By Gwen Frost
Name: Shirin Deylami
Position: Associate Professor in Political Science with affiliation in WGSS
Education background:
Ph.D. Political Science, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
M.A. Political Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
B.A. Politics and Women’s Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
Hometown: Mission Viejo, California
Classes you are teaching this quarter: Intro to Political Theory, Comparative Political Thought
Claim to fame: I did an edited volume of politics about the TV show The Wire. I have a new piece coming out, a book chapter about Black Lives Matter and the politics of anger, and why we should turn to anger instead of grief for radical democratic politics. The book is called the politics of mourning. Also, I did an article on female suicide bombers.
QUESTIONS:
What did you want to be when you grew up (as a kid)?
I wanted to be a lawyer. Until the middle of college I thought I wanted to do women’s rights law. My parents were an immigrant family and I learned a lot of english from tv, and I loved law shows. I would watch those, so I think that’s what I thought being a successful American was.. even to the point where somebody called my Mom because I had been ‘objecting’ in class, in like third grade. I think that’s pretty indicative of my personality.
What would you sing at a karaoke night?
Heart’s Barracuda, if I had to do something, because you don’t really have to be a good singer to do it.
What are you reading right now/most recently? What’s it about?
I’m reading two things. For WGSS I’m finishing a book called Living a Feminist Life by Sara Amed, and I’m always reading something in fiction. I’m reading a book called American War, it’s about what he imagines the next Civil War in America will be about: Water.
Aside from necessities, what are three things you could not go a day without?
My kids, for sure, terribly probably my phone, I’m not gonna say it’s a necessity and iced coffee.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?
I had kids. That I think is pretty crazy actually. It’s pretty intense and weird. But they’re cute so it’s fine. It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do, but I think you know how hard it is and you do it anyway.
If you could join any past or current music group which would you want to join? Why?
Bikini Kill (writer’s note: Deylami said this without hesitation) pretty much changed my life. I was in high school when their first album came out. I was just so- to be part of a self-created feminist movement that challenges everything about the music industry, and even challenges space… she took up space in a way that I’d never seen before.
They had a long last influencing on the American feminist movement. They just are amazing. And by the way, she’s one of the nicest people ever. I’ve met her twice.
What advice would you have given your college-undergrad-self?
I would have said ‘enjoy it more’. I feel lucky the job I have is intellectually stimulating
I didn’t know that time to read and think and talk with people about ideas, when you go into the rest of the world, that’s not what you do. Don’t waste it. You don’t ever get to have space like that again, so value it, enjoy it.