Conditional Belonging: The Racialization of Iranians in the Wake of Anti-Muslim Politics

Iranians have a complex and contradictory relationship with race, with many Iranian Americans remaining marginalized and experiencing racial and political stigma. Conditional Belonging explores these contradictions through a comparative analysis of the Iranian diasporic experience in the United States and Germany, focusing on the different processes of racialization of the immigrants. It highlights how international events, global political policy, and national social climates influence the extent to which Iranians define themselves as members of their adopted nations, resulting in radically different experiences of belonging.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2023
Publisher: New York University Press

Iranians have a complex and multifaceted relationship with race, which is often characterized by contradictory perceptions and experiences. While the US census categorizes Iranian Americans as "white," many individuals within this community still face marginalization and endure daily racial and political stigma. In contrast, Iranian Germans who have settled in Germany for decades are often regarded as good foreigners, yet they continue to experience marginalization and discrimination, highlighting the limitations of integration and citizenship.

Conditional Belonging: A Comparative Analysis of the Iranian Diasporic Experience in the United States and Germany delves into these apparent contradictions by undertaking a comparative analysis of the Iranian diasporic experience in these two countries. The book focuses particularly on the different processes of racialization experienced by immigrants from Iran. Drawing from eighty-eight in-depth interviews with first- and second-generation Iranians residing in California and Hamburg, author Sahar Sadeghi sheds light on how international events, global political policies, and national social climates shape the extent to which Iranians identify as members of their adopted nations.

The findings of Conditional Belonging are insightful and provide a deeper understanding of how unpredictable and fluid a sense of belonging to a country can be. The book highlights the experiences of Iranians living in Western nations, where they may have situational access to whiteness, while those in Germany face distinct challenges. The combination of these experiences leads to perceptions, narratives, and experiences of "being but not belonging," as the author describes it.

Conditional Belonging is an important and timely book that broadens our understanding of the complexities surrounding race, identity, and belonging. It sheds light on the experiences of marginalized communities and challenges us to consider the broader societal implications of these experiences. By examining the Iranian diasporic experience through a comparative lens, the book offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by immigrants worldwide and contributes to the ongoing dialogue on diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479805013