Shiva Falsafi is a lecturer in women’s studies at UCLA. Before moderating a panel on how L.A. might prepare for a Persian Spring, she revealed in the Zócalo green room that she doesn’t have much talent for home ec or sewing, she’s willing to let her daughter win when it comes to board games, and that her garage is rather overdue for a good cleaning.
What is the last board game you played?
I think the last one I played was Clue.
Did you win?
I let my daughter win because it is absolutely unmanageable if she doesn’t.
What Farsi word or phrase do you wish had an English equivalent?
One thing we say always is “ghorban-eh” which literally translates to, “Can I sacrifice myself for you?” [Laughs.] But maybe if there were a more casual equivalent. It’s a mark of respect, adoration, love-you can say it to someone you’re distant from, someone you love.
What do you eat for breakfast?
I have an entire selection, from bagels to Cheerios to toast-and, rarely, chocolate croissants.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Me, of course I have none. I’m perfect, that’s why I’m here!
If you could be any animal, which would you choose?
Dolphins, because they’re intelligent, they’re playful, they’re gentle. They have what we seem to lack, which is a sense of social cohesion that is not damaging. And they swim better than I do.
What are you keeping in your garage that you should have thrown out already?
Oh my gosh, we’re going to be here all night. Old futons, old toys, old clothes, old shoes.
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Moving out to L.A. I was a fairly well-established lawyer on the east coast, so moving into academia and moving to L.A. was a fairly significant risk.
When you turn on the TV in your home, what channel was typically on last?
You’re going to love my answer–we do not have a TV.
What was your worst subject in school?
Oh wow, so many. I was pretty bad at home economics, or it could have been sewing … I was pretty bad at both.