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How Does Brijan Show Identity In Here To Stay

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"I don't have to choose between being Iranian and being American. I can be both." (Farizan, 288.) This quote shows the theme of Discussions on identity and belonging becoming more common in today's culture. In the book "Here to Stay," Sara Farizan explores these issues and the narrative of a high school boy who must confront his identity and battle for his place in a culture that continuously challenges it. "Here to Stay" shows a strong perspective on the struggles of navigating identity in a world that fails to recognize it through its plot and thoughtful topics. Bijan was just 16 when he was selected to play for the varsity basketball team when he scored the winning point for his team which he believed would gain him popularity. He felt …show more content…

"They wanted me out because I'm not one of them. They're afraid of me because of the way I look, and they'll always be afraid of me no matter how hard I try to prove myself." (p. 29). In this quote, the protagonist Bijan reflects on the racism he faces from his predominantly white classmates, who accuse him of cheating and vandalizing school property. Despite Bijan's efforts to fit in and excel academically, he is constantly reminded of his "otherness", this quote highlights the emotional toll of racism, as Bijan comes to accept the feeling of being targeted by a community he wants to be a part of. Although many believe racism is a better theme to support the book there is more overall evidence to support that identity is a stronger fit. "Being Iranian is not something I think about until I'm forced to think about it."(Farizan,18). This quote proves the idea that someone's identity can be developed by people’s expectations. For the protagonist, Bijan, being Iranian is a part of who he is, but it's not something he actively thinks about until he's faced with discrimination and racism from others. This suggests that our identities are often defined by outer factors, such as the opinions and actions of others, which can shape our sense of self and

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This feeling becomes a big part of the conflict. Firoozeh’s stories represent aspects of both American and Iranian cultures, showing the constant battle between identifying with one specific culture. Another roadblock in assimilating into American culture comes in the form of racism. Over time, there has been a growing fear of Middle Easterners due to issues such as terrorist attacks. This prejudice makes it hard for Firoozeh to feel American when Americans around her are afraid of her and her culture.

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The author's emphasis on the effects of race and racial identity on people and their lives is perceptive and thought-provoking, and it offers a helpful framework for more investigation and studies in this field. In addition to highlighting the significance of power and inequality in influencing our experiences and perspectives, the author's use of the symbolic interactionist perspective offers insightful information about how race and racial identity contribute to ongoing injustices and inequalities. Anyone who wants to learn more about the complexity of race and racism should read this book. Tatum also skillfully shows the realities of racial tension and prejudice in America through personal tales and instances. This serves as a potent reminder of the need for ongoing work to create a more just and equitable society.

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Finally, “Identity” by Julio Noboa explains his take on fitting in and refusing to be in society’s image. Many authors use negative word choices and connotations to show identity and a sense of belonging over time. In the poem “Are You the Good Kind of Muslim?” , Samira Ahmed uses word choice to show the impact on her identity by other people.

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Sara says, "I remember once asking my dad if he felt like he belonged in America. He said he didn't know. He said he always felt like an outsider, like he was always observing but never really participating" (Saedi 4). This demonstrates how difficult cultural assimilation can be for some people, particularly those who have strong ties to their cultural heritage. Sara's father's experience demonstrates how cultural assimilation is a difficult process, with individuals facing unique challenges based on their cultural background and personal

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Immersing oneself in a new community can come with difficulties such as language barriers and balancing two different identities. Firoozeh may have decided to add a “simpler” name, but had to deal with the emotional turmoil that came with people not knowing her actual Iranian heritage. Firoozeh also had to help her mother adapt to American culture by translating because her mother could not speak English. Firoozeh’s father had to adapt to the language barriers because his version of English was incomprehensible to the average American. Every single member of Firoozeh’s family had to adapt to American culture by giving up parts of their original identity because they had to make a place for themselves in their newfound

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When you look around the world, you see different characteristics that separate people, such as their genders, cultures, and styles. There are a number of races and ethnicities from African American to Italian to Chinese. NO one in this world is exactly the same as someone else. How does this tie into the story? People are being criticized, alienated, and bullied all around the world because of who they are, where they come from, what they look like, or the actions they make.

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The decision to attend a white school is a tough one and Junior understands that for him to survive and to ensure that his background does not stop him from attaining his dreams; he must battle the stereotypes regardless of the consequences. In this light, race and stereotypes only makes junior stronger in the end as evident on how he struggles to override the race and stereotypical expectations from his time at the reservation to his time at Rearden. How race and stereotypes made

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It is possible to say that a stereotype is nothing more than a weapon. It exists merely in thought, but is able to hurt a person as well as a nation. Yet, it is what many people believe to be true, even despite the overwhelming lack of evidence. One of the more accepted stereotypes are those of the people of Iran, in Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis, the author tries to redefine Iranian stereotypes by illustrating that when individuals and their hopes are taken into account, stereotypes are not as simple as they seem. Throughout the book, Satrapi portrays, dispels, confirms, and challenges stereotypes all to show that people are much deeper than stereotypes and to get to that truth, sometimes rejecting stereotypes is necessary.

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Marjane and her family rebel against the conservative Islamic regime because it opposes the morals they formed due to realizations about their influence on the others and the revolution’s impact. Upon her recognition of her participation in the inequality of social classes, Marjane begins to yearn for change and the overthrow of the Shah. In contrast, Taji feels an intensified need to rebel when she acknowledges the revolution puts her family in danger. Finally, Ebi’s revolutionary zeal peaks when he grasps how the revolution could prevent his daughter from becoming educated, an experience he greatly values. The family’s liberal values provide an example for how Iranians are not all conservative Muslims, contradicting the single story perpetuated by the media and expanding the readers’ understanding of

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One theme is how growing up in an undeveloped state affects a person. Marjane spent her childhood in Iran, with their education system and their beliefs. When Marjane moved to Austria, the difference between how she acted and thought was opposite to the European students. To fit it, she felt like she had to believe what they did, which she didn’t understand. Since she hadn’t been exposed to these beliefs, she had an open mind towards these ideas, having a new outlook toward them.

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In the past seven months of school, we, as a class, read three different novels that focused on the many aspects of culture around the world. My novel, Persepolis, written by Marjane Satrapi, may seem like, at first glance, a revolutionary narrative about Iran and how similar it is from everywhere else. Satrapi’s goal in her novel was to defend Iran and try to make readers understand that Iran really, is not too different. It is important to note that it is extremely debatable to say that most people in western societies, especially the U.S, share a perspective, unfortunately a common one, that the country of Iran has a reputation for Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism. The information we take in from the news and media feed into our misconceptions and biases about Iran as a country.

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Everything can be viewed from two perspectives; A fist fight, a murder, bullying, just to name a few situations. This is still the case with Iran and it’s people. Iran and its neighboring countries are often portrayed negatively as terrorist, or failed nations. This is not always the truth, however, and one can learn that through Marjane’s coming of age story, Persepolis. The personal nature of the story is told through Marjane’s loss of innocence, her opinions on religion, and her observation of the prominent gender roles.

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More than an issue itself, identity has become a prism through which other aspects of life and culture are viewed. Whiteness, blackness, ethnicity, racial background, geographical locations, religion, distinct

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