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January 18, 2022

Othering Iran: How Dehumanization of Iranians Undermines Rights at Home

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TOPLINES

• The systematic demonization of Iran in US political discourse and media has led to the dehumanization of Iranians, and by extension, Americans of Iranian heritage.

• Ongoing demonization of Iran has adversely impacted U.S. foreign policy decisions and undermines rights at home.

• Dehumanization of an entire people has led to policies that have devastated millions of innocent people in Iran and hurt the Iranian-American community in the United States.

• Discriminatory stereotypes in popular culture, unjust bank accounts closures, and immigration bans are just some of the harmful real-world impacts.

• Despite historical mutual grievances, the U.S. and Iran are not fated for conflict, a peaceful path is possible.

>> After reading the report, take action by telling President Biden and Congress to protect the rights of Iranian Americans.

Introduction

The systematic demonization of Iran, and by extension Iranian people and those of Iranian heritage, is so prevalent in U.S. political discourse that it permeates American society and popular culture as well. This process has not only led to the dehumanization of an entire group of people, but it also informs U.S. policy positions on Iran. The real-life consequences of these policies are evident in the discriminatory closures of Iranian-American bank accounts, the freezing of transactional accounts simply for using words like “Iran” or “Persian,” immigration policies that prevent family members from Iran to visit their Iranian-American family, discriminatory questions when entering the United States as a U.S. person, and an overall sense of hostility that has been experienced in numerous ways. Additionally, the collective punishment of sanctions and fear of possible war with Iran impacts Iranian Americans by hurting their families who still reside in Iran. This report provides an overview of the history of U.S.-Iran relations—especially the historical backdrop of their mutual grievances and ongoing hostilities—as well as a historical picture of the U.S. narrative on Iran, which has been shaped over the last four decades with the consistent demonization of Iran and, as a result, Iranians themselves. Drawing from primary sources as well as personal testimonies from the Iranian-American community, this report collects these sources in one place to understand the weight and ubiquity of harmful discourse on Iran, as well as looking at how it has impacted the community. Finally, the report will provide policy recommendations to address how to improve the current situation, ensure equal treatment for Iranian Americans in the United States, and enact policies based on facts on the ground rather than zealous hostility.  The below report explains how the dehumanization of Iranians undermines U.S. policy objectives and hurts the Iranian-American community at home, and outlines recommendations to improve the current state of affairs.  niac_2201_iapanelprep3-2

This expert virtual panel marks the launch of a groundbreaking report examining the rights of Iranian Americans in the United States and the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

“Othering Iran: How Dehumanization of Iranians Undermines Rights at Home” authored by Dr. Assal Rad, examines the roots of many of the problems: Discriminatory stereotypes in popular culture, unjust bank account closures, immigration bans, crushing sanctions on loved ones, and detentions and interrogations at airports that have impacted Iranian Americans.

The discussion features Dr. Assal Rad, Dr. John Ghazvinian, Dr. Niaz Kasravi, and Dr. Neda Maghbouleh moderated by Yara Elmjouie.

Civil Rights in the Iranian American Community

Dr. Assal Rad discussing civil rights within the Iranian-American Community on NIAC’s panel, “Othering Iran: How the Dehumanization of Iran Undermines Rights at Home”.

The discussion focused on the demonization found in U.S. policy has lead to discriminatory stereotypes in popular culture, unjust bank accounts closures, and immigration bans are just some of the harmful real-world impacts.

Shahs of Sunset vs Mullahs: The Good-Bad Iranian Dichotomy

Dr. Neda Maghbouleh, Associate Professor of Sociology & Canada Research Chair in Migration, Race, and Identity at the University of Toronto discusses the Good/Bad Iranian Dichotomy in Media Coverage.

Where does the U.S. foreign policy of dominance originate?

Dr. Assal Rad discussing the origins of the U.S. policy of dominance on NIAC’s panel, “Othering Iran: How the Dehumanization of Iran Undermines Rights at Home”.

The discussion focused on the demonization found in U.S. policy has lead to discriminatory stereotypes in popular culture, unjust bank accounts closures, and immigration bans are just some of the harmful real-world impacts.

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