Metro Transit employees come from many cultures and backgrounds. To celebrate this diversity, employees who are proud to share their heritage and identity will be regularly featured on the Riders' Almanac blog. Read more stories here.
Tell us a little bit about your background.
I was born in Tehran, Iran’s capitol, in 1993. My mother and father met in a hotel sheltering people who fled the city they lived in, Abadan, when it was attacked at the start of the Iraq-Iran war. A few years later my parents got green cards and immigrated to northern California, where other family members had moved. They were the last in our family to immigrate and wanted to move back to Iran. But they connected with old friends who lived in Eden Prairie and visited them in Minnesota. They found the pace of life much more enjoyable here and thought there would be better opportunities, so they never left.
What was it like growing up in an Iranian household in Minnesota?
There were a lot of difficulties growing up in an American society as a foreigner. Iranians aren’t super-prevalent in Minnesota and there are a lot of stereotypes because of the tension between the U.S. and Iran. But my parents found a great community of friends here and we retained many of the core components of our heritage. My sister and I were only allowed to speak Farsi in the home, we always celebrated the Persian New Year in March and my mom is a super-chef who ran her own Persian catering company. My friends were always clamoring for her food, but I viewed food as a marker of differences. I’d go to friends’ houses and they’d be eating hot dogs and chicken nuggets while we were having stews and lamb. Now, the food is something I cherish more and more, and a way to share my identity with other people.
So, how did your parents make a new life here?
Both of my parents worked in city planning in Tehran. Here, my dad really had to start at square one to take care of his family. He worked two jobs, at Target and Burger King. Later, he began driving a taxis and limos and eventually opened his own limousine business, which he’s been running ever since. My mom earned an associate degree in architectural drafting and now works at MnDOT. Each of them worked very hard so my sister and I could get a good education and pursue degrees in whatever field we chose.
What’s something you wish people here understood about Iranians?
There’s a lot of distrust between the U.S. and Iranian governments because of the way the U.S. has interfered with politics there and the way Iran has thwarted U.S. interests abroad. But the people of Iran, there and around the world, are very generous and friendly people who like sharing their customs with whoever’s interested in learning more about it.
If you are interested in learning more, Arman recommends viewing the episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown that was recorded in Iran, which is a rare, entertaining, and educational overview of life within Iran. More information can also be found through the Farhang Foundation.