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'Tehrangeles' follows a family of aspiring Iranian influencers in LA

By NPR (podcasts@npr.org)

In discussing her novel 'Tehrangeles,' Porochista Khakpour shares insights into the Iranian-American experience and the challenges of cultural identity. She explores the prejudices and class divides that exist even within the Iranian community, as exemplified by her interactions with wealthy Iranian shoppers in LA who rejected her attempts at connection.

Khakpour discusses the nuances of Iranian-American identity and assimilation, from the ethnic masking her protagonist Roxana employs to Al's emotionally detached pursuit of the American Dream. Khakpour also touches on the nuances around Iranian-Americans being officially classified as "white" while often not being perceived as such. Through her characters, she aims to add depth and humanity to challenge stereotypical views of Iranian-American communities like the "Teirangelis" of Beverly Hills.

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'Tehrangeles' follows a family of aspiring Iranian influencers in LA

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'Tehrangeles' follows a family of aspiring Iranian influencers in LA

1-Page Summary

Khakpour's Experiences as an Iranian-American Shop Girl

Porochista Khakpour reflects on connecting and interacting with wealthy Iranian-American shoppers as an employee on Rodeo Drive. She expected camaraderie through their shared heritage, but instead faced aloofness and rejection, underscoring the class divides and prejudices within her own community, Khakpour says. Despite her feelings, she had to maintain a scripted, polished persona in line with the elite shopping experience.

Roxana's Identity Struggles as an Iranian-American

Khakpour's novel explores identity and assimilation challenges through Roxana, who masks her Iranian background to avoid xenophobia and discrimination. Roxana denies her heritage, even telling others she's Italian, entering the fraught territory of "ethnic masking" to shield herself, according to Khakpour.

The Classification of Iranian-Americans as "White"

While officially categorized as white, Khakpour notes the disconnect many Iranian-Americans feel from this label, encountering situations that distinctly identify them as non-white based on societal perceptions. Some can "pass" as white, affording privileges but also navigating a delicate conditional acceptance dependent on context.

Al's American Dream and Emotional Detachment

Al, the patriarch, singlemindedly pursues the American Dream through assimilation and establishing a snack food empire as an immigrant success story. However, Khakpour highlights Al's emotional distance from his family due to this intense drive to become fully Americanized.

"Teirangelis" Stereotype and Nuanced Portrayal

The stereotype of wealthy Iranian-Americans in LA, dubbed "Teirangelis," portrays them as flashy and materialistic. While playing with this caricature in her novel, Khakpour aims to add empathy and depth to challenge superficial perceptions through her characters' humanity.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore your own biases by keeping a journal where you note any preconceptions you have about people based on their background or appearance. Write down instances where you might have made assumptions about someone's ethnicity, class, or lifestyle. Reflect on these entries weekly to identify patterns in your thinking and actively challenge them.
  • Engage in cultural exchange by attending community events or festivals that celebrate different heritages, including Iranian culture. Make it a point to learn about the history and contributions of these communities. This exposure can help break down stereotypes and enrich your understanding of the diverse fabric of American society.
  • Start a book club with friends or colleagues focusing on literature by Iranian-American authors or stories that delve into the Iranian-American experience. Through discussions, you can gain insights into the complexities of identity, assimilation, and the American Dream as experienced by different individuals within the community.

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'Tehrangeles' follows a family of aspiring Iranian influencers in LA

Porochista Khakpour's Personal Experiences as a Rodeo Drive Shop Girl

Porochista Khakpour reflects on her time working on Rodeo Drive and her attempts to connect with wealthy Iranian-American shoppers, who often met her with coldness and class prejudice.

Khakpour's interactions with wealthy Iranian-American customers while working on Rodeo Drive

Khakpour recalls initiating conversations with affluent Iranian customers at the luxury store where she worked, addressing them in Persian to establish a cultural connection. However, instead of the camaraderie she hoped for, these customers often responded negatively upon realizing she was an Iranian employed in a service position. To them, the physical divide of the shop counter also symbolized a definite class and social boundary.

Khakpour's attempt to connect with Iranian-American customers, only to face their aloofness and rejection

Khakpour expected that her shared heritage would facilitate a warm interaction, but the reality was starkly different. The revelation of her Iranian identity coupled with her role as a service worker led to aloofness and rejection from the customers, highlighting the ingrained social hierarchies within her own community.

