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IRAN: What Ignorant Trump Supporters DON'T Know

With the recent killing of General Soleimani, and US-Iranian relations being at an all time low, I feel it is important now more than ever to write this MyTake. After Iran implemented a travel ban on U.S. citizens a couple years ago, I heard so many ignorant comments about the country from my fellow Trump supporters.

Iran implements travel ban on U.S. citizens. Like this post if you never wanted to go there anyways. -one ignorant Trump supporter wrote

Who would want to visit that shithole?- another ignorant Trump supporter wrote

The comments became even WORSE over the last few days.

Get those American athletes out of Iran, they will be killed up there.

Iranians are sharpening their knives as we speak.

Get ready to see some heads being chopped off.

Thanks for reading. If you've had the good fortune of meeting an Iranian person, share your experience in the comments below. It truly saddens me that Americans, especially Trump supporters have such an ignorant and inaccurate perception of Iran and its people. By far my biggest pet peeve is ignorant morons who spread misinformation, and actually believe what they are saying is true.That's why I feel obligated to stand up for Iran and its people. I will give the Trump supporters points in one area though, and that is that the majority of them at least have a general idea of what part of the world Iran is in. That being said, I know 99.999999999999% of Conservatives on the planet won't see this post. I know I will get a few hateful comments for it too. But if I can get at least ONE Trump supporter on GAG to change their perception of Iran and its people, I will feel that this post was not written in vein.

So without further adieu, get ready to learn what Iran and its people are REALLY like.

Physical Map of Iran
Physical Map of Iran

It's not "EYE RAN" people!

It honestly doesn't surprise me that so many Conservatives are so ignorant about this country if they don't even know how to pronounce it properly. So to start things off, I posted a video showing the proper way to pronounce "Iran", so if I ever hear you refer to it as "Eye Ran", I'm gonna punch you.

Iran is one of the most beautiful and geographically diverse nations on earth

Irans Diverse Landscapes
Iran's Diverse Landscapes

I know what you're thinking, if it's located in THIS part of the world it must be a desert wasteland right? WRONG! To the contrary, only around 4% of Iran is actually covered in desert. The country is sandwiched between and an inland sea and an ocean gulf, and contains several spectacular mountain ranges, the largest of which are the Zargos. Parts of these ranges contain volcanoes, waterfalls and travertine terraces, as well as limestone caverns. In addition, the country also contains large tracts of forests and steppe, as well as small areas of marshland and several offshore islands. So, how has Iran's wilderness managed to remain so pristine? Despite all the things that are wrong with the country's regime, one thing they have done right is conservation. In total, the country contains over 40 protected wilderness areas, 9 of which are national parks. Iranians are proud of their beautiful landscapes, and care deeply about conservation. Speaking of conservation......

Iran is home to some of the rarest animals on earth

Irans Incredible Wildlife
Iran's Incredible Wildlife

If you thought the only wildlife found in Iran are camels, guess again. Iran is actually one of the most biologically diverse nations on the planet. The country is home to several rare and endemic species, as well as animals you would never associate with the Middle East. These include the Syrian Brown Bear, the Asiatic Cheetah, the Persian Leopard, the Persian Onager or Wild Ass, Armenian Mouflon, Persian Gazelle, Striped Hyena and the Persian Fellow Deer. The country is also home to several species of snakes including the Persian Ratsnake, the Spider-tailed Horned Viper and the Caspian Cobra. That's right, I said COBRA! Then of course there are the usual sea turtles, birds of prey, jackals, hedge hogs, porcupines, wild boar, foxes, wolves and YES, wild camels.

Some Iranian cities are actually quite modern

Irans Modern Cities
Iran's Modern Cities

As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest misconceptions I hear about Iran is that it's a "shithole country." It is true that much of the country is still underdeveloped, but "shithole" is a very inaccurate generalization. Some of the larger cities, especially the capital Tehran, are actually quite modern, with towering skyscrapers, five star hotels, manicured parks, freeway and metro systems and pedestrian only zones. You could very well be in any major city in the U.S. or East Asia. In addition, crime is FAR lower than in American cities, and violent crime, especially against foreign tourists is practically unheard of.

Iran has a rich cultural heritage

Irans Impressive Cultural Sites
Iran's Impressive Cultural Sites

Okay, so maybe you DID think that Iran was nothing but a few modern skyscrapers surrounded by desert. If you DID, then once again, you are greatly misinformed. Iran is home to some of the most impressive archaeological and cultural sites on earth. Okay, you may have heard of Persepolis at some point, and you may have known that it's located in Iran, but I'm guessing you probably didn't know about the country's other impressive cultural sites. Yeah, I didn't think so. Once again, the Iranian people are extremely proud of their cultural heritage, and letting their many historic landmarks crumble probably wouldn't go over too well with the Iranian people, so this is another category in which the regime isn't entirely heartless. Iran currently has 24 UNESCO world heritage sights, and dozens more that could be up for nomination in the future. By far the country's second most famous site after Persepolis, is the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is Isfahan. Despite Shia Islam being the law of the land, the regime has allowed for the preservation of sites from other religions, including temples of Zoroastrianism (the world's oldest religion still in practice), and Armenian churches. The country is also home to ancient villages, amongst which is Kandovan, one of the last inhabited cave villages on earth. One can even find ancient rock art. Yeah see? Iran is interesting.

