Renowned author and speaker Firoozeh Dumas spoke Thursday evening for the USF Humanities Institute on the need for sharing our stories with one another.
Dumas spoke to a crowd of around 200 people and shared humorous stories about her own life. She has a desire to use stories to unite people from all different cultures.
“I think that stories connect us,” Dumas said. “I think our souls need stories and we need connection because it makes us not be afraid.”
Born in Iran, Dumas moved with her family to California at age seven. After two years, the family moved back to Iran, only to return to California in another two years. It was in California that Dumas was first exposed to reading for fun.
“Is there such a thing as a flying carpet?” said …show more content…
She spoke of the hardships of life as an Iranian immigrant in a country where the only information people have of Iranian culture is what they see on the news.
“Only bad news is news,” said Dumas. “You’ll never find good news about any country on the evening news; what you’re really seeing is the worst of every country.”
Speaking with charisma and charm, Dumas addressed some misconceptions about her country. She jested about serious topics like the Iran hostage crisis but also made an Iranian family real.
“Some people tiptoe around certain topics,” said 20-year-old USF junior Shabia Syed. “I like that she just makes it funny, like, it’s not a big deal. If you want to ask, ask because it’s about your intentions.”
Syed is very involved in the Muslim Students Association at USF and attended the event on their behalf. The USF Humanities Institute wanted to bring a thought-provoking speaker who could help start a discussion. Dumas was an excellent choice because she related to the multicultural audience.
“The minute I start sharing my stories,” Dumas said, “something happens and it’s very disarming. And I think it gives people a chance to perhaps question their
Dumas spoke to a crowd of around 200 people and shared humorous stories about her own life. She has a desire to use stories to unite people from all different cultures.
“I think that stories connect us,” Dumas said. “I think our souls need stories and we need connection because it makes us not be afraid.”
Born in Iran, Dumas moved with her family to California at age seven. After two years, the family moved back to Iran, only to return to California in another two years. It was in California that Dumas was first exposed to reading for fun.
“Is there such a thing as a flying carpet?” said …show more content…
She spoke of the hardships of life as an Iranian immigrant in a country where the only information people have of Iranian culture is what they see on the news.
“Only bad news is news,” said Dumas. “You’ll never find good news about any country on the evening news; what you’re really seeing is the worst of every country.”
Speaking with charisma and charm, Dumas addressed some misconceptions about her country. She jested about serious topics like the Iran hostage crisis but also made an Iranian family real.
“Some people tiptoe around certain topics,” said 20-year-old USF junior Shabia Syed. “I like that she just makes it funny, like, it’s not a big deal. If you want to ask, ask because it’s about your intentions.”
Syed is very involved in the Muslim Students Association at USF and attended the event on their behalf. The USF Humanities Institute wanted to bring a thought-provoking speaker who could help start a discussion. Dumas was an excellent choice because she related to the multicultural audience.
“The minute I start sharing my stories,” Dumas said, “something happens and it’s very disarming. And I think it gives people a chance to perhaps question their