Sara Rouhi and Maureen Rouhi
Recorded
December 14, 2019
40:32 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
atl004219
Description
Maureen Rouhi (65) has a conversation with her daughter Sara Rouhi (35) about being biracial, Iran, and mental health.Subject Log / Time Code
Sara Rouhi says she does remember much from Iran. She says she has memories of a family trip when she was 8 which included listening to the album Graceland by Paul Simon and seeing Muslims flagellating in the streets.
Maureen Rouhi talks about traveling back and forth between the Philippines and Iran. She says it was an adventure. She remembers teaching herself the language and exercising to a Madonna cassette.
Sara remembers living with her mother's family in the United States. She says she would slide down the bannisters with her cousins and eat powdered coffee creamer.
Maureen says one of her biggest regrets is not recognizing her daughter's struggles with anxiety.
Sara addresses her mental health issues. She says she is bi-polar and that having the proper diagnosis and medication is key. Sara also talks about the importance of meditation in her life.
Maureen asks Sara how being a mixed race person has affected her. Sara says it has been largely beneficial and that there is an element of exoticism to being mixed race.
Maureen says she thinks of herself as an American. She remembers being focused on making a life for herself and her child. She says building a good life for her family was her singular goal.
Participants
- Sara Rouhi
- Maureen Rouhi