I fear Chinies when they are driving and when i go to library as seeing they are hitting books. Actually when they are laughing i could see then they are eating the world.Hating Arabs is obvious for all of Iranians.

There is a need for a comprehensive study to see how much of Iranian racism is based on the perceptions that they have formed in Iran and how much of it is a result of things that they have learned from the culture of North America. Another point I want to make is that some to the racism among other minorities is induced as a result of racism on them. For example, if Iranian racism against Arabs is fueled by American racism against Iranians because Iranian try to deflect the racism against themselves to Arabs. This true for other minorities as well. For examples, when people were polled after 911 whether Middle Eastern should be put under survilance, African-American voted in support of it more than any other minority. Now that I am writing this post, I can see a Bangladeshi Muslim, who is a student here, in the... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

Hi, I was raised in Abadan and had many many friends and classmates with Arab ethnic background and neither I nor any of my non-Arab friends once felt superior to our Arab friends. Saying that, we ALL had a common dislike for folks across the river in Iraq. I still remember walking in groups from school to home and singing some songs about how brave Iranians were and how cowards Iraqis were (there were some border clashes between two countries at that time). Anyhow, keep in mind that regardless of West's involvement in Iran-Iraq war, it was Iraqis with the help of other Arab countries, both militarily and financially as well as in forms of so called volunteer personnel, who invaded Iran and caused enormous death and damage. It is natural to “hate” those who killed your friends and destroyed your hometown!

Yahya, I know what you mean. Interestingly it is not just found among poeple form a middle eastern (or muslim) origin. After September 11 I was watching German channels back in Iran, and I was amazed by how Germans overdid the outbursts of their feelings in front of the camera. I still remember a German woman crying and claiming, almost in a yell, how she can *never* understand the mentality of those who are able to commit such acts of violence. It was funny because Auschwitz and Dachau were not more than a few hundred kilometers away from were she stood and what went on there did not happen millenia but just fifty years ago. To me at least it seemed the Germans were not missing any chance of 'enjoying'(well that's perhaps a little too powerful a word to use here, but you get what I mean) the experience... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

im from toronto...damn...just wanted 2 say that i feel racism everywhere...and its tru..EVEN in CANADA we have it...jews are EXTREMLY racist...ESPECIALLY the ones from isreal..i mean we DO burn their flags every now and then, but c'mon..no 1 really likes em!!hehe..maybe thats a lil harsh..anyyways/../the SHOW IS AWSOME and me as a persian don ever wanna be called an arab. we are the ones with the 098387093809390 years of civilization...we are PERSIANS...not arab..PERSIANS...when we concured a town..we NEVER touched their women nor their kids...we gave them the right to keep their own lang. and their own religion..we persians should always remember...bein called arab..is like calling you a black man WHITE...i donnu about u guys..but im proud 2 be persian..FROM IRAN, tehran..and im proud 2 be muslem..and u know what...when i see americans sayin "HOW COULD SOME1 DO THAT" like after 9/11...i just wanna say..HOW CAN U GUYS ATTACK IRAQ...and... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

I haven't seen the show, but I think the point of making this character "Nasim" be somewhat racist is to make him seem more human. No human of any ethnicity has not fallen into the trap of feeling hatred, stereotyping, or harboring ignorant views. I don't think the intent of the program is to stereotype Iranians as racist. In fact, I think it has the opposite intention - to identify and emphasize the core similarities between people - the good and the bad - and by doing so, affirm that we are all essentially human. Sorry if am I being confusing or stating the obvious. (p.s. what exactly is the definition of "Arab," "Persian," etc. I'm wicked dumb.)

um, yeah, I just read the post of the guy before me and I just wanna let you know... 1) It sounds like you're angry at what seems like Americans (i.e. the media) characterizing Muslims as snipers, etc. I'm here in America, and believe me, not everyone feels that way. Sure, some people do, and they're generally (uhoh, more generalizations- take it for what it's worth) the same people who were all for "punishing" Saddam Hussein for Sept. 11th, a link which even G.W. Bush himself recently conceded has absolutely no legitimite basis (i.e. was complete bullshit) 2) I'm dumb but I'm not blind. The second most popular justification by Bush and his cronies for war was that we would be 'liberating the Iraqi people.' Right. Since when did American leaders give a sh-t about the Iraqi people? I don't know my history very well. But didn't the US... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

