Shawn Nikfar

Sun., Sept. 12, 2004

Stories by Jamie Tobias Neely and Virginia de Leon The Spokesman-Review The Spokesman-Review

Age: 42, pictured above

Hometown: Native of Tehran, Iran; has lived in Spokane since 1980.

Occupation: Assistant director of Northwest Fair Housing Alliance; host of “The Persian Hour” on KYRS 95.3.

How life has changed since Sept. 11: He’s become politically active and keenly aware of the importance of civil rights.

“Sept. 11 and the Patriot Act reminded me of what made me leave Iran (at the age of 16). It was the loss of civil liberties and freedoms. … This is my home now and I’m not moving to another country. I had to take a stand.”

As a high school student during the Iranian hostage crisis in the ‘80s, Shawn developed a “radar to detect hostility.” Sept. 11 and the hostility that some displayed against Americans of Middle Eastern descent forced him to take that radar out again.

Specific impact on daily life: Less money. Greater fulfillment.

Shawn left the managerial field and took a 55 percent pay cut to become the assistant director of Northwest Fair Housing Alliance, a civil rights organization. After Sept. 11, the rash of crimes and violent acts committed against Americans whom some perceived as “the enemy” spurred him to take action. He wasn’t scared. But the discrimination left him sad, disappointed and angry. “They were targeting people who looked like me.”

To educate others about foreign policy issues and to put a human face on the Middle East, he started a radio show called “The Persian Hour” on Thin Air Community Radio. Every Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., he tries to teach listeners about the culture of Iran by playing Persian music and talking about his native country’s traditions.

His secret to adapting: A sense of humor; eternal optimism.

What he has lost: A feeling of security — “For a while, I was afraid of SWAT teams knocking my door down because I was involved in anti-war protests.”

What he has gained: A lot of friends, a connection to people involved in civil rights, a sanctuary with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane.

What he misses most: Bill Clinton.

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