Wednesday, March 11, 2009

"Persian Barbie"

The Barbie Doll in American Culture stands as an icon saying, "You can be anything that you please!" Just like all of Barbie's fine accomplishments in a 50 year time span.



Dolls help girls adopt adult behaviors simply because the Barbie Doll is a woman. Kids do not own mansions, sports cars, or eleborate items. Well, at least not the majority of them. If anything Barbie helps young girls set goals. And the last time I spoke to a financial advisor goal setting is crucial!



Persian dress code is relatively conservative compared to American styles of dress. Women are required to cover their hair, neck, and arms. If you instructed Barbie to do that she might pass out or say, "Excuse me, what did you just say?" After all, she wants to show off her latest hairstyle, tatooed arms, or mouth dropping bathing suit that her long legs look absolutely flawless in.



When it comes down to it, Porochista Khakpour has been brought to live in a society where she felt free to dress as she pleases. Just like Barbie! Which is completely welcome in the United States. May be a little too welcome at times, but that is another story!



Khakpour, in my opinion, felt welcomed, respected, and appreciated not only for her adpted western ways, but how she molded her culture into western styles. She is America's "Persian Barbie."

Monday, March 9, 2009

Kew Gardens, NY

According to Wikipedia, "As of 2000 U.S. Census, the demographics were 66.2% White, 13.0% Asian, 7.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 7.4%,Other and Hispanic or Latino were 20.0% of the population.

Kew Gardens is ethnically diverse. A large community of Jewish refugees from Germany took shape in the area after the Second World War which is reflected until now days by the number of active synagogues in the area. The neighborhood attracted many Chinese immigrants after 1965, about 2,500 Iranian Jews arrived after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, and immigrants from China, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, the former Soviet Union, India, Bangladesh and Korea settled in Kew Gardens during the 1980s and 1990s. Currently, Kew Gardens has a growing population, of Bukharian Jews from Uzbekistan, alongside a significant Orthodox Jewish community.[1] Also many immigrants from Central America, and South America call Kew Gardens their home, as well as those from Japan. Kew Gardens is well known from being a residential area, with a mix of one family houses with price ranging from 1M up, complex apartments, co-ops and others converted and on the way or being converted as condominiums. P.S 99 is the local school. A major 5 stars hotel in under development on 82 Avenues, reflecting the modernization of the area.

Surrounded by Forrest Park, residents at Kew Gardens enjoy what many manhattanites lack: greenery and quiet nights. The Park which is very well preserved in one of the largest in Queens, has a private road where residents can jog or walk all year round. There is some horse back riding paths and hiking paths actively used by residents. The convenience of the Kew Gardens station of the Long Island Railroad Gardens and the E-F train on the corner of Queens Boulevard and Union Turnpike, (at the Kew Gardens station. make the area an excellent choice to live in. Some of the Queens courts are located at Kew Gardens on the side of Queens Boulevard. This government offices bring a floating, diverse community during the day.

The neighborhood is also teeming with airline personnel because it proximity to the Q10 airport buses and as a matter of fact Delta Airlines as well as other airlines have special shuttle serving pilots and flight attendants staying at Kew Gardens. The increase of the Korean population followed the renovation and rededication of the First Church of Kew Gardens, which offers Korean-language services. Kew Gardens is also economically diverse: from medium class young professionals to upper middle class. Even the local cuisine reflects this diversity in Kew Gardens with Russian, Italian, Indian, Pakistani, Uzbek, dining available to residents and visitors. In recent years, young professionals and Manhattanites looking for greenery, park-like atmosphere and spacious apartments have moved to the area. Kew Gardens continues to change as these families move in.

More recently, Guyanese and Indian Americans have begun to move to Kew Gardens, as much of the south-central portion of Queens has a large Indo-Caribbean population."

I couldn't agree more with what Wikipedia has to say about Kew Gardens, NY.