In responce to Lauren's interesting question above, I think the main difference between Persians and Arabs is that Persians speak Persian at home and Arabs speak Arabic at home. Now, this excludes some minority groups within Iran from our definition of Persian (Turks of Azerbaijan and Khorasan, most people who live inside Iran and near the Caspian sea, Kurds of Central Iran, Arabs of Southern Iran, Baloochs who live near the Pakistani border, to give some examples), but I guess they are simply not Persians. They are Azaris, Kurds, Turkomans, Lors, Baloochs, and Arabs! Not that there is anything wrong with them; they are Iranians, all right, but not Persians! Now, it is much easier to define "Iranian": Anyone who is born to Iranian parents is Iranian. A circular definition, I know, but it works. :-> I find trying to distinguish Arabs and Persians based on their race quite... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

SG, besides Iranians, some Lebanese and Egyptian people do not like to be called Arabs either. Lauren, Arab and Persian are ethnicities, some vague way to classify people based on their rituals and ways of life and ancestory. Iranian on the other hand is a nationality, something related to the political borders of the time. Now, to complictae things, Iran was called Persia not long before, hence the word Persian can be legally used for nationality, meaning Iranian. Persian could also refer to the language spoken mainly in parts of Iran/Tajikstan/Afghanistan -- and each variant of Persian can be called Farsi/Tajiki/Dari -- And, the same word could be used to refer people to speak the language, though I believe this is not used very often. Now, the distinction between Arab and Persian as SG mentioned, usually refers to language/rituals/ancestry. Besides that, as Lauren said we are all people.

Indeed, Coward. I saw a movie once (West Beirut) in which a Lebanese boy retorts at his father, saying "We are not Arabs, we're Phoenicians!". I now realize how hard it is to give a clear-cut definition for Arab/Iranian/Persian (alphabetically ordered!), as well as any other ethnicity or even nationality. I know people (as I'm sure you also do) who have neber been to Iran in their life but consider themselves Iranian! I think the issue of "we're better than others" was discussed in good detail elsewhere in this forum. That sentiment is the basis of all such labelings as Arab, Persian, whatever. I used to go to a pizza place where the owner was an Iraqi Kurd and spoke Persian to me, but was offended if I called him Persian, which I did, by mistake of course, every now and then. ;-) Everybody thinks they are something, and... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

SG, I think another reason people like to be called Persian vs. Arab is identity. For example, you do not like me call you Ata, because you identify yourself as Senior Grad, not because one name is better than another. So, yes, I like to be called properly, that is Ordak or Coward, or even D. But this does not mean I beleive Ordak is better than Hendune. Each of them, properly served, are rather enjoyable.

Rest assured, Hendune, that I don't mind you calling me anything, as long as it is not out of ordinary (like Ordak) or obviously offensive (like Coward), even though I may be just another coward duck. Besides, you keep calling me SG, as if my name is so hard to spell. It don;t find it flattering Ata ll. For your further information, D., my real name or my pseudonym neither make me proud (like the name Ali does for Ali Sh. Mahani) nor empowers me (like the name Mahdi did for someone who commented on his latest writing) nor embarrasses me (like it used to do for some Ordak that I cannot be sure was you or another one). Names, in my humble opinion, do not serve much purpose other than identifying people, not, mind you, endowing them with identity and, as you in your infinite wisdom attest to,... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

Oops. I had to leave my previous comment unfinished, because something's come up and I've got to go. Just briefly, names don't have much to do with identity, as Ordak tries to establish...

Thanks for the clarification. Most of the people I know, when using the word "Arab," are using it as a general term referring to anyone from the "middle east," whatever that is, I'm not even sure. It's funny; it seems like the more you try to specifically define one of these labels / identities, the more they seem to have multiple definitions, or the more fuzzy they become. Whatever. Thanks again. ~L

I am glad there is more representation of Iranians in US TV at this time; especially comic! If only Khomeni could see it.

