  Stay cool and true to your heritage.  You’ll look and sound better.

Update: adding a link to a story in New York where an Asian-American woman was sentenced to indefinite jury duty for making racist remarks, including her own heritage.

 

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more from Esfand Aashena
 
Anahid Hojjati

Esfand jan, can you please clarify what you mean?

by Anahid Hojjati on Wed Apr 06, 2011 11:11 AM PDT

In your comment addressed to me, you had the following paragraph:"Iranians and actually people all over the world are ready to embrace separation of religion and state but they will not reject religion.  In fact if they don't embrace religion strongly enough they'll lose their political aspirations as we all know it so well right here in America. " Can you please clarify what you mean in the statements that I underlined. I am not sure that I understand what you mean.

Otherwise. about the woman who is going to be jury for a long time, thanks for finding the information. very interesting.


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Esfand Aashena

Woman sentenced 2 indefinite jury duty 4 making racist remarks!

by Esfand Aashena on Wed Apr 06, 2011 11:05 AM PDT

Here's a perfect example just today on how the arrogance of a hyphenated American has played out!  Good for her!

the woman enraged a Federal Court judge in New York by answering the question, 'Name three people you least admire', with the answer: 'African-Americans, Hispanics and Haitians.'

Referring to her racist answers, Judge Garaufis sarcastically asked the juror: 'Why didn't you put Asians down also?'

The woman replied: 'Maybe I should have.'

Jurors in America have been known to try to escape jury duty by providing outlandish answers to jury questionnaires.

But the Asian woman's views evidently backfired, as she has since been told she will serve on the jury until the judge deems her ready for release.

Everything is sacred


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Esfand Aashena

Farrokh changing your religion or becoming non-religious.

by Esfand Aashena on Wed Apr 06, 2011 10:52 AM PDT

I agree with most of your points in your comment.  I also do not consider myself religious but don't particularly "tear my collar" to become anti-religion!  Religion is a big part of this world and a much bigger part in Iran.

I think you're born into your parent's religion.  This stuff about changing your religion or becoming anti-religion or anti-Islam is for those who have too much time on their hand and think they've found a "solution"!  What solution?!  The solution to everyone's life is a solution to his/her own life not the solution for others!

Solution for others is reached as a whole.  As a whole and as an Iranian nation we reach solutions and it takes much longer than finding a solution for an individual.  

Everything is sacred


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Esfand Aashena

COP jaan "true" heritage is not a myth!

by Esfand Aashena on Wed Apr 06, 2011 10:46 AM PDT

I believe our true heritage is evolving.  We are not at stand still and if we don't get to see true changes in our life time these 30 - 50 years will just be a snap shot of our history and "true" heritage.  Pahlavis lasted 50 years and that's long enough and also short enough to take stocks in various issues.  You can't explain Islamic Republic in a vacuum!

As I said in your own blog the title of this blog was chosen before and not today and not in response to your comment.

Anyway, I just don't see any progress in becoming anti-Islam.  Just say you're not religious and leave it at that.  But of course you can do whatever you like.

Everything is sacred


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Esfand Aashena

Anahid jaan it's just the perception.

by Esfand Aashena on Wed Apr 06, 2011 10:41 AM PDT

I'm not criticizing COP for not going through Haj!  Yes we all have horrible memories of Islam and what has happened in the last 30 years but we're not going to resolve anything by thinking religion is going anywhere anytime soon, in particular Iran.

Iranians and actually people all over the world are ready to embrace separation of religion and state but they will not reject religion.  In fact if they don't embrace religion strongly enough they'll lose their political aspirations as we all know it so well right here in America.

The intention of this blog is to point out how foolish we look when we try to get ahead of ourselves and bash an entire religion.  There are examples of TV pundits as I mentioned.

Everything is sacred


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farokh2000

Why get mixed up?

by farokh2000 on Wed Apr 06, 2011 10:40 AM PDT

Dear Esfand;

I hope you realize Religion is a belief and not a Race, right?

You are not born Muslim, or Christian, etc., even though your parents are something like Muslim or Jewish or whatever.

Humans can think and that is what makes them different from other animals.

When someone is born in a religious family, it does not necessarily mean he/she would have to be religious.

Please don't blame it on arrogance when YOU are expecting someone to be religious but they are not.

I persoanlly have never followed any religions all my life, even though I was born in Iran and lived there for 20 years of my life.

I do however, respect people who follow a religion becasue they think it makes them a better person.

Unfortunately, that is not true in a lot of cases.

Thanks for understanding.


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Cost-of-Progress

Esafnd read my reply in

by Cost-of-Progress on Wed Apr 06, 2011 10:09 AM PDT

 //iranian.com/main/blog/cost-progress/norooz-arabestan

I understand your point here, but if you are referring to me and my stance, you are way way off. I consider myself an Iranian, as it is known by all my friends and co-workers and take pride in whatever is left of my TRUE hertiarge, but I have never believed in or practiced Islam. And never will.

Cheers,

CoP

____________

IRAN FIRST

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Anahid Hojjati

Esfand jan, this blog is great

by Anahid Hojjati on Wed Apr 06, 2011 09:05 AM PDT

However, I don't get your point that once one is Muslim, they are always Muslim or the reason you are finding fault with COP about not going to Medina. Fact of the matter is many of us have horrible memories of what has been done in the name of Islam to our loved ones and to our country. So even though we are from Muslim families, but you can not expect us to act like we  are 12 year olds living in mid 1970s still having some friendly notion of Islam.


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Maryam Hojjat

great issues

by Maryam Hojjat on Wed Apr 06, 2011 09:00 AM PDT

in your article.  Thanks


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