Iran has several major industries

Irans Many Industries
Iran's Many Industries

If you think Iran's only industries are terrorism and oil, boy are you wrong! Iranians are actually some of the most intelligent people on the planet, and young Iranians would rather attend university and start a business, then run off to join ISIS. So, what are some industries that Iran dominates in, aside from the obvious oil and energy? Iran's most profitable industry actually isn't oil, but caviar. Harvested from fish caught in the Caspian Sea, Iran's caviar is said to be the best in the world, and also the most expensive, selling at $80 an ounce. If you've ever eaten kaviar at a 5 star restaurant, chances are it came from Iran. Iran is also the world's leader in rhinoplasty (nose surgery). In addition, the country also has a successful biopharmaceutical industry, so successful in fact that it even has an UNESCO chair in the biology field. Aerospace is another major industry in Iran. In fact, Iran was the 9th country to put a domestically built satellite into orbit, and the 6th to send an animal into space. Here in the United States, many Iranian immigrants work in the banking and medical fields. Hmmmmmm, maybe I'll ask my teller for a nose job. :p

Iran has a modern art scene

Modern Iranian Art
Modern Iranian Art

Wait a minute! I thought Muslims weren't allowed to depict images of living things. Well, if you're starting to notice a pattern here, Iranians aren't as backwards as Muslims in some other parts of the world. Iran's modern art movement first developed in the 1940s, and has perceived despite the country's strict Islamic regime. Modern Iranian artists depict everything from every day life, to religious and women's right issues. Fact, many Iranian artists have had to move abroad to continue their work, but the fact that Iranian people create such pieces which would be considered provocative amongst much of the Muslim world, should be saying enough.

Iran hosts many colorful festivals

Irans Ornate Festivals
Iran's Ornate Festivals

Iran's annual calendar is filled with many colorful and ornate festivals, many of which are religious based. Norwuz or the Persian New Year is by far the most important and most elaborate, featuring large family meals and musicians and dancers in ornate traditional costumes. Yes, although dancing in public is technically illegal, traditional dances featuring both men and women are still performed in public during local festivals. The pomegranate has been a key symbol of Iran's culture for centuries, and the country's Armenian Christian minority, hold a pomegranate festival each fall. The date harvest festival is another food oriented festival in Iran that's held each September. Despite the country's strong Shia culture, this festival actually incorporates elements of early Persian Paganism. And if you want further proof that Iranians aren't a bunch of intolerant radical Islamists, the city of Marivan holds a street theater festival in September, featuring elements that definitely are't Islamic.

AND LASTLY.........

Iranians aren't a bunch of anti-American terrorists

Irans Wonderful People
Iran's Wonderful People

In case you haven't figured it out already, Iranians aren't a bunch of American hating terrorists. To the contrary actually, the majority of average Iranian people LOVE Americans, and understand that the views of our people don't necessarily align with the views of our government. Most Iranians hate their government as much as we do. Iranian women are allowed to drive and attend university, but 75% of Iranian women would choose NOT to wear a headscarf if given the choice. Iranian people, especially Iranian women have a very rebellious nature. Iranian women have been jailed for attended football matches, removing hijab and dancing in public, and Iranian actresses have been exiled from the country risking death, after posing nude or kissing men in true acts of feminist defiance and women's rights activism.

Also, it is important to note that Iranians aren't Arabs. Iran is a very ethnically diverse country, and Arabs only make up 2% of the Iranian population. Persian is the official language, and the majority of Iranians are Persians, followed by Azeris and Kurds (who's original homeland is in western Iran). Though some religions like Judaism and the Baháʼí Fait are still persecuted by the regime, there are Armenian Christians and Zoroastrians who practice their religion in Iran, albeit with some scrutiny and persecution. In fact, a rapidly growing number of Iranians are leaving Islam in favor of Christianity, much to the displeasure of the regime.

Lastly, and this is probably the most important thing I will say in this whole post, and if you only take ONE thing out of this post, I hope it's THIS. There has NEVER been a case of an Iranian national committing a terror attack against U.S. civilians. Not ONE of the 9/11 attackers was an Iranian. Not ONE of the 52 hostages of the Iranian Hostage Crisis were killed. Not ONE American prisoner has died while in Iranian custody. Iranians aren't running off to join ISIS. Even the regime themselves has confirmed that any revenge attack resulting in potential causalities, will be directed at US military personnel and CIA operatives, and not civilians. Just as it's always been. So, for all those ignorant Trump supporters who are freaking out that Iranians are gonna start chopping American heads off, relax. Iranians love the American PEOPLE, and are arguably the friendliest and most welcoming and hospital people on earth. Getting to know the Iranian people will immediately erase any negative preconceptions you may have about Muslims. If you're not convinced, do me a favor, skip that episode of Hannity, and instead check out Rick Steves' documentary on Iran. You will never say anything hateful about an Iranian again.

Thanks for reading. If you've had the good fortune of meeting an Iranian person, share your experience in the comments below.

IRAN: What Ignorant Trump Supporters DON'T Know
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