Diversity as my Adversity

“You said you’re from California? No, where are you REALLY from?” Afghan-Americans face micro-aggressions, such as the one above, on almost a daily basis. It can be awkward and exhausting to consistently address various forms of ignorance about cultural and social etiquette in a country that is as diverse as the United States. It is particularly troublesome for young Afghan professionals who feel compelled to be agreeable in order to ascend in the workplace. In this episode of Chai Sabz, we discussed cultural ineptitudes that Afghan-Americans face in the workplace and methods of addressing them. Our culture teaches us to respect our elders, which includes having to refrain from correcting their shortcomings. This might contribute to some Afghans’ inability to stand up for themselves when confronted with micro-aggressions. However, there must be a way to reconcile the need to be both respectful and assertive when faced with cultural ineptitude. We welcomed Ms. Freshta Taeb in this episode to provide some insight to young professionals on overcoming challenges in the workplace. Ms. Taeb is a woman of many talents and experiences! She has an extensive resume filled with initiatives that have served the community such as translation services for asylees and refugees, diversity consultation for large law firms, women’s education advocacy, and mental health and domestic violence awareness (just to name a few!). She refined her skill set by working for recognized organizations such as Al Jazeera America, Wafa House, and the International Rescue Committee. Today, she serves as a Senior Interventionist for Cornerstone Marriage & Family Intervention in New York. We hope you find our discussion helpful in overcoming adversity in your profession. Happy Listening! 

Om Podcasten

This podcast is dedicated to the women of Afghanistan and serves to strike a dialogue about some of the taboos in Afghan culture. Despite the common knowledge that women have faced varying forms of oppression in our community, the subject or domestic violence is still considered to be taboo amongst Afghans. We hope that by sharing the stories of survivors, we can continue the conversation on DV in Afghan homes, so our community may begin to heal together. We will also share the narratives of trailblazing Afghan women who have left an impact on society in Afghanistan and anywhere else in the world. We hope that our episodes will spark new ambitions among our listeners and ultimately eliminate the silence on important issues that serve as a barrier to our success.