As We Say Goodbye

This is my last missive before the Center is closed for good on Monday June 30^th at a time when we need, more than ever, a place and community like the one we have built over the past eight years. In less than two weeks, we have witnessed the unprovoked attack on Iran by Israeli missiles, retaliations against Israel, and now, the entry of the United States dropping bombs on Iran. As of this writing, there is a supposed ceasefire, but we know these three governments well—all aggressive, punitive, and led by questionable characters. On Saturday, June 21^st, as I was attending the wedding of an SF State student, I learned the news of the US bombing of Iran’s three nuclear sites with “bunker bombs” through headlines on my phone. It was impossible not to gasp with horror at this action—taken without the approval of the US Congress—and to worry even more about family and friends living in Iran who might potentially be exposed to radiation leaks and infrastructure erosion by Israel’s attacks, not to mention greater repression by the Islamic Republic. No matter your feelings about the Iranian regime or the Israeli regime, civilians were caught up in the crossfire of this ridiculous volley of dangerous missiles. The loss of life, injury, and damage to infrastructure, particularly in Iran, has been significant. Israelis have bomb shelters and a much more sophisticated emergency system. The entire region is now at greater risk of military conflict, instability, and the Israeli genocide in Gaza marches on unchecked.

We have tried for the past eight years to facilitate, support, and uplift a different story about Iran and Iranians and Iranian Americans—one that is complex, nuanced, and less driven by reaction and trauma. But here we are: facing ugly divisions in our community where people champion the bombing of Iran by Israel, others expressing concern about political dissidents who will now be persecuted more vehemently by the regime in Tehran. Haven’t Iranians suffered enough under sanctions and the repression of their government? This is a moment for us to step back and champion peace and to defend Iranians’ concerns for their national sovereignty and to advocate for diplomacy, negotiations, and yes, accountability—particularly of the Trump Administration which has only added to the recklessness and volatility of this crisis. It is also a time to question the barrage of misinformation and propaganda that has enabled this war to occur. Rather than engaging in division and silly fantasies about what we think is best for Iran, in this country, we need to extend support and compassion to Iranians, particularly students from Iran, who feel the added effect of the recent Trump Travel Ban which will makes it hard for Iranians to feel safe in the US or go and visit family members in Iran. Coupled with that is the very real experience of the Trump Administration targeting immigrant communities in a place like Los Angeles, and in which we already know students and activists of Middle Eastern backgrounds who have been targeted, arrested, faced with deportation in the wake of the atrocities in Gaza. Here is where we must begin. Here is where we must find common understanding and common cause with others who are being targeted, erased, and abused by this administration. If we don’t fight where we are, don’t fight for accountability here, we can offer little to the people of Iran.

I began my journey into this field in the immediate aftermath of the Iranian Revolution of 1979 at the age of 17, where I saw the media and politicians ignoring or overlooking the causes of the tumult and chaos that led to the revolution in the first place. In this moment, we cannot allow the continued violation of international law, and US Constitutional law because it is eroding our own freedoms and, by extension, enabling the events in Gaza and the bombing of countries like Iran to continue. I have not felt very hopeful in recent days. But hope is the only thing I think we can and must cultivate, alongside sanity, peace, and solidarity. This is a time to listen, support, and resist simplistic and binary thinking. We must do better. We must resist and offer an example to young people of a better world than the one that is unfolding with these reckless and selfish leaders.

I am so very sorry that the Center is being forced to close. We need to nurture greater community and continue to build solidarity and organize outside the confines of institutions to assert our rights and concerns about a world on fire. It is my hope that we can carry on the spirit of the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies’ work in whatever way reflects resistance, decency, and moral courage. I hope you’ll continue to follow the Instagram page as it transitions to a community and network space. I also urge you to follow the University of Toronto which has taken a much greater interest in Iranian Diaspora Studies than it seems there is in the US. I will continue to participate in the ways I can, even in retirement. Stay safe. Protect each other. And, please speak up against war and repression wherever it rears its ugly head.