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A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America and American in Iran

Dillon Hayes

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Published in Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir Of Growing Up Iranian In America And American In Iran

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I was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1980. My parents were both Iranian, and I grew up in a traditional Iranian household. We spoke Farsi at home, ate Iranian food, and celebrated Iranian holidays. I went to an Iranian school, and my friends were all Iranian. I felt like I was part of a close-knit community, and I was proud of my Iranian heritage.

Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America and American in Iran

by Azadeh Moaveni

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	840 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	274 pages

When I was 10 years old, my family moved to the United States. We settled in a small town in California, and I started attending public school. I was the only Iranian in my class, and I felt like an outsider. I didn't understand the American culture, and I didn't have any friends. I was lonely and homesick.

As I got older, I started to adjust to life in America. I made friends, learned the language, and started to feel like I belonged. But I never forgot my Iranian roots. I still spoke Farsi at home, ate Iranian food, and celebrated Iranian holidays. I was proud of my Iranian heritage, but I also felt like an American.

After graduating from high school, I went to college in California. I studied political science and international relations. I was interested in learning about the world, and I wanted to make a difference. I was also interested in learning more about my Iranian heritage. I took courses on Iranian history and culture, and I joined an Iranian student organization.

After graduating from college, I moved to New York City. I got a job as a journalist, and I started writing about Iranian-American issues. I wanted to share my story, and I wanted to help other Iranian-Americans feel like they belonged. I also wanted to educate Americans about Iran and Iranian culture.

I have been living in New York City for over 10 years now. I am married to an American man, and we have two children. I am proud of my Iranian heritage, and I am also proud to be an American. I feel like I am a bridge between two cultures, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story.

Challenges of Growing Up Iranian in America

There are many challenges that Iranian-Americans face. One of the biggest challenges is the discrimination that they often experience. Iranian-Americans are often seen as outsiders, and they are often the target of prejudice and discrimination. This can make it difficult for Iranian-Americans to feel like they belong.

Another challenge that Iranian-Americans face is the cultural divide between Iran and the United States. This divide can be difficult to navigate, especially for Iranian-Americans who are trying to maintain their Iranian identity while also assimilating into American culture.

Despite these challenges, there are also many rewards to growing up Iranian in America. Iranian-Americans have the opportunity to experience two different cultures, and they can learn from both. They can also develop a unique perspective on the world, and they can use their experiences to make a difference.

Rewards of Growing Up American in Iran

There are also many rewards to growing up American in Iran. American-Iranians have the opportunity to experience two different cultures, and they can learn from both. They can also develop a unique perspective on the world, and they can use their experiences to make a difference.

American-Iranians can also learn about their Iranian heritage in a way that is not possible for Iranian-Americans. They can visit Iran, meet their Iranian relatives, and learn about Iranian history and culture. They can also develop a stronger sense of their Iranian identity.

Of course, there are also challenges to growing up American in Iran. American-Iranians may face discrimination and prejudice from both Iranians and Americans. They may also have difficulty navigating the cultural divide between Iran and the United States.

Despite these challenges, there are also many rewards to growing up American in Iran. American-Iranians have the opportunity to experience two different cultures, and they can learn from both. They can also develop a unique perspective on the world, and they can use their experiences to make a difference.

Growing up Iranian in America and American in Iran has been a challenging but rewarding experience. I have learned about two different cultures, and I have developed a unique perspective on the world. I am proud of my Iranian heritage, and I am also proud to be an American. I feel like I am a bridge between two cultures, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story.

Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America and American in Iran

by Azadeh Moaveni

4.3 out of 5