Lipstick Jihad

1. The struggle of identity: Straddling Iranian and American cultures

I was very pleased with this suit because it was my first adult woman suit that actually looked natural on me, instead of boxy and self-consciously suit-like. But inside my bag, glowing like pink kryptonite, was the accessory that would damn it to hell. A carefully folded, rose-colored head scarf.

Cultural duality. Azadeh Moaveni's journey illustrates the complex reality of being caught between two worlds. Growing up in California with Iranian parents, she constantly grappled with her dual identity. This struggle manifested in various aspects of her life:

• Language: Switching between Farsi and English, each invoking different parts of her personality
• Social norms: Navigating American social life while adhering to Iranian family expectations
• Cultural practices: Balancing traditional Iranian customs with American lifestyle

Identity exploration. Moaveni's return to Iran as an adult journalist forced her to confront and reconcile her conflicting identities. She discovered that her idealized notion of being "purely Iranian" was challenged by the realities of life in modern Iran. This journey of self-discovery led her to realize that her identity was not a simple binary choice, but a unique blend of both cultures.

2. The Islamic Revolution's impact on Iranian society and diaspora

To be Iranian in the United States during the 1980s meant living perpetually in the shadow of the hostage crisis.

Societal upheaval. The 1979 Islamic Revolution fundamentally transformed Iranian society, creating ripple effects that extended far beyond its borders. For Iranians living abroad, particularly in the United States, the revolution resulted in:

• Stigmatization: Being associated with a hostile regime and facing discrimination
• Cultural displacement: Struggling to maintain connections to a rapidly changing homeland
• Identity crisis: Grappling with conflicting loyalties and evolving cultural norms

Diaspora experience. The revolution forced many Iranians to flee their homeland, creating a large diaspora community. This exile experience shaped the lives of an entire generation:

• Nostalgia: Idealizing pre-revolutionary Iran and mourning lost opportunities
• Adaptation: Learning to navigate life in new countries while preserving cultural heritage
• Divided families: Coping with separation from loved ones and the challenges of maintaining long-distance relationships

3. The complexities of returning to Iran as a journalist

Iran was beginning to exhaust me. And like Reza, I was becoming paranoid, wondering whether my emails were being monitored, or if my apartment was bugged.

Professional challenges. Moaveni's experience as a journalist in Iran revealed the intricate dance required to navigate the country's political landscape:

• Censorship: Constantly negotiating what could be reported and how
• Surveillance: Living under the watchful eye of government authorities
• Source protection: Balancing the need for information with the safety of informants

Personal toll. The pressures of working as a journalist in Iran extended beyond professional concerns:

• Emotional strain: Dealing with the constant tension of potential repercussions
• Cultural readjustment: Relearning social norms and expectations
• Identity questioning: Confronting assumptions about her own "Iranianness"

4. The challenges of living under the Islamic Republic's restrictions

Being a young woman in the Iran of the Islamic Republic involved a certain degree of uncertainty over one's identity, or at the very least, over one's romantic priorities.

Social constraints. Life under the Islamic Republic imposed numerous restrictions on personal freedom, particularly for women:

• Dress code: Mandatory hijab and conservative clothing
• Gender segregation: Limited interaction between men and women in public spaces
• Moral policing: Constant threat of harassment or arrest for perceived violations

Adaptation strategies. Iranians, especially the younger generation, developed creative ways to navigate these restrictions:

• Private vs. public personas: Maintaining different behaviors and appearances in different settings
• Underground culture: Participating in secret parties and social gatherings
• Technological workarounds: Using VPNs and social media to access forbidden content and connect with the outside world

5. The reform movement's promise and limitations in Iran

The reformists, in their agenda and its pursuit, were highly flawed, but there was no alternative waiting in the wings—no charismatic student leader with an organized following, no ambitious Boris Yeltsin-type figure who saw personal gain in rocking the system.

Hope for change. The election of reformist President Mohammad Khatami in 1997 sparked optimism for gradual liberalization within the Islamic system:

• Press freedom: Temporary flourishing of independent newspapers and magazines
• Social relaxation: Easing of some restrictions on dress and behavior
• International relations: Attempts at improving Iran's image abroad

Systemic obstacles. Despite initial enthusiasm, the reform movement faced significant challenges:

• Conservative backlash: Hard-liners using their control of key institutions to block reforms
• Structural limitations: The supreme leader's ultimate authority constraining elected officials' power
• Popular disillusionment: Growing frustration with the slow pace of change and unfulfilled promises

6. The impact of global events on Iran's political landscape

Though Iran played no role in Sept. 11, it was, like Iraq and Palestine, contaminated by the fallout. President Bush declared Iran part of an "axis of evil," which did not bode well at the time, since it was becoming clear that Iraq, our neighbor and fellow axis member, was going to be invaded.

