Persian Heritage Month

Virginia Persian Heritage Month

In March of 2007, in my hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. My father took upon himself the initiative, to make the month of March; Persian Heritage Month in the City of Las Vegas. I remember that day clearly. We were surrounded by all our close friends and family. I was only 8 years old. Carrying my stuffed plushy dog into the Las Vegas City Council. Overjoyed that our people and our culture got recognized in this way. As a first generation American. Watching this merge between my heritage, and my birth country, take place was astonishing. It showed me the importance of representation. And the importance giving back towards the greater good, of the community.

FAST FORWARD TO THE YEAR 2024, I went ahead, wrote up my original proclamation (as shown below); to present to the Governor’s office. And I can now proudly say, that Governor Glenn Younkin, has granted my request; and deemed the month of March as Persian Heritage Month in the state of Virginia. Making us the first state ever, in the history of the United States to have a month dedicated to Persians. And yes, for further clarification, I researched into all 50 states individually. And though some cities, like Las Vegas, may have achieved this. No state has ever done so, until now. And I will continue, each and every year, to renew this proclamation to ensure that Persian Heritage Month continues to live on.

May this achievement, even begin to be able to give back, to the generation of Iranians before me. Who sacrificed everything, to give my generation the means to thrive. May it pay my respects, to the decades of hard work and determination you have put to provide for us. For without your perseverance, I wouldn’t even have anything to write about in my proclamation. As you now pass on the torch to us, to make our mark in this country. May we only ever continue, to make you proud.

And may this achievement bring pride to the generation of children after me. Who share the exact feelings I felt, when existing between two worlds. Feeling too Persian for the Americans, and too American for the Persians. I know with people pointing our your differences, you might feel more ashamed, rather than proud of your culture, and who you are. You might wish that you could sweep this aspect of yourself under the rug, and just blend in with all the other kids, the way you feel expected to. Your facial features, the language you speak, your name, the food you eat, the accent your family has, the celebrations of your culture. All of these, are things to lean into, not run away from. You might be born in this country, but Iran and our Persian heritage is alive within you. Beautifully braided and entangled with the duality of both cultures that you exist within, just as your life should be.

Let us all take every March, the month of Persian Heritage Month, as a time of peace and reflection. A time to breathe and be proud of all that has brought us here. And all that have lived before us who have kept our culture alive. This is a historical moment that has been created that will outlive us all. A contribution that will be given to our great grandchildren, living in this land of freedom, that never got the chance to know us. A glory to our people. A gift to us.

Happy Persian Heritage Month Everyone!

With Love, Roya

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK

Governor Glenn Younkin for signing the proclamation. Ashley Traficant, the Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, with the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; for taking the proclamation I wrote, and creating a beautiful finalized version. Former State Senator, Siobhan Dunivant for providing advice on how to navigate the proclamation through the approval process. And my father, who has set a wonderful example for me my entire life.