[Ecc22]

I have a question regarding ethnicity, I know it is mostly what you choose yourself (though actions) but I am more interested in seeing how other people would view my ethnic background if they knew it

If my mother was born in Iran and spoke Persian, although her family is of very distant Iraqi descent, ( with her parents speaking mainly Arabic, not Persian), and my father being Iranian, born and raised in the Kurdish part of the country and speaking Kurdish along with Persian, what would my ethnic group be since my background is so mixed.

I was born in Tehran and only spoke Persian before moving away from Iran, and although I love Persian history I feel that this ethnic background of mine, along with the fact that I am not Muslim, makes me seem as "non-Persian" in the eyes of others

[Wondergirl]

Your heritage/ethnic background is Persian, Mideastern.

You are a citizen of which country?

[Ecc22]

I am Iranian citizen as I was born there, but I have not set a foot in that country since I was only a little child as the treatment of non-Muslims in that country is despicable, and I am also a Swedish citizen.

But doesn't my fathers Kurdish background and my mothers distant Iraqi roots affect my ethnicity in anyway or is that more background?

[Ecc22]

I am Iranian citizen as I was born there, but I have not set a foot in that country since I was only a little child as the treatment of non-Muslims in that country is despicable, and I am also a Swedish citizen.

But doesn't my fathers Kurdish background and my mothers distant Iraqi roots affect my ethnicity in anyway or is that more background?

[Wondergirl]

I'm sorry. I meant Iraqi, not Persian. Your dad as a Kurd is Iraqi, isn't he?

I'm fourth-generation German and have never set foot in Germany, but I still consider my ethnic background, my heritage, as German.

[Ecc22]

No my father is Iranian Kurd, he lived in Tehran for many years before my birth

[Wondergirl]

I'm so sorry. I have things all mixed up. That's what happens when I cook Easter dinner while posting on this site.

Whatever mix of ethnic heritages you have inside you, they sound like wonderful ones. Your food heritage alone is amazing!

[excon]

although I love Persian history I feel that this ethnic background of mine, along with the fact that I am not Muslim, makes me seem as "non-Persian" in the eyes of others

Hello E:

You'll NEVER measure up to the standards of "others", so why even try? Pick what you are, and BE it.

excon

[tomder55]

I think Kurdish is a perfectly acceptable ethnic backround and by all rights Kurdistan should be an autonomous nation.
I met a few non-Muslim Iranians while in Tehran. That was before the fall of the Shah of course.

I have 2 ethic backgrounds .But when asked I always say American.