The Representation of Persian Youth
Bahar Motarjemi
With each passing year, Hollywood continues to diversify its films, tv shows, and all types of media. Different cultures, religions, and lifestyles have been introduced to audiences around the world. Hollywood has come a long way since its origins, however there is room for improvement. The amazing thing about the human population is that nobody’s life will ever be the same as another’s. If Hollywood aspires to capture unique perspectives, it should be equally open to highlighting Persian culture beyond a surface-level representation.
Hollywood has seen its share of films and shows with Persian actors, directors, and crew members. No doubt, these films have been impactful in their role of showing the American audience a Persian outlook on life. However, as with any culture, there is a certain complexity that can be easily overlooked. Having watched many Persian American movies and shows, I have often felt like there is one piece missing, a story that hasn’t been told very much; authentic, adolescent Persians. I realized early on that my cousins, my friends, and even kids I did not know were having a different experience than what we saw on our television screens. These days, I become so excited when I see even the smallest role in a coming-of-age movie held by a Persian actor. This is not enough, however, for the truth is that teenagers come from all different backgrounds, and Hollywood seems to overlook this simple fact.
A challenge of growing up Persian in the United States is trying to find one’s identity while navigating the culture, religious beliefs such as Islam, and societal expectations of living in America. The community many of us have grown up in deserves to see an authentic portrayal. Especially living in areas where there is a smaller Persian community, the clash of cultures and ideas can be confusing. The genre of the coming-of-age type television show may seem repetitive, but there’s still a need for more shows that reflect this unique life experience.
Regarding the religious aspect of Persian culture, there are a multitude of perspectives that could be portrayed. Growing up in a family that was not very religious, I realize that there are things I don’t fully understand or observe. Furthermore, there are other religions that Persians believe in, such as Christianity, Judaism, and many more. With such a diverse range of belief systems, it would be so beneficial to be represented more in the media, so that all Persians feel like they’ve been depicted in a genuine way.
The inclusion of the Persian community into a main Hollywood audience has been taken more seriously in recent years, but the fight for this inclusion has not ended. We need to be proactive in making sure that Persian youth are able to see characters that exemplify our unique point of view.
Bahar Motarjemi is a sophomore at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego. She is passionate about writing and looks forward to continuing her writing journey in the future.