Khakpour's need to mainta ...

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Porochista Khakpour's Personal Experiences as a Rodeo Drive Shop Girl

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

...

Actionables

  • You can explore the impact of social hierarchies by journaling your daily interactions, noting moments where you feel a social divide. Write down instances where you perceive a difference in treatment based on your job, attire, or background. This will help you become more aware of subtle social dynamics and consider ways to address them in your own behavior.
  • Engage in role-reversal exercises with friends or family to gain empathy for different social positions. Take turns acting out scenarios where one is a service worker and the other a customer, then discuss feelings and perceptions that arise. This can deepen your understanding of how job roles and social status affect interpersonal relations.
  • Create a personal ...

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'Tehrangeles' follows a family of aspiring Iranian influencers in LA

Themes of Identity, Assimilation, and the Immigrant Experience for Iranian-Americans

Khakpour’s novel explores the nuanced themes of identity, assimilation, and the immigrant experience, particularly focusing on Iranian-Americans through the character of Roxana, who denies her Iranian heritage.

The character of Roxana and her denial of her Iranian heritage

Roxana's desire to conceal her Iranian identity to avoid discrimination and xenophobia

Roxana, a character in Khakpour’s novel, deals with the complex issues surrounding identity and the desire to assimilate into American culture due to fear of discrimination and xenophobia. In an attempt to conform and protect herself from these societal issues, Roxana goes to the extent of telling people that she is Italian rather than Iranian.

The complexities and consequences of Roxana's self-imposed ethnic masking

This denial and concealment of her true identity lead Roxana into the treacherous territory of "ethnic masking," where she must constantly navigate the complexities and psychological consequences o ...

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Themes of Identity, Assimilation, and the Immigrant Experience for Iranian-Americans

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Roxana's experience is valid, it's important to recognize that not all Iranian-Americans choose to conceal their heritage; many embrace and openly celebrate their Iranian identity despite potential discrimination.
  • The strategy of ethnic masking, while understandable, might not always be effective in protecting individuals from xenophobia, as discrimination can be based on a variety of factors, not just declared ethnicity.
  • The text implies a somewhat monolithic experience of Iranian-Americans, but there is a wide diversity of experiences and responses to the challenges of assimilation and identity within this community.
  • The focus on the negative aspects of the immigrant experience might overshadow the positive aspects, such as the resilience, cultural enrichment, and community support often found among immigrant groups.
  • The idea that ass ...

Actionables

  • You can explore your own heritage by creating a personal cultural journal where you document your family history, traditions, and stories that you've learned from older generations. This activity allows you to privately celebrate and understand your background without the fear of external judgment. For example, if your grandparents immigrated, you could record their stories, the recipes they passed down, or the holidays they celebrated, creating a tangible connection to your roots.
  • Start a virtual book club with friends focused on literature from your own or another's culture to foster understanding and appreciation for different backgrounds. By selecting books written by authors from diverse ethnicities, you and your friends can gain insights into various cultural experiences and discuss them in a safe, supportive environment. For instance, if you're interested in Iranian culture, you might read contemporary Iranian authors and share your reflections with the group.
  • Engage in role-playing ...

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'Tehrangeles' follows a family of aspiring Iranian influencers in LA

Navigating the Concept of Whiteness for Iranian-Americans

The classification of Iranians in the United States as "white" is a topic of discourse that delves into the complexities of racial identity and the experiences of Iranian-Americans.

The shifting and ambiguous classification of Iranians as "white" in the United States

Disconnect between classification and lived experience

In official government categorizations, Iranians are classified as white, but this often does not align with the everyday experiences of Iranian-Americans. They frequently encounter situations that remind them of a racial distinction where they are treated distinctly as non-white. This disparity between bureaucratic labels and lived reality can lead to confusion and a sense of disconnection from the societal construct of whiteness.

The privileges and limitations of being able to "pass" as white for Iranian-Americans

The ability of some Iranian-Americans to "pass" as white is a nuanced situation with a myriad of socio-political implications. While this may affor ...

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Navigating the Concept of Whiteness for Iranian-Americans

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

...

