21 Days in Iran
(Room Paradise Valley)
05 Jul 19
4:30 PM
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5:45 PM
Iran is in the headlines on a daily basis. President George W. Bush called it part of “The Axis of Evil." What do we really know about Iran and its people? My name is Sassan Afshin. I was born in Ahvaz, Iran, in 1963. In spring of 1976, when I was 12 years old, I found out I was coming to the U.S. I was in junior high, in one of the top schools in Tehran, and decided not to bother studying anymore. Two days before my departure in June 1976, I failed four of my six classes. Four days later, I was sitting on grass in a park in Chicago eating Kentucky Fried Chicken (original recipe). In 2006, I received my renewed Islamic Republic of Iran passport, and I returned to Iran for the first time in 30 years. I had such a great time, I went back again six months later. Fast forward to 2018, and I have just made another trip to my homeland. This time I paid more attention to details. I looked at everyday life, opened a bank account, visited many homes, and paid attention to people’s daily lives and their sometimes surprising political views. I’d like to share these images, memories, and stories about the people of Iran with you. This will be a personal perspective, including observations about Iranian politics, attitudes towards the U.S., the economy, and the impact of U.S. sanctions.