The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, Being Middle Eastern in the U.S.

BEING MIDDLE EASTERN IN THE U.S.

May 1, 2008

There are those that say stand up comedy is the most accepted form of cultural scrutiny here in our Western culture. I would tend to agree. The most successful comedians are social analysts/ commentators. It would seem that the ability to laugh about a situation, is a psychological step in dealing with that situation, and/or the surrounding circumstances. This was the case last night at the discussion on “Being Middle Eastern in the U.S.”, where the subject was discussed in the context of The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour hosted by Comedy Central. In this special four hilarious men have teamed up who's ethnicities happen to apart of “The Axis of Evil.” In order of appearance: Dean Obeidallan (Palestinian father), Anmed Ahmed (Egyptian), Aron Kader (Palestinian father), Maz Jobrani (Iranian or Persian). As they joked, they're just missing a North Korean to complete the Axis.

It's all done under the premises of satire, of not taking yourