Name: Sanaz Banu

Home: CA, California

What country did you emigrate from? Iran

When did you emigrate to the U.S.? 1988

How did you arrive in the U.S.? Plane!

Why did you immigrate to the U.S.? During the Shah of Iran, my father worked for the Iranian national security....During the uprising in Iran, we were vacationing in Texas. Over everyone's objections my father felt obligated to return to Iran. Soon after his return, he went missing like many of his colleagues. For 45 days my grandfather searched for my father by going from jail to jail asking if he was in custody or executed, but not given an answer. On the 45th day, a revolutionary guard told my grandfather that they did in fact had my father in custody, and he was going to be executed the next morning at 6am. My grandfather was told to go home, "wear black, come pick up the corpse at 8am."
That night my grandfather died of a heart attack, 3 days later at his funeral, my grandmother suffered a fatal heart attack too.
Currently I am a very active member of the Iranian Community, and involved in many different organiztions. I have also been published numerous times. I mostly write about stereo types held about Iranians in America, growing up between two cultures, and human rights violations. In 2001, I was invited to an Iranian TV show which was broadcasted internationally. I read some of my poetry, and briefly talked about the affects the Isalmic Revolution has had on my family. Shortly thereafter I learned that my name was put on the black list of the Islamic Repulic! (Funny story of how I learned this info)....
Today, both my sister and I are attorneys! Coincidence?!!

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