When We Read Frantz Fanon and Were Latin Americans: The Real and Imagined Translation and Circulation of Third-World Revolutionary Works among Leftist Groups in Iran between the 1953 Coup and the 1979 Revolution

Abstract

This article2 analyses the real and imagined translation and circulation of Third- World revolutionary works among leftist groups in Iran between the 1953 coup and the 1977-1979 revolution through the cases of Frantz Fanon and Latin America. On the one hand, Frantz Fanon was instrumental in favouring a unique Iranian understanding of the Third World, based on a recasting of the idea of mostad'afin (oppressed). On the other hand, people in Iran during the period under consideration published pamphlets as "white covers" or tended to avoid direct references to local issues, preferring to speak in allegories, use double-meaning words, or write or translate books on similar matters in other countries or times. In numerous cases, and when dealing with the Global South and armed revolution, these books and pamphlets were translations of works from, or made allegorical reference to, Latin America.