I had a friendly conversation with my co-worker, who asked me to explain what Iranians are like economically,culturally, and politically?
That was a hard question to answer!
Iranians are people with a rich history, but we’ve been attacked by different countries, targeting our natural resources and trying to weaken our strategic geographic role in the region. As a result, we are now a broken people, having lost thousands of years of culture and history. We often find any excuse to brag about our past, trying to reconnect with it.
Our nation of nearly 100 million people can be categorized into several groups:Government insiders: Those who live off the country’s wealth and prevent others from benefiting.
The wealthy elite: Individuals who exploit opportunities to become richer, creating a vast divide between rich and poor. They live lavishly, often through corruption, and build extravagant projects.
Professionals and merchants: People with a decent life who avoid political issues, indulge in luxuries privately, and discuss the country’s problems at home.
Middle to lower class: This includes teachers, high-end workers, and small traders who face financial pressures. Among them, a small fraction speaks out against the government but finds it nearly impossible to leave the country.
The poor: The majority who remain silent, unable to enjoy life. The younger generation in this group sometimes speaks out, frustrated by the lack of a future and inspired by the world outside.
Outside Iran, the situation is different:Long-time expatriates: Those who have settled abroad, with children and grandchildren who often don’t speak Farsi. They maintain cultural traditions like Nowruz and live glamorous lives, concerned with social status and material success.
Historical comparison: Our destruction has been gradual and pervasive, leaving us feeling dead inside. Yet, we retain our intellectual prowess in various fields and our ability to analyze and critique.
Despite our tragic history and current struggles, we are still trying to mend our broken chain and find a way forward.
It’s hard to explain our situation in a short conversation, and even when discussing it, I often lose track of the subject because the content is too massive and complicated. After all, I hope this gives you a closer understanding of our reality!