Actionables

  • Explore your own identity by creating a personal identity map that includes your ethnic background, how you perceive yourself, and how you think others perceive you. This exercise can help you visualize the complexities of your identity and the potential discrepancies between self-perception and external perception. For example, draw a circle with your name in the middle, then branch out to different aspects of your identity, noting down experiences or instances where you felt your identity was questioned or affirmed.
  • Engage in conversations with friends or family members about the concept of racial passing and its implications. Discussing these topics can broaden your understanding of how race and identity play out in different contexts. You might start by sharing a personal experience related to racial classification and then invite others to share their thoughts and experiences, fostering a deeper dialogue about identity.
  • Reflect on your experiences with pri ...

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'Tehrangeles' follows a family of aspiring Iranian influencers in LA

The Pursuit of the American Dream by the Patriarch, Al

Al's single-minded focus on assimilation and achieving financial success as an immigrant

From humble beginnings and his early days at a pizza shop, Al's obsession with assimilation at any cost paints the picture of a man chasing the embodiment of American identity.

Al's creation of a snack food empire as a symbol of the American dream

Al's dedication to Americanization is mirrored in his ambition to achieve financial success as an immigrant, and this is embodied by his establishment of a snack food empire. His success in this venture serves as a symbol of achieving the American Dream, reinforcing the idea that hard work and dedication can lead to prosperity in America.

Al's emotional distance from his family due to his intense drive for Americanization

However, Al’s tireless pursuit comes at a personal cost, as his intense focus leads him to become an abs ...

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The Pursuit of the American Dream by the Patriarch, Al

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • Al's focus on assimilation may not necessarily equate to an obsession; it could be seen as a strategic adaptation to new cultural and economic environments.
  • The creation of a snack food empire, while impressive, might not fully capture the nuanced and varied experiences of the American Dream, which can mean different things to different people.
  • Al's emotional distance from his family could stem from multiple factors, not solely his drive for Americanization; it could also be influenced by the pressures of entrepreneurship, personal values, or other individual circumstances.
  • The narrative that hard work and dedication invariably lead to prosperity in America is an oversimplifica ...

Actionables

  • Reflect on your personal and professional goals to ensure they align with your values, not just societal expectations. Write down your top five personal values and compare them to your current goals. If you notice a discrepancy, consider adjusting your goals to better reflect what truly matters to you. For example, if family connection is a top value but your career goals are leading to emotional distance, it might be time to reassess your priorities.
  • Create a "cultural balance sheet" to evaluate how well you're integrating your cultural identity with your aspirations. On one side, list aspects of your cultural heritage you cherish and want to maintain. On the other, list the elements of the culture you're assimilating into that resonate with you. This can help you find a balance that honors both your roots and your ambitions. For instance, if you're an immigrant entrepreneur, you might blend traditional recipes from your homeland with modern marketing strategies.
  • St ...

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'Tehrangeles' follows a family of aspiring Iranian influencers in LA

The Representation and Perception of "Teirangelis" in Los Angeles

The stereotypical view of Iranian-Americans as flashy, ostentatious, and inauthentic

Khakpour delves into the common stereotypes surrounding Iranian-Americans in Los Angeles, often referred to as "Teirangelis," which portray them as materialistic and luxury-obsessed individuals.

Khakpour's own experiences and perspectives as an Iranian-American in the San Gabriel Valley, challenging the "Teirangelis" stereotype

She discusses the typical depiction of wealthy Iranian-Americans as invariably well-dressed, with a preference for high-end brands, embodying a stereotype of Iranians in Los Angeles as overly concerned with appearances and material possessions. This stereotype paints "Teirangelis" as embodying a flashy, even trashy sort of glamour, often imagined cruising in white BMWs or G-Wagons.

Khakpour's attempt to humanize and empathize with the "Teirangelis" through her novel

Despite the te ...

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The Representation and Perception of "Teirangelis" in Los Angeles

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

...

Actionables

  • Explore the diversity of Iranian-American culture by reading literature and watching films created by Iranian-American authors and filmmakers. This will provide a more nuanced understanding of the community beyond the stereotypes, allowing you to appreciate the rich tapestry of stories and experiences that exist within it.
  • Engage in conversations with individuals from the Iranian-American community to learn about their personal experiences. Approach these discussions with curiosity and an open mind, aiming to listen and understand rather than confirm pre-existing notions. This direct interaction can help break down stereotypes and build genuine connections.
  • Reflect on your own biases and stereotypes by journaling about your in ...

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