Long before I landed in America, I was under the impression that I would meet people from various backgrounds, here, all working tirelessly towards realizing their own version of the American Dream… And I was right. The image I had cultivated as a child was the result of watching one too many sitcoms celebrating a diverse population that respected one another even if they considered certain traditions and cultural aspects to be different from their own. For the most part that, too, turned out to be a true expectation.
Alex Navissi’s father must’ve experienced something similar when he arrived in the United States from Iran in 1977. It is here that he met his mother, an American of Irish, Polish, and African-American ancestry. Does it get any more diverse than that?
Growing up, Navissi did not encounter much racial resistance. “I’m half-Iranian. My great-grandfather was black. But I mostly present as a vaguely ethnic white guy, so I can ‘pass.’”
Alex is also gay. “People may or may not identify me as a gay man or as an Iranian man when they see me walking down the street, but both are fundamental parts of who I am, as is the fact that I feel comfortable in whatever group of people I’m with, be it white, middle eastern, gay, straight, etc.”
Navissi considers it a privilege to be able to fit in. “My ability to travel between groups without feeling ‘othered’ certainly helps a lot. However, I try to use this privilege to advance the discourse of minority populations or the disenfranchised.”
I met Alex during the 2016 election campaign and could see first-hand his dedication to promoting tolerance and a genuine respect for diversity.
“I’m very outspoken about LGBT issues, creating a more equitable society, reducing the achievement gap, minority representation in the media, dispelling myths about Islam or Iranians, etc. So, I use my unique background as a platform to help create a more accepting society.”
Alex is well-traveled. He’s been to Mexico, Canada, Italy, France, Iceland, and China. Therefore, it was natural to ask his opinion about tolerance in countries other than the United States.
“I think LGBT acceptance varies by region,” he observed. “Places like Canada and Iceland are quite accepting. On the other hand, China felt less tolerant. I was there for work so I didn’t really get the opportunity to explore much. However, the fact that social media and other tools that minority communities utilize to build safe spaces are heavily restricted in China. That says a lot.”
Navissi currently lives in New York City and thoroughly enjoys interacting with folks from all sorts of backgrounds. He is originally from Katy, Texas. During the campaign, he experienced a brief stay in Waterloo, Iowa. I was interested in knowing how he decided to pursue a career in politics.
“Although I have always been interested in politics, I did not expressly decide early on to choose this path” explained Alex. “When I was younger I wanted to go into broadcasting, which led to me going to film school at the University of Texas.”
The global economy crashed in 2008 weeks after he moved to NYC, so his media dreams were put on hold while he settled into stable freelance work at a publishing company. Later, he started working in the nonprofit sector.”
“When I was laid off from a job as a salesman for a company that sold sponsored content to nonprofits to help them recruit new donors, I started evaluating my options.”
During the summer of 2016, things started to shape up.
“I had already wanted to volunteer for Hillary Clinton,” shared Alex. “A friend suggested that I would make a great field organizer. He encouraged me to apply.”
Navissi didn’t think much about his application until he received a phone call from one of the campaign organizers in Iowa, one morning.
“I had about two weeks to put my whole life on pause in NYC, sublet my apartment, borrow my mom’s car down in Texas, and drive up to Iowa.”
Navissi worked over a hundred hours a week canvassing the city, making calls, and helping with planning events for the campaign.
“I was convinced we would win big,” reminisced Alex. “Obama was popular. Hillary’s policies made sense. The doors I knocked on were all opened by people who endorsed her. The people I spoke to over the phone were convinced we were up against a uniquely unqualified, economically illiterate, racist, and sexist candidate.”
The loss on election night was a major blow.
“I had been too focused on working tirelessly to make sure we would have a better outcome. I had zero inkling that we would lose. Naturally, as the result became more and more apparent, I broke down and just started sobbing in our field office. It literally did not dawn on me that we would lose.”
Every day has been a struggle for Alex, since.
“We’re in a real crisis,” said Alex with great passion. “Every single day there is a new development that makes me feel as if we are taking a big step backwards. At the same time I feel encouraged by the incredible response to Trump and the GOP’s divisive, racist, oppressive agenda. The Women’s March was one of the first times since the election where I realized that we would ultimately bounce back from this.”
The daily response to the oppressive stance of the government is what gives Alex further hope.
“No one can deny the changing face of American politics,” he stated. “The recent state elections have demonstrated a massive swing from Republican to Democratic leadership, for example. The “Me Too” movement as well as the global response to protecting climate change, despite the U.S. government’s negative stance, cannot be overlooked.
“The American judicial and legislative arms regularly resort to checks and balances like they should in a democracy. Perhaps more than anything, seeing American youth fight hard right now in response to the Parkland school massacre has me convinced that the great American spirit remains very much alive!”
Much work remains to be done, however.
“Every single day countless people fall victim to the terrible Trump administration,” added Alex. “DACA folks are being deported ruthlessly. Victims of the opioid crisis die because Trump won’t fund crucial health programs. Gun violence is claiming innocent lives. People are struggling to survive on minimum wage. There are many people who need health insurance and are paying higher premiums because of him… These are the real victims here. There is no denying we have taken a big step backwards.
“But I remain determined. I am more committed than ever before to fight hard for the under-privileged. As an educated career professional, I have made it my life’s mission to reach out to various groupings and fight for those who can’t defend themselves.”
Alex Navissi does not rule out serving another stint in politics when the next election cycle draws closer.
“I already told my boss that if I leave my company (which I love) it’ll be to work on the 2020 campaign,” smiled Alex. “I don’t know if I want to be in the field full-time again… uprooting is hard. But if someone like Senator Gillibrand ran for President, she would certainly base her campaign in NYC. If that is the case, I’d seriously explore working for her. And if not that, I will absolutely volunteer my ass off.”
Navissi’s positive outlook is very reassuring.
“The next American President will spend her or his term(s) undoing the damage done by Trump, Ryan and McConnell. And then we’ll go forward as far and fast as we can… Not everyone will survive this administration, but I will fight hard to safeguard the rights and lives of those I can. We’re all in this together and we’ll get through this together.”
Based on his personal experience, Alex was able to offer a practical plan to anyone interested in participating during the next election cycle.
“We all have to do as much as we can to fight the likes of Trump, Ryan, McConnell, Joni Ernst, and Steve King,” he stated. “The important thing to remember is that we all need to work together in order to fight the good fight.
“If you did not volunteer in 2016, volunteer for the 2018 midterms and of course the 2020 election cycle. Work at the state and local level. Iowa – particularly Black Hawk county – occupies a prominent position on the national political platform and is blessed with a very civically engaged citizenry.
Alex also had advice for those who are unable to physically participate in politics.
“Donate to organizations you care about. Call your representatives everyday, or AT THE VERY LEAST weekly! There is a fantastic way to do this – RESISTBOT. Look them up, it’s so easy. You text RESIST to 50409 and get started. And don’t be afraid to speak for your values and your community. We are all in this together. It will take everything we have to win the House, the Senate and state houses in 2018 and then the presidency in 2020. We can do it!!”
He cautioned against burn-out, however.
“I tell everyone to take good care of themselves. If you need to unplug, unplug. If you can’t attend a protest because it’s mentally draining, then don’t. Stay mentally and physically healthy. Don’t let the stress of these times make you sick or worse. I do a lot of unplugging and self-care. Stay safe and healthy!”
You may follow Alex Navissi on Instagram at thedealwithalex
Shannon Peterson says
What an incredible man! I love his drive!
Seema Khan says
Indeed! I met Alex a couple years ago and was very impressed with his passion to bring hope and improve society.