As young Iranian Americans, we will be the ones responsible for propagating Iranian culture in the United States. Who are we in this new generation, what will we preserve, and what might we leave behind?
"Gaining Ground" is an attempt to answer these questions. A space in which we - and YOU - will join to share our discoveries of what it means to be Iranian in the United States today, what it means to be Iranian in general, and how we can promote our newfound identities in our adopted homes. Please read "About 'Gaining Ground'" for more information!
Links
Asian Arts Initiative
Located in Philadelphia’s Chinatown Neighborhood, the non-profit organization, Asian Arts Initiative, fights hard to build community and promote art among Asian Americans and persons of color.
Bia 2
Eclectic site for music and entertainment, serving the Iranian diaspora.
Camp Ayandeh/Iranian Alliances Across Borders
Camp Ayandeh is a youth leadership camp for Iranian American high schoolers held annually throughout the nation. Admirable community building initiative.
Iranian.Com
Updates about Iranian current events and happenings.
The Flip Camera
Site for learning about and ordering the handy new Flip Camera!
Watch videos at Vodpod and other videos from this collection.
Wow well this site pretty much covers it. Everything I’ve read thus far on this site, and I’ve already read a lot, has happened to me! If you are Iranian American, I encourage you to post!
Examples:
When my dad says we have burritos for dinner it really mean aab khoost wrapped in noon lavaash. MLIP
today, i realized my TA is Persian when I arrived 20 mins late to class and he wasnt there yet. MLIP
Today, I changed my default picture on facebook to a casual one of me and my best male friend. Within the hour, I received a message from my dad on facebook saying “what is this beetarbyat picture?” MLIP (beetarbyat is the term parents use to refer to children who have gone astray, have lost all moral code, and are on the verge of being disowned by the family)
Today, I asked my parents when I can date. They said after I get married. MLIP.
Today, my mom bought shoes at Ross and told all her friends she got them from Nordstrom. MLIP
Today i told my parents i want to be a doctor… my mom started to cry tears of joy. MLIP (next time, MLIP, you should try telling them that you want to become a filmmaker. They will cry – different tears, of course, but cry nonetheless!)
Though I do wonder sometimes why he takes on some of the acting roles he does. I’ve seen him portray violent or cartoonish figures and wonder what he thinks about it: does he feel like he is perpetuating certain stereotypes of Iranians or does he feel like he is trying to debunk them? Anyway this video is funny
This guy is just amazing. And he keeps coming out with heartbreaking songs that are accompanied by inventive and fascinating videos. Really talented and dedicated to his craft. Again, I want at some point to do with my own video work what he does with his music. Here’s the new video:
Quick video to introduce an amazing project intended to bridge cultural understanding of the Middle East through media literacy education. Leave a comment if you have any questions!
This video is so cool! And is a great example of the aesthetic I want in our doc – kind of classic, kind of “Amelie”esque, hearkening to traditional Persian aesthetics but also bringing in this whole indie feel with rich colors and cartoon-esque characterizations. Something like Wes Anderson meets the Daughter of Lor…
