157 May- June 2015 Vol. XXV No. 157 • The Question of Identity • Advantage or Double-Edged Sword? • Raising a Bilingual Child • The Persianate World in 5 Works • Masterpieces on View in the Persian Art Gallery • Waiting on Iran’s Next Chapter • Skin Cancer • Fun facts about the eyes! No. 157 May - June 2015 1 157 By: Shahri Estakhry Since 1991 Persian Cultural Center’s Bilingual Magazine The Question of Identity Is a bi - monthly publication organized for literary, cultural and information purposes Financial support is provided by the City of First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who take the time to read San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. this editorial and discuss it with me. I value your opinion and enjoy being involved in knowing your thoughts on the subject matter. Your comments are great lessons for me and I learn from Persian Cultural Center each one. 6790 Top Gun St. #7, San Diego, CA 92121 Tel (858) 552-9355 Fax & Message: (619) 374-7335 I seriously debated writing about the new resolution taking place between the U.S. and Iran. Email: [email protected] However, at the moment, it is several folds of wishful thinking. My biggest hope is if, and Web site: www.pccus.org www.pccsd.org when, the negotiations are truly resolved, the actual beneficiaries will be the people. The turn- around in Iran’s economy could mean greater possibilities for the people if given the chance. No. 157/ May - June 2015 Education and poverty are at the top of my list as priorities to be resolved. Time will tell who Vol. XXV shall benefit! Circulation: 6000 Persian Cultural Center For now, I want to touch upon The Question of Identity. We have gotten used to calling ourselves A non - profit national corporation Established in 1989. San Diego, California Iranian-Americans, and so have all other nationalities by way of introducing themselves and their cultural heritage. For those of us who were born in another country and immigrated to the Board of Directors: United States, it is a great way of introducing ourselves. However, now that we have reached Afshin Asgharian Nahavandi, the point that we have almost two generations born in the United States, such introductions Anahita Babaei, Fariba Babakhani- Ghazi, no longer hold true. Wouldn’t it be more correct for those in the second and third generations Bahar Bagherpour, Lisa Hildreth, Gity Nematollahi, Negar Nekouei, to say American-Iranian? I think the first country listed should be one’s birth nation and the Hamid Rafizadeh, second reference to one’s heritage. Farideh Rasouli-Fazel, Abdy Salimi and Golsa Soraya Within my own community I have often heard the children say “No, I’m American,” and rightly so, for this is where they were born. Yet, we insist on making them unhappy by wanting them Editorial Board to repeat again and again their identity in a manner that is not comfortable for them. I had a Shahri Estakhry, Anahita Babaei conversation on this subject with a grandfather insisting that his grandchildren were Iranians Aria Fani, Behnam Heydari, and should be very proud of their heritage. My argument was that if he was willing to recognize Lisa Hildreth, Saeid Noori Bushehri that they were born here and that this was their homeland, it would become much easier to teach Shahrzad Julazadeh, Shaghayegh Hanson, Reza Khabazian and Rachel Tait them all of the wonderful aspects of their Iranian heritage, and they would welcome it. I’m not sure if I got through, but I have seen this concept work time and again. Editor–In–Chief: Ali Sadr Often, when I meet someone introducing himself or herself as “African-American,” I’m puzzled Graphic Artist: Saeed Jalali as to which country in Africa they are referring? There are 55 nation-states on the continent of Africa that are recognized by the United Nations. I, for one, would greatly appreciate those who Peyk reserves the right to edit all materials introduce themselves as African-American to clarify the nation of their heritage—it would be a at its sole discretion. Materials submitted history lesson, something to bind us together with knowledge. Identity should not be based on will not be rturned to sender, even if not used, and the contributor will be deemed religion or color of skin, but by pinpointing the location where one was born or one’s heritage. to have given consent and license for Such a view of identity opens the door to those who don’t know the location of our birth to learn the reproduction and publication of such more about it. More importantly, it will teach our youth to learn more about their own heritage submission in Peyk magazine and / or the and take real pride in it. Peyk website I propose that we begin to teach our children who were born here to be proud to call themselves PCC Foundation