Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies Launches "40 Stories: Life In Diaspora" Video Project Exploring Bold New Faces of Iranian-American Identity
First-of-its-kind Video Series Premieres in Conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 22, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In a time of heightened anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim sentiment, a new crop of Iranian-American voices are courageously expressing their bi-cultural identities in a just-released video series entitled "40 Stories: Life in Diaspora." Presented by The Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State University, the series examines underrepresented narratives about identity, discrimination, assimilation, and resilience — as told through the stories of diverse Iranian-hyphenates living in diaspora. The video project is launching in concert with "Forty Years & More: International Conference on Iranian Diaspora Studies" – an unprecedented convening of global thought leaders, academics and artists who will explore new research and engage in dynamic conversations around identity, race, gender, and artistic expression in the Iranian diaspora experience. The "40 Stories" video series is available via this link. Details about the conference, which also features two art exhibitions displaying work by Iranian-American artists, can be found at: cids.sfsu.edu/conference.
"We are very excited about the "40 Stories: Life In Diaspora" video project," affirms Dr. Persis Karim, Director of the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies — which is hosting the conference. "The aim of this series is to present a rich tapestry of stories, reflections, and commentaries from a wide spectrum of Iranian-American voices; including multi-generational scholars, artists, journalists, entertainers and entrepreneurs – to inspire deeper connection, compassion and understanding of immigrant populations the world over."
Some of the Iranian-American individuals featured in the series include: green revolution crusader Max Aram, co-founder of Pick My Solar who formed his company to disrupt oil-rich regimes like the one he fled; justice advocate Dr. Niaz Kasravi, founder of the Avalan Institute; Melissa Etehad, LA Times Reporter who writes about Iran and the Mashriq region; K-von Moezzi, stand-up comedian; and author, screenwriter, producer, Abdi Nazemian, who uses his platform to tell stories of diversity and inclusion through an Iranian diaspora lens.
"I believe the "40 Stories" video project offers a fresh, powerful perspective on Iranian Americans that has the potential to dispel stereotypes and break down barriers," adds Dr. Karim.
"40 Stories: Life In Diaspora" lives on The Center's YouTube channel and is distributed across its social platforms. Many of the individuals featured in the series are presenters and panelists at The Center's International Conference at San Francisco State, March 28-30, 2019.
About the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies
The Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies was founded in 2016 by Bay Area philanthropist and SFSU alumna, Neda Nobari, who was among the millions of Iranians displaced by the revolution. The Center draws on San Francisco State's strong foundation of studying ethnic, racial and social justice issues in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The Center also creates opportunities for collaboration and exchange around the Iranian diaspora, by supporting and disseminating new scholarship, and showcasing the diverse and unique cultures of Iranian diaspora communities in the Bay Area, California and globally. For more information about the conference and art exhibitions visit: cids.sfsu.edu/conference.
For interview opportunities, photography, video and blog content, please contact Anita S. Lane at (313) 447-9083 or [email protected].
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SOURCE Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies
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