From: yaser@uxh.cso.uiuc.edu (Ala)
Subject: Re: I don't know anymore
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 15:21:41 GMT

Reza Modarres <RMODARR@auvm.american.edu> writes:


>     I used to think we are a great nation. I used to believe in Iranian way
>     of life and Iranian value system. I used to believe that educated Iranians
>     have added so much to our culture and are having an impact on the negative
>     aspects of our culture. I used to think people should be judged based on
>     who they are and what they are about regardless of race, color ... you
>     you know the rest... I used to hold dearly the idea that we "the great
>     nation of Iran with 2 zillion years of civilization" are void of basic
>     faults. I used to think that Iranians who've spent a life time abroad,
>     who have the IQ to distinguish between shit and shazma, have selected the
>     best of both worlds.  But, I am sorry to report on my latest findings...

Ali the son of Abdullah says:
Al elmo elmaan (there are two type of knowledge)
elmul matboo' va elmul masmoo' (the heard knowledge and the acquired knowledge)

A science degree is only an indication that you have passed through a
certain educational process (heard knowledge).  But for this knowledge
to become an acquired knowledge one must not only understand it but
put it to work.  Only then this would be that person's knowledge itself.
by memorizing itself one cannot claim to be knowledgable.  by getting
higher degrees one cannot be called a civilized person.

there are many stories in our literature regarding this.
for example one of this stories is regarding the distinction between
elm and helm.  a young person goes to the far places to gain knowledge.
after finishing his studies and on return home he is confronted with
an old man who is a man of wisdom.  after a brief encounter (unfortunately
i do not remember the details of the encounter) he realizes that he has
still not digested all the knowledge he has gained.  he turns back and
looks for putting his knowledge to work and learning about how his
knowledge can make a difference in his life (helm).

>     I am coming to the realization that civilization and culture are invesrly
>     proportional. I am sorry to say that a great number of us, having spent a
>     great deal of time in a so called civilized culture, having had to
>     misfortune of being discriminated against, having had the opportunity of
>     hoding the so called "basic freedom", having had the chance to reach our
>     ultimate personal, social, ....goal, are still suffereing from what may
>     have led us to come to this land. I am sorry to say I still see prejudice,
>     envy, dark-heartdness, ... in a large number of us. I am sorry to say that
>     I am simply disappointed in what many of us have accomplished and yet not
>     accomplished. I am just too sorry to continue putting ourselves down.

i guess you are refering to a social cisis among iranians abroad.
i am also very sorry to say that during years of living in GHORBAT
i have suffered a lot more from my country than enjoyed their company.
is it because the iranians overseas are from a certain social class?
is it because of all the hardships we have gone through in the past 10-13 years?
is it related to he social crises back home?
or it is just the way we are?

i know that there are a large number of iranians who have the same problem
when dealing with iranians.

what seems to be the problem?

>RezA

Ala