Original Photos: Via Bratz

Last summer, we covered a case in which a juror was removed for making slurs about Isaac Larian’s ethnicity, the Jewish, Iranian-born CEO of MGA, maker of Bratz, calling Iranians: “rude” and “thieves” who have “stolen other person’s [sic] ideas,” during a legal battle between Mattel and Barbie.

District Judge Stephen Larson chose to oversimplify the hate-filled remarks made during trial deliberations in 2008, and at the time, concluded (without any mention of himself): “Although the remarks offended and upset several of the jurors, the remarks did not, in any way, affect or influence the decision made by the jury.”

Despite the efforts of the Anti-Defamation League, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), the Iranian American Jewish Federation (IAJF), and the Iranian American Bar Association (IABA)–who all joined MGA and Larian in appealing the case with Mattel–Larson granted Mattel ownership of Bratz dolls.

“IABA joined in the amicus filing to the Ninth Circuit on the issue of juror bias against Mr. Larian, which went to the very issue being litigated—namely that all Iranians are ‘thieves’.  Based on its potential impact on Iranian-Americans and their equal treatment under the law, this issue was of great importance to us as a Bar Association, and of course to our members.” IABA representative, Salman Elmi tells Persianesque Magazine.

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NedaSpeaks.org

Moments after she was shot to death on June 20th, 2009 during the Iran election protests, images and video of her unjustified departure flooded the internet–and overnight, Neda’s neda (Persian: voice, call) was heard.

And now as the anniversary of her death approaches, Neda Agha Soltan is remembered; Continue Reading

Against the tumultuous backdrop of Iran’s 1953 CIA-backed coup d’état, the destinies of four women converge in a beautiful orchard garden, where they find independence, solace and companionship.

Neshat delves into the social and psychological dimensions of her characters, as a British and American backed coup topples a democratically elected government.

With subtlety and poetry, Women Without Men reveals the impact of historical and religious forces on females across the spectrum of Iranian society.

Shirin Neshat’s award winning film “Women Without Men” opens in NYC onMay 14th. 

Opening weekend followed by Q&A with Director Shirin Neshat.

Click here for more info about the film.

Click here to buy your tickets now!

On April 27th, 1986, HBO’s scheduled programming was interrupted unexpectedly.  A message appeared saying, “Good Evening HBO, from Captain Midnight. $12.95/month? No Way [Showtime/Movie Channel Beware]”.  It is now referred to as the Captain Midnight Incident, when John R. MacDougall decided to protest increased television fees for satellite viewers.  He hijacked HBO’s signal and projected his message into millions of American homes.  The heavy-set Florida native is considered to be a pioneer ‘hacktivist’.  John blended activism with his technical abilities.

Iran’s election aftermath in June 2009 is actually related to the Captain Midnight Incident.  Using new technology as a tool of creative dissent connects these two events: one, being a mischievous prank, and the other, a revolutionary movement.  

It has been nearly a year since images of Iran’s Green Movement flooded Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.  Social media sites and the internet were seen as the best avenues for information exchange and nothing more.  However, youth–both in Iran and around the world–spent days hacking and jamming Iranian government websites, state-controlled news outlets and communications networks.  The objective was to impede the operation of Iran’s security forces.  Outrage and urgency dominated forum discussions, where these ‘hacktivist’ cyber warriors discussed online targets and cyber weaponry.  One could easily sense the belief that cyber attacks could save Iranian lives.  This belief became reinforced after the death of Neda Agha-Soltan and countless other Green Movement demonstrators. 

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If you have…then it’s time for you to fill them out, and send them back!

It’s easy: Just fill out the Census form and mark question #9 “Some Other Race” and write “Iranian” or “Iranian-American” in the space provided.

Check out the Persianesque Magazine-sponsored Census 2010 PSA: “You Never Know” created by our generous friends at Boro Gohm Show.

*For more info please visit: IraniansCount.org.

Original Photo: AP/Hossein Salehi Ara

Watch Iranian writer (and much more), Maziar Bahari, talk to 60 Minutes‘ Bob Simon about his imprisonment and recent release from Tehran’s uber-jail Evin, in an interview that aired on Sunday November 22nd.

We’re just grateful that Bahari was able to make it out alive, despite the torture and interrogation (Basiji/Sepahi style) he says he experienced while in detainment at Evin prison in Iran.

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Some say that “titles are handed out like candy” in Iran, especially (and unfortunately) in certain bureaucratic circles.

But to forge an academic document (we mean degree) from Oxford University claiming that you got an honorary doctorate, might be pushing it.

In particular… when you don’t even bother to use spell check.

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U2 and Jay-Z at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards

U2′s efforts to be heard in Iran and by Iranians as a supportive outside voice during their concerts this year, we feel, secures their place as the official front runner, as far as musicians who have supported Iranians and their plight, in the aftermath of the Iranian election. 

Jay-Z’s decision to join the cause, and support the Iranian people’s fight for freedom and their basic human rights, can only be deemed as: dignified, compassionate, and hella’ hovafied!

However, his appearance on the stage with U2 performing Sunday Bloody Sunday in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany on November, 5th, 2009 at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2009, was not the first time Jay-Z has gone “Green” in support of Iranians. Continue Reading