Even before they appeared in large numbers on Turtle Island, how did Iranians fluctuate between being classified as white or non-white in US law?

[grace_berberoglu]

The fluctuation between being white or non-white must have been exhausting for Iranians. Even before they stepped foot onto Turtle Island, and into the US, Iranians have been used as a criterion for whiteness and non-whiteness. For example, South Asians would describe their similarities to Iranians as a way to prove their white, whereas Armenians and Arabs would highlight their differences from Iranians to prove their whiteness. Maghbouleh presents an interesting case where Halladjian, an Armenian claimant from 1909, and their attorney present whiteness in contrast to Iranians. They would describe Iranians as Persian foreign invaders that are also fire worshippers. Armenians would also highlight their Christianity in order to position themselves as “on the European side”.
This part of Maghbouleh’s work made me laugh (it’s okay, I can laugh at myself). This fire worshipping they discuss comes from Zoroastrianism, a religion that Armenians once took part in as well. Furthermore, this idea of being European based on Christianity just seemed rather peculiar to me. While yes, they share the same religion, but their culture, like their language, foods, traditions, holidays, are completely different. I personally think this comes from the concept of Orientalism. The migrants that are trying to identify as white are aligning with the beliefs of Orientalism, in which the West is superior to the East. Are they just saying these things to immigrate easier? Possibly. But the belief in trying to become European or being “white-washed” is still very relevant till this day.

On a more personal note, I found myself relating to Leyla at the beginning of the chapter. I am a very, and I mean VERY white passing Armenian/Middle Easterner. My mom even gave me a white name. At first glance, no one thinks twice about my ethnic background. It is only until someone sees my last name that they start to hesitate. I've been called Romanian and even British??? (the weirder part was that it was based on my voice!) Some of my classmates in cegep once joked that I was like Oscar Isaac (racially ambiguous). My parents seem to not care about how they are identified, but they care about finding other Armenians and Turks (though they don't say it, I think they like the idea of not being alone in the West). All this to say, I understand Leyla's struggles as identifying as non-white, but being perceived as white. You want to be proud of your culture, but you have nothing to show for it.