Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation, Raising Nimdrunis, an interview with Tehran van Ghastri.

Hello, my name is Leila Shams, and today's interview is with Tehran Van Gassi, a half-African-American,

half-Iranian comedian who reads and speaks Farsi fluently. I originally wanted to interview Tehran to ask him about being raised in a half-Iranian family

and how his father managed to keep him interested in the Persian language and culture.

But our interview happened a couple weeks after the Black Lives Matter movement erupted in the United States and all over the world,

following the death of George Floyd.

I had a lot of questions about his unique perspective

of being half black and half Iranian, and particularly about the role of Iranian Americans in this

movement. I learned so much from our conversation and hope that you will too. Let's get right on with

it. So Tehran, thank you so much for talking with me today.

Thank you so much.

I hope my introduction is amazing, by the way.

I need an amazing, I don't want a normal introduction.

And I'm going to tell you something, Leila.

Yes.

I'm actually very upset with you, and I'm actually kind of annoyed.

I've gone through your shows you and I'm actually kind of annoyed.

I've gone through your shows and I have to admit it's actually very hurtful and disappointing and I'm not going to lie.

What's been hurtful and disappointing?

The fact that you have a show called Raising Neem Roonies and you have not had me on this

before I am exactly what your show is.

Like, how have I not been on this show?

...