Muslim is Arabic of origin (Saudi Arabia) therebey the Persian continent is influenced by the Arabs ethnically and culturually. Im not saying that Persians are Purely Arab because other ethnicities have lived and entered there but one cannto deny taht Arabic culture is Persian. Better yet Persian is a style of Arabic culture..

I dont know how long you all have lived outside Iran or how much you know about the history of Iran... to hate arabs is a paradox for most iranians since they are muslims. How can you belive in a god who only understands arabic, did choose an orfan arab to be his profet and told him its ok with lethal violence towards non belivers, at the same time that you hate arabs?? If all iranians knew the real history of Islam and how Persia was converted to a muslim country, we would all hate arabs and islam!!! of course we all are human and equal, physically and chemically... but the main difference in people from different countries is cultural and some things are undeniable. most of the iranians who hate arabs are raised in educated families and know their history. they know how Persia was sieged by the... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

Persian is NOT a style of arabic culture, mr :()!! we are the only people in the world whos language and culture has survived the arab invasion and siege!!!! sure, we have taken influence... but we still have our own language and culture.... the practice of islam is NOT a part of persian culture!!! we have managed to KEEP our persian identity through invasions of makedonians/greeks, moghuls, arabs and afghans! thus, it is natural to be protectiv about this identity!!!

Daud Abu Omid: "I am glad there is more representation of Iranians in US TV at this time; especially comic! If only Khomeni could see it". Well, the Iranians in turn must be glad that there is a big, real-life Arab contingent in the US, France and a few other places, especially of the "pathetic" type, as we witness scenes of Arabs' humiliation and misery in Israel, Iraq, Sudan, etc on a daily basis. And it's "Khomeini", son, not Khomeni. "Muslim is Arabic of origin (Saudi Arabia) therebey the Persian continent is influenced by the Arabs ethnically and culturually ... Persian is a style of Arabic culture" Excellent logic: your mom will be sooooo proooooud of you! Andischeh: "of course we all are human and equal, physically and chemically... but the main difference in people from different countries is cultural and some things are undeniable. " Just reminds me... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

mr Ali M. Im sorry if my spelling somehow offends you... My first language is persian and my other language is swedish. Anyway I apologize for my obviously insufficient english. It seems like you have missunderstood the point of my contribution... I never said that people are not equal or some people are more equall than others, the point is that you can not deny the importance of knowing the history! And the history is the main reason why persian people, generally, hate arabs. Not as individuals, as a cultural unit. That is a fact!!! Now if you choose to close your eyes and repeat all the "politically correct" statements that you hear from media,wherever you liv, it is your problem. It seems like you all liv in USA and are influensed by the situation there... Dont forget that USA is not the whole world and the american point... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

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What a bunch of hypocrites reside on this site! LOL I post that Islam has to go, in order to establish democracies in Islamic countries, and you call it racism. If you want to see racism take a look at your own on this thread and quite a few others: “I'm Persian!” http://freethoughts.org/archives/000121.html Iranians hating and feeling superior to Arabs, especially Iraqis and people from China and Bangladesh and the U.S. and whoever else. Senior Grad, says dumb things like: "I find trying to distinguish Arabs and Persians based on their race quite ridiculous, because even amongst Arabs there can be found a wide variety of races." Arabs are NOT, NOT, NOT a race! Perhaps the "Senior" will have to stay for another year and make up for some of his deficiencies. It's just amazing. You all claim I am "racist" because I disdain Islamic terrorists—but you, you all... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

Hey Wessie, you are right either way! Your disdain of Islam will just make the Islamists more encouraged to believe that they are right. Either way they are right! Either way you are right! Either way we are caught between you idiots! It is so bad you fundamentalists exist, I wish there was a final solution for you, your patriot fundamentalist siblings and all other types of religious fundamentalists! Either way, I am right!:);)

arabs are under constant threat of a military invasion or a cultural peneteration by US. we(persians)have been experincing that already for years and kind of used to it.we survived the bad of the worst, which arabs like iraq,sauadi, egypt and so on.... are going through now.US kind of giving up on sanctions and economic measures on iran while put ever growing pressure on arabs. Arabs also lack the same intelligence and courge that is a common sense between pepole of iran therfore they have much harder time than we have in past 25 years example a monkey called connel Gaddafi in libey or Mobark in egypt who just came to our stepdoor to beg like a junky out of drug!!!!.arabs today need us more than ever so desperate that is why they are so kind and taliking about unity of all muslims.now it is up to you my fellow... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

Abu Omid, If one day Iran decides finall to get out of the Islamic world for good, which I hope to happen as soon as possible, I just wonder what will be left of your 'culture'?

A couple of points: Racism exists among almost all groups of people. It may manifest itself as just xenophobia (what we mostly see among people, they do not trust others and stereotype them, may feel better or superior) or in a few people it may take the form of ideological racism. Ideological racism (like racism against native Americans and Blacks, against Jews, ...) generally stems from "blaming the others" syndrome. It needs state supposrt to reach its devastating potential. Both types of racism exists among Iranians and Arabs. Baath party (in Iraq against Iranians or Persians) and in Syria (against Israelis and Turks) made it its official ideology. AbdelNasser in Egypt fanned it against Iran as the non-Arab country with close ties to the West. In Iran it is mostly of xenophobic type, although there was push towards ideological type late in Reza Shah's reign, but it was not... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

Mohammad, you just wrote: "It is undeniable that majority of Iranians are indo-European". Only that they mostly don't look the type: It is basically the people of North, West and some Eastern parts that look indo-European. You might want to have a look at these genetic studies though (oops, I know it's Nazi science, but it's recent!): This particular page displays the genetic distance of Iranians with some other nationalities on the average, it's fun to see: Sforza.

Sforza such ignorance!!!! In all of Europe's history, there have never been any European civilizations or peoples who have ever referred to themselves as Aryans. The only people who have ever referred to themselves as Aryans since prehistoric and ancient times have been White Iranians. The word "Aryan" itself only began to be used by Europeans in the 19th century as a symnonym for "Indo-European", which was an inaccurate and false use of the word "Aryan". In that same era, Comte de Gobineau and Houston Stewart Chamberlain began developing and promoting the idea that the Nordic (Germanic) peoples were the purest Aryans and were responsible for all civilization throughout the world. This idea later became popular amongst Adolf Hitler and the NSDAP through efforts by the German-based Thule Society and NSDAP members Alfred Rosenberg and Heinrich Himmler. This idea however has been repudiated by scholars and anthropoligists and is... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

I am Dariush, the great king, the king of kings The king of many countries and many peoples The king of this expansive land, The son of Wishtaspa of Achaemenid, Persian, the son of a Persian, 'Aryan', from the Aryan race "From the Darius the Great's Inscription in Naqshe-e-Rostam" The above scripture is one of most valid written evidences of the history of the Aryan race, and as can be seen, Darius I (Dariush in persian), the Achaemenian king, in the 5th century BCE, declares himself a Persian and form the Aryan race. Herodotus, the father of history, writes (in his book: "History of Herodotus") at the same times: "In ancient times, the Greeks called Iranians "Kaffe", but they were renowned as Aryans among themselves and their neighbors". In another part of his book, Herodotus writes that the Medians were known as Aryans during a certain period. So in... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

Iranians are nation of hypocrites I have seen many Irani in LA and Dallas they are all munafiqeen. Iranians should learn from Pakistani and Arab communities in USA who are prosperous and educated as well as good Muslims. This world WILL end one day and you WILL stand before Allah(SWT). He will not be impressed with excuses like liberalism or secularism or other garbage.

Better than the fairytale you fool yourself with, buddy!

to Amir Ali i too got to know many pakastanis in north america ok they all had two charatersticts in common, they all are observent musliams and they all sale illicit drugs. oh yeah bin laden said so too, no matter what you do just pray to allah, whose repesentative in earth would be him(of course for wahhabi). Arabs have always liked to see us (persian) proclaiming ourselves arabs(it is always confusing for outsiders to distiguish between us). we always refuse to do so , just because we are not!!in these days they(arabs)need us more than ever, pressure from US mounting up and all of sudden they are saying persians are their muslims brothers!!! well i say "let's be their brothers" get whatever economic benefits that would otherwise go to west and then screw them at the right moment because they would not hesitate to screw us if they... [more at the permalink of the entry above]

Hi all,interesting read material for an outsider like me. :-)

this is on another topic...but does racism against blacks (african americans) exist in the persian culture?