| If I learned anything from studying psychology is to | | | | we all wish we could do something about the ocean |
| define my own identity. What a progress one might | | | | of poison that destroys families and communities. |
| say! | | | | Myself, I am a woman and I am Iranian. I live in Canada |
| I believe each one of us is in critical need for | | | | and I am multicultural. I acknowledge my sociocultural |
| self-recognition. Traditionally, we are lost in some | | | | and ethical identity being influential in my understanding |
| distorted belief about who we are and what we do in | | | | of myself and the world. |
| this world. Therefore it is significant that we | | | | Being Iranian involves a culturally fragmented world. |
| communicate about our backgrounds and becoming. | | | | Historically, we Iranian are hurt, while we present a |
| In the absence of a realistic view on our true Self, we | | | | fake picture of our own self-perception. We Iranian are |
| hide behind clusters of labels and facades. Using an | | | | throughout our entire history barely having had the |
| arrogant view, I would say we Iranian are in critical | | | | opportunity to live with a state of peace of mind. |
| need to know ourselves. Why? Because we have | | | | Safety and security has not been and it is not part of |
| been forced to internalize many believes, things that | | | | our vocabulary. There have always been those who |
| are not really part of how our ancestors saw the | | | | wanted something from us. We have always been |
| world. We are dressed a dress that does not belong | | | | forced to conform to the rules that we were not part |
| to us. It does not fit us and it does not suit us. We | | | | of making it. The notion of oppression and invasion are |
| Iranian or whatever we call ourselves, we need to | | | | familiar concepts, things that we feel it with our flesh |
| redefine us. | | | | and blood. |
| One may ask why not others. I would say, I do not | | | | Being Iranian involves dealing with complex issues that |
| know about others, I know about the mess we Iranian | | | | blends in the past as a present form and present time |
| live with. | | | | stuck in a delusional future. Being Iranian is hard and |
| At times, we Iranian are too embarrassed about our | | | | joyful at the same time. We are proud of our family |
| own identity. Why? May be one reason is that we | | | | values while we have no concept for respect for |
| Iranian have hard time to recognize our own | | | | individuals. Civil right is really farfetched ideas. |
| weaknesses and strength in a healthy way. It is hard is | | | | Being Iranian and living in Canada means living with |
| expose our Self. It is painful to put everything that has | | | | adjustment issues, comparisons, and hopes. Being |
| happened into perspective. At times we are too proud | | | | Iranian and living elsewhere in the world means the |
| of being Iranian. We may praise our culture; still we do | | | | same thing. We always compare, contrast, complain, |
| not practice what we preach. We may brag about the | | | | and swear because of what has happened to us. |
| several thousands year of culture, still look what is | | | | No one takes responsibility and we all blame one |
| going on in our home country. See how media is being | | | | another. Still we are funny. We have a good sense of |
| misused by some men who take their anger and | | | | humour despite all the odds. What a circus. What a |
| frustration on others. Who are we really and what do | | | | joke. |
| we want? We are all confused because we do not | | | | Poran Poregbal |
| have a leadership. Still we are loyal to our roots and | | | | Vancouver, B.C. |