International tensions. Global events, particularly the September 11 attacks and subsequent U.S. foreign policy shifts, dramatically affected Iran's domestic and international situation:

• Increased isolation: Iran facing greater international pressure and sanctions
• Security concerns: Fear of potential U.S. military action against Iran
• Domestic repercussions: Hard-liners using external threats to justify internal crackdowns

Shifting alliances. The changing geopolitical landscape forced Iran to reassess its relationships:

• Regional dynamics: Iran's role in conflicts in neighboring countries (e.g., Afghanistan, Iraq)
• Nuclear ambitions: Increased focus on Iran's nuclear program as a source of international tension
• Diplomatic challenges: Navigating complex relationships with Europe, Russia, and China

7. The enduring power of family ties and cultural roots

For just a few seconds, life was as gloriously simple as that. Except that we were not falling in love. Not even a little.

Family bonds. Despite political upheavals and geographic distances, family connections remained a crucial anchor for Iranians:

• Emotional support: Relying on family networks for comfort and stability
• Cultural continuity: Preserving traditions and language through familial relationships
• Intergenerational conflicts: Navigating differences in values and expectations between generations

Cultural identity. The struggle to maintain cultural roots while adapting to new realities was a constant theme:

• Language preservation: Efforts to maintain Farsi fluency in diaspora communities
• Cultural practices: Adapting traditional customs to fit modern lifestyles
• Nostalgia vs. reality: Reconciling idealized memories with the complexities of contemporary Iran

8. The evolution of Iranian youth culture and social norms

Their conversations swung between Arabic, French, and English, but it was the variety of English that intrigued me. I heard British accents, and American ones, and among the American accents, I detected distinct strains—native, ten years post immigration, California, New Jersey.

Generational shift. Young Iranians, both inside the country and in the diaspora, developed unique cultural expressions:

• Hybrid identities: Blending Iranian heritage with global influences
• Social media revolution: Using technology to connect with peers and access global culture
• Fashion as resistance: Pushing boundaries of acceptable dress within Islamic guidelines

Cultural negotiations. Youth culture in Iran reflected the ongoing tension between tradition and modernity:

• Music and art: Emergence of underground scenes in rock, hip-hop, and contemporary art
• Dating and relationships: Navigating romantic lives within religious and social constraints
• Education and career aspirations: Balancing traditional expectations with global opportunities

9. The role of women in post-revolutionary Iran

Being Iranian amounted to psychological torture. It meant bringing a friend home from school, to find an old woman (there was perpetually a great-aunt or third cousin in town) with a flowered bonnet on her head kneeling in prayer, or sifting through a vast pile of dried herbs like a prehistoric gatherer.

Legal and social constraints. Women in post-revolutionary Iran faced numerous challenges:

• Legal discrimination: Unequal rights in marriage, divorce, and child custody
• Educational and professional barriers: Limited opportunities in certain fields
• Public sphere restrictions: Mandatory hijab and limitations on public behavior

Resistance and adaptation. Despite these obstacles, Iranian women found ways to assert their agency:

• Education: High rates of female university enrollment
• Professional achievements: Women excelling in various fields, including science and arts
• Activism: Ongoing struggles for legal reforms and greater social equality

10. The ongoing tension between tradition and modernity in Iran

I understood precisely what Siamak meant. He didn't need to say anything more, but he did.

Cultural contradictions. Modern Iran is characterized by the constant negotiation between traditional values and modernizing forces:

• Religious vs. secular influences: Balancing Islamic principles with global cultural trends
• Political divisions: Ongoing struggles between conservative and reformist factions
• Economic challenges: Navigating between state control and market liberalization

Individual experiences. This tension between tradition and modernity played out in the daily lives of Iranians:

• Personal choices: Deciding how to dress, socialize, and express oneself within societal constraints
• Career paths: Balancing traditional expectations with individual aspirations
• Relationships: Navigating between arranged marriages and modern dating practices

Last updated: January 23, 2025