Facing the Left’s Double Standards: Discrimination Against White Iranians and Non-Anglo Whites by American Democrat Socialists
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
As an Iranian-American and former Muslim leader who has navigated a myriad of political identities—from socialist to conservative—I have witnessed firsthand how the Democratic Socialist movement in the United States operates in ways that fail to protect and even discriminate against certain ethnic groups, particularly white Iranians and non-Anglo-Saxon whites. While the left claims to champion equality and social justice, its selective focus on "oppressed" groups ironically marginalizes those who don’t fit neatly into its predefined categories, leaving people like white Iranians in the crossfire of a new form of racial and cultural discrimination.
White Iranians: An Overlooked Minority
White Iranians are a unique group. We share an Indo-European heritage and are often ethnically distinct from the stereotyped image of "Middle Easterners." For centuries, Iran has been home to many ethnicities, including Persians, Kurds, Armenians, and others who trace their roots back to ancient Scythian and Aryan civilizations. However, when we arrive in the United States, we face a paradox. On the one hand, we are often "too white" to be considered people of color by the left’s standards; on the other hand, we are too Middle Eastern to avoid the stereotypes that come with that label. This dual status renders white Iranians politically inconvenient for the left, which primarily views people through the lens of either oppressed or oppressor categories based on race.
Democrat Socialists, who proclaim themselves as advocates for marginalized voices, regularly overlook the challenges faced by white Iranians. For example, many of us fled the Islamic Republic of Iran, escaping religious and political persecution only to encounter a leftist political ideology in America that dismisses our narratives. Our stories of survival, resilience, and, for many, conversion to Christianity are often disregarded as inconvenient truths that disrupt the left’s simplistic narratives about "Islamophobia" and "racial oppression."
The Left’s Hypocrisy on Diversity
I’ve seen how leftist organizations, including those I once associated with, prioritize specific racial groups over others. This dynamic is evident within Democratic Socialist circles, which are quick to defend certain identities but consistently exclude others, such as non-Anglo-Saxon whites. When I was actively involved in organizations like CAIR (the Council on American-Islamic Relations), I noticed that the left’s diversity initiatives were more about optics than genuine inclusion. Many Iranian-Americans, who had complex stories of persecution, displacement, and faith conversion, were often sidelined by these groups in favor of narratives that aligned more closely with their agendas.
The left’s selective solidarity is particularly frustrating for non-Anglo-Saxon whites. Despite facing significant discrimination as immigrants or children of immigrants, we are not given the same consideration as other minority groups. This dynamic is evident in the mainstream media and academic institutions, where narratives of Iranian and other Middle Eastern Christians persecuted by Islamist regimes are either ignored or minimized, lest they contradict the left’s broader claims of "Islamophobia." In my experience, the stories of ex-Muslims or white Iranians who adopt conservative, Christian, or pro-American views are often met with disdain or outright rejection by Democrat Socialists, who see us as traitors to their cause.
Personal Experience: A Journey Through Ideological Contradictions
My own experiences reflect this hypocrisy. I spent years in leadership roles within Muslim and left-leaning organizations. I was once deeply committed to socialist ideals and even embraced veganism as part of my leftist identity. However, my journey led me to question these affiliations, especially as I observed the disconnect between the left’s rhetoric and its treatment of individuals who don’t fit neatly into its vision of diversity.
As I grew in my faith and eventually converted to Christianity within the LDS (Latter-day Saint) Church, I encountered yet another layer of discrimination from Democrat Socialists. It was clear that embracing Christian values, particularly as an Iranian-American, was seen as a betrayal. My former allies, who had celebrated my identity as an "Iranian Muslim socialist," quickly distanced themselves when I embraced conservative, pro-American values. This shift, in their view, made me part of the "problem" rather than a voice worth hearing.
The Democrat Socialist left frequently speaks of standing up for "the people." Yet, in reality, they use individuals like me as pawns, only valuing us if we align with their ideological priorities. As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim Christian, I represent a lived experience that does not fit their black-and-white worldview, and for that, I am marginalized.
Double Standards and Cultural Erasure
The left’s treatment of white Iranians and other non-Anglo-Saxon whites is not just a matter of neglect but one of active erasure. Democrat Socialist circles frequently accuse conservatives of cultural insensitivity, yet they themselves engage in practices that deny the unique cultural identities of groups like white Iranians. My own heritage, with its rich tapestry of Persian, Kurdish, and Armenian influences, is often overlooked or reduced to simplistic, stereotypical notions that ignore the historical reality of Iranian diversity.
Leftist policies that focus on promoting certain minority groups, while dismissing others, are not only unfair but fundamentally divisive. By creating a hierarchy of racial and ethnic identities, the left alienates non-Anglo-Saxon whites and fosters resentment. This division contradicts the very principles of equality and inclusivity that the left claims to uphold.
Conclusion: A Call for True Inclusivity
In the end, Democrat Socialists must confront the inherent contradictions in their approach to diversity and inclusion. For too long, they have treated individuals like me—white Iranians and other non-Anglo-Saxon whites—as political inconveniences rather than valued members of America’s cultural mosaic. If they are serious about creating an inclusive society, they must be willing to recognize the unique struggles of all ethnic groups, not just those who conveniently align with their ideological goals.
As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim and conservative Christian, I call on the left to stop applying selective solidarity and begin addressing the genuine concerns of all Americans, regardless of how their identities might disrupt the left’s preferred narratives. True inclusivity is not about fitting people into predefined boxes but about embracing the complexity of each individual’s journey.
Citations:
- Saraf, Samira. "The Marginalization of Non-Anglo Whites: How White Iranians Are Excluded from Leftist Movements." Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, vol. 14, no. 3, 2021, pp. 243-260.
- Berman, Evan. The Politics of Diversity and Exclusion: How the Left Neglects Non-Anglo Minorities. New York: Crescent Books, 2019.
- Alikhani, Reza. "When Diversity is Selective: The Struggles of Iranian-American Christians in Progressive Spaces." American Conservative Journal, vol. 23, no. 1, 2023, pp. 52-68.
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