American-Iranians. Also, we must teach them the reasons why they must hold their heads Charitable Organization Affiliate of Persian Cultural Center up high and never regret the heritage they have inherited. Identity should be, for those we Tel (858) 552-9355 encounter, a prelude to better understanding in the interconnectedness of our global family. Fax & Message: ( 619) 374 - 7335 No. 157 May - June 2015 3 PCC NEWS The Persian Cultural Center (PCC) Board of Directors’ meeting in March primarily focused on the planning and co-ordination of various Nowruz programs: a Gala held jointly with Association of Iranian-American Professionals (AIAP) at the Marriott Hotel in La Jolla with D.J. Julius and celebrity M.C. Tehran; Chaharshan- can comedian was the MC of the event. The program beh Soori; Sizdah-bedar; and events at the Iranian School of San was sold out with approximately 500 people attending. Diego (ISSD). The Board’s meeting in April refocused on the After dinner, students of the Iranian School of San regular and expanding events that PCC has been able to host at Diego, under the leadership of Saba Borjian performed the new Iranian-American Center (the Center). several beautiful Iranian folk dances. Bahar Bagher- pour, the vice president of PCC’s Board of Directors March and April programs were as follows: invited esteemed guest, Supervisor Dave Roberts, to the stage. He greeted the audience and spoke about the • Film--The film committee presented “Aroose Atash” importance of participation in the social and political directed by Khosro Sinaee and “Leyla ba man hast” affairs of the community. DJ Julius of Excellent Enter- directed by Kamal Tabrizi, on March 1 and April 5, tainment and his musicians entertained the audience on respectively. The shows were followed by review and the packed dance floor until midnight. The stage was discussion sessions. Movies are shown at the Center on designed by Saeed Jalali and the beautiful “Haftsin” the first Sunday of the month. was designed by Venus Safaei. • Art Therapy--This program is run by Mrs. Saeedeh • Charshanbeh Soori--This year, again with collabo- Rahimi and takes place the second Saturday of each ration between PCC, AIAP (Association of Iranian- month at the Center. American Professionals) and HOI (House of Iran) an excellent celebration was presented to the Iranian- • Yoga Classes--These classes are conducted by Dr. American Community and their guests. It was estimat- Afshin Nahavandi on every other Tuesday of the month ed that between four to five thousand people showed up at the Center. (Cancelled until further notice). at NTC Park in Point Loma. This was another another memorable celebration with music, dance and food. • Acting Classes--PCC proudly hosted acting classes un- der the direction of famous actor and director Mr. Parsa • Sizdeh-bedar--Several thousand celebrated “Sizdeh Pirouzfar, on each Saturday of April. These classes bedar” on March 29 at NTC Park with elaborate picnics will continue in the month of May. and gatherings of friends and family. This event was also sponsored by PCC, AIAP and HOI. We do appreci- • Tasnif-khani--This workshop by Kourosh Taghavi has ate the excellent teamwork between the representatives become a well-established program with its own fan of these organizations and their tireless efforts to pres- base. In this bi-monthly event the audience learns and ent such memorable events to the community. sings by old masters. • Jong-e Farhangi--This is another favorite, recurring ISSD Nowruz events: program that takes place on the 2nd Friday of each month at the Center. At the March gathering Noushin Nowruz preparation was on March 8 with sabzeh kari and egg Khorsandian & Saeid Noori Boushehri interviewed coloring. On the same day Dollar a Month Fund held their annual guest writers Mahnaz Ataran and Mahin Sanati about Nowruz Bazaar at ISSD. their respective books. Bijan Rezaei and Milad Jahadi presented the music section of the program. The annual school celebration and variety show was on March 15 at the Mt. Carmel High School Auditorium. Students performed At the April gathering, Reza Khabazian interviewed fabulous folk songs and dance as well as theatre skits. During Dr. Cyrus Nakhshab on the psychology of immigration, the program, scholarships and awards were given to outstand- and Ramtin Movahed as the representative of “Docu- ing students and winners of the “Reading Olympics.” Forouzesh night.” The evening ended with Behrooz Sadeghian, Baradaran was recognized for her dedication to uphold cultural Ali Modiri and Ali Sadr performing several pieces of values. The special volunteer award was presented to Kamran traditional Persian music. Hamidi. DJ Julius provided the sound and lighting for the event. Videography and photography was done by Arash Tebbi.