Tale of Two Cities
By Tehran Ghasri
tehrantehran@gmail.com
For Tehran “SoParvaz” a.k.a. Tehran “DC” it definitely seems to be the best of times. Whether he is hobnobbing with the Persian Elite, hosting the biggest concerts, parties, school events across the country, Tapesh TV shows, with roles in upcoming American movies or onstage with Maz Jobrani, Tehran (the kid, not the city) seems to be everywhere.
From Rangarang to Radiojavan, Tehran has come a long way. His infamous VOA interview by Saman was a Youtube hit getting over half a million collective views on various sites. Even more infamous was the way the clip ended, the interviewer asking
“What question have you never been asked?” with Tehran answering “Well, I’ve never been asked my opinions.” [In Farsi]
PAYAM Magazine gets the exclusive sit-down with everybody’s favorite half-Persian, this time by letting him interview himself.
Tehran vs. Tehran: The Interview.
Last time you were on-stage it was a couple of weeks ago at UC Irvine for their 2nd Annual Culture Show. You seem to be hosting a lot of Iranian student events across the country. How did you get into that?
Well, I started about 2 years ago. I had a TV show on Rangarang, one of those call-in live shows. The show was about bridging the gap between Iranian parents and their kids and building community. People could call in and talk about any topic except religion and/or politics. Basically, it was a show about my opinions and their opinions. I guess it caught on and kids who watched it started flying me out to host their school events. Now I do a lot of events, hopefully because I bring something different and exciting to the show. I talk about everyday issues but I make them fun and humorous.
Usually the Iranian younger generation doesn’t watch Persian TV. But your show was really popular. What made your show different?
Honestly, it was because I talked about everything and I told the truth. I told the truth about my experiences and the experiences of the younger Iranian generation. I didn’t sugar coat it. Sometimes kids listen better to other kids. So instead of negative peer pressure, my show was positive peer pressure. I feel like I had interesting topics and made it fun for everyone. I just do it in my own funny way. What you see with me is exactly what you get. Besides, Persian TV doesn’t just have to be for parents.
Your show was in mostly Farsi. Your Farsi is really good for someone who was not only born and raised in America but is only half-Iranian. How did you learn Farsi?
I didn’t really have a choice. My Dad invented this learning technique called “Too Saree.” Growing up, no matter where we were my Dad only spoke to me in Farsi. He would only answer me if I spoke Farsi back. He taught me how to read and write Farsi. He made sure I knew Iranian history and culture. I even had to memorize some Hafez. Everyday I walked outside I was a proud American but every night I came home my parents made sure I was an extra-proud Iranian.
You are mixed— something that used to be very rare in the Iranian community. But you are a very rare mix. You are half-Iranian and half-Black American. That must have been tough growing up.
It was definitely interesting. Growing up I got a very unique perspective on life and race. I have the best stories of people not knowing I am Iranian and saying mean or funny things. I learned how to deal with a lot of things early on in life and how to not let things get to me. The most important thing I learned was how to be proud of my heritage, of my parents, and most importantly myself. Also being “mixed” you get to see Iranian and American culture from the outside in and are able to compare it. But the truth is that every Iranian kid growing up in America now is “mixed” too, it’s just easier to see it when you look at me.
Your parents seem like interesting hard-working people. They must be if they named you Tehran. But now that you’re here. tell us the truth. Is your real name Tehran?
It’s funny how everyone gets shocked that my name is Tehran. But yes, it is my real name. It’s on my birth certificate and on my passport. It’s not a nickname or stage-name. I’ve been Tehran all my life. Actually, when I was really young I used to think they named the city after me. It’s still weird when I hear Tehran on CNN or something, for a second I think they mean me.
It’s shocking because it’s not a name you hear all the time. Actually, you might be the only Tehran around. Why did your parents name you such an unusual name?
I always joke that it was because my Dad wanted to see how much abuse I could take from police. My Mom helped name me. She was just as influential in raising me as my Dad. My Dad is from Tehran. If my Dad was Rashtee my name would probably be Rasht. But really my parents named me Tehran because they wanted me to always remember my heritage, culture, and where I was from. You know where you are going when you know where you are from.
In the video clip you re-tell the story of going to Iran as a child. Do you remember Tehran the city at all?
I have bits and pieces of memories. Only thing I remember about Iran 100 percent is “Jadeh Chaloos! Jadeh Chaloos!” Also I remember when they cut the sheep’s head off in front of me at the airport. I’ll never forget that. I remember picking amazing fruit off the trees and eating them. I also remember the bathrooms. Even though I was born, raised and still live in Washington D.C. I’ve heard so many stories that I feel like I grew up in Iran sometimes. I heard so many stories I feel like I was the one who had to walk up hill to “Madreseye Alborz” in 6 meters of snow both ways.
You have had a lot of exposure to Persian culture. What’s your favorite Persian food?
Hands down “ghormeh sabzi.” I love IT!
Do you like Persian music?
I love Persian music. It’s so fun-loving and cute. I blast it in my car all the time. I played basketball in college, and for the school and I used to play Persian music during warm-ups.
Who are some of your favorites?
