A Sense of Belonging and Home
It was a big contradiction [to distress] for me, and I think many others, to be on the recent RC International Iranian call led by Azi Khalili (International Liberation Reference Person for South, Central, and West Asian-Heritage People). Some of us were living in Iran, some in the United States, and others in Europe. Some were mixed heritage. We ranged in age from young adults to elders.
The Iranian diaspora has left many of us disconnected from our country, our land, and each other. Just being together, sharing aspects of ourselves, was such a joy. Whenever I get to connect with other Iranians, I feel a sense of belonging and home that was lost to me when I left Iran at eight years old. That was a huge heartbreak that I’ve often lived on top of. Getting to notice it, and notice that it can be healed by reconnecting with my people in the present, gives me great hope.
I am excited about building and nurturing relationships with Iranians in Iran. I now understand better how U.S. imperialism and sanctions continue to wage war on our people. As someone who has not had to live through the last thirty years in Iran, I sometimes feel guilty for escaping the hardship. But building relationships in the present helps me move through these feelings and feel connected to what people are experiencing there.
USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders of South, Central, and West Asian-heritage people
(Present Time 201, October 2020)