Being a Muslim in America, firoozeh always felt left out during Christmastime. The biggest secular holiday in Iran is Nowruz, New Year's Day. It begins on the first day of spring at the precise moment of the equinox, meaning the holiday began at a different time every year. That was fine in Iran where everyone celebrated, but in America it was a challenge to celebrate. Nowruz is preceded by weeks of preparation, then for 12 days afterward people visit friends and relatives. Firoozeh and her family tried to celebrate in America, but the same magic was not present.
In America, the family spent Christmas watching television. Kazem especially enjoyed Bob Hope, despite not understanding all of his adults. Now that Firoozeh is grown and her husband celebrates Christmas, she also does, and loves celebrating the holiday.
Notes: While Dumas was able to participate in all the other American holidays that aren't a part of Iranian culture, Christmas was not a secular holiday, so she did not participate. Many Americans celebrate Christmas regardless of religion, but with a minority of Christians in Iran, that tradition is not present.
In 1977, Kazem wanted to take the family to Washington, D.C. to welcome the Shah to America. The Iranian government was paying for their trip, providing a three-night stay for only two events welcoming the Shah. This was at the time when there was a lot of hostility against Iranians, and many of Firoozeh's countrymen did not want to attend.
When the family arrived at the white house, there were masked demonstrators to welcome them. As soon as the Shah arrived, those demonstrators crossed the road and began beating the Iranians. Firoozeh and her family ran and found a tour bus to take them away from the danger. When they arrived back at the hotel, there was a note threatening them, so Kazem decided the family should head back to California on the next plane, which they did.
Notes: The late 1970s were a tumultuous and dangerous time for Iranians living in America. While the riots at the Shah's arrival were especially bad, it was not the only case of violence against Iranians.
Because of the upheaval in Iran and the hostage crisis, Kazem found himself unemployed and struggling to find a job since no one wanted to hire an Iranian. The family was forced to sell their house in Iran and all their belongings for far less than they were worth.
The prejudice against Iranians hurt Kazem even more since he was so passionate about his duties as a citizen of his new country. He insisted that everyone in the family voted, and would be offended if someone did not want to.
His job search continued to be difficult, with multiple companies who had initially been interested changing their minds after they found out he was Iranian. After the hostages were freed, he was able to find a job, albeit at a fraction of the salary he would have received prior to the revolution.
Notes: The chapter's title refers to the signs that were prevalent earlier in America's history reading 'NINA' (No Irish Need Apply.) They were a common sight when the potato famine in Ireland caused a mass emigration to America.
Celis, Christine. "TheBestNotes on Funny in Farsi".
TheBestNotes.com.
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