Googoosh. I have had a crush on Googoosh since I was, like, 5 years old. “Man Amadeam” is the best song ever. I like the oldies. Vigen, Heyideh, Mahasti, Darius. I remember listening to the Siavash tape in the car as a kid. Some of the new stuff is good. The new Black Cats, Kamran & Hooman etc. The best stuff is from Iran though. Sasy Mankan is the man. I like what they’re doing and its straight from Iran.
Do you like Persian Rap?
Some of the stuff is really good like Erfan and Yas. This guy Basic in L.A. is doing new stuff being Iranian and American that’s really cool. Sasy Mankan is more pop. Some Persian Rap is really, really bad though. I’ll personally always like Heyideh more, but it’s cool.
So you are not always Super Iranian. You have an American side to you too. Do they conflict?
Of course I am American too. I like American rock and hip hop. I like Shahram Shabpareh but I also like Lil Wayne and Jay Z. I like Ebi but I also like Radiohead and Coldplay. I like kabob but I also like In 'N Out. I used to host a show on BET. I play basketball not soccer. My hair is an afro not spikey and I don’t drive a black BMW or Mercedes-Benz. I don’t feel like the two cultures conflict or you have to choose one over the other. I just try to be the best of both worlds.
When you marry will you choose an American wife or an Iranian wife?
“Avalan dokhtara mano keh mahal nameezaran.” Secondly I don’t know what fate has in store for me. I’ll marry who I fall in love with regardless of country of origin. Besides, I need to get offers before I start choosing wives.
Well, which type of girl do you like better?
I mean American girls, white or black, are nice and good-looking but Iranian girls are some of the best looking, most amazing girls in the world. I like brown hair and tan skin and Iranians are the best at that. It’s hard not to fall in love with their gorgeous eyes. And the best part is most of them are really smart and well-educated. That’s a dangerous combination. I don’t know if I could resist an Iranian girl, especially one who cooks “ghormeh sabzi.”
You said earlier you don’t talk about religion or politics on your shows. Why is that?
The point of my shows is to bring people together. I want to help unite the community. I want Iranians to start working together. Politics and religion can be divisive. There is already enough divide, I want to help unite. Plus I’m no religious or political expert like every other Iranian.
What are your political views?
Whatever is the best for the people. I believe in different things at different times. I like Obama; who doesn’t? He’s very smart and charming. I don’t know if he is the best for the job but he is in office now. He ruined my life because my Dad used to want me to be a doctor and now he wants me to be the President. I definitely never talk Iranian politics. Its just too overwhelming.
What religion are you?
That’s the funny part. I’m many different aspects of many different religions. I’m Zoroastrian but I’m also Muslim, Baptist, and Jewish. Genetically I’m every religion except Hindu. Maybe that’s why I appreciate diversity so much because I am so diverse.
What did you study in school?
I was lucky. Because even though I goofed off a lot I still got my undergraduate degree from George Mason University in International Politics and Communications. I received my Masters in Economic Theory and Principle and currently I am part-time at Georgetown Law. My dad, however, still tells everyone I’m going to be a doctor.
So you are a well-rounded young man. You are athletic and educated; smart and funny; Iranian and American. You ended your video clip with a statement that I now want you to answer. What is your “opinion?”
Trust me I have a lot of opinions about a lot of topics. But my strongest opinion is about the Iranian community, especially outside of Iran. It is my dream to bring Iranians especially the new generation together to unite in common tradition despite possible different religious or political views so that we as a people can celebrate and be proud of our beautiful common heritage. I want the new generation of Iranians to build together, work together, be together as one to create a legacy of success and dignity in America and abroad. I want to bridge the gap between the older generation and the new generation so we can learn from their experiences and they can learn from ours. If we work together we can be even more successful, more influential, more so than we our now.
Growing up, I remember that because of things on the news some Iranians were not proud of being Iranian. Well I am no one special to learn anything from. I am not a role model or a guide. All I am is a kid who is proud of my parents for all their hard-work, proud of my language, proud of my amazing culture, proud of my “ham vatans”, and proud of my country. I mean, my name is Tehran. I want all Iranians to feel the same pride I do. I never want a kid to feel embarrassed of being Iranian ever. I want him to see me and be like, "If Tehran is only half-Iranian and he is this proud, then I should be twice as proud as him." My Farsi is not the best but I try. I know Iran is not perfect but it’s where I am from and it’s where my kids’ kids’ kids will be from too. One of the best and most unique qualities of Iran is that other than America it is one of the few other countries that has so many different cultures and races. It doesn’t matter if you are Armenian, Kurdish, Azeri, Assyrian, Bandari, Tehrani or Turk. It doesn’t matter where you are: America, Canada, Australia, Germany, Sweden, or Zimbabwe. We are all Iranians. United we stand, divided we fall. I dream we can stand together.
Wow. That was a mouthful. That’s probably why no one has ever asked you your opinion. So any last words?
I want to thank PAYAM Magazine for this opportunity. Also, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way I’ve been interviewed a lot but I have to admit you are the best looking person to ever interview me. I have a lot of big things planned this year. So hopefully you will see me around. (P.S. Don’t worry, Dad. Maybe I’ll still become a doctor or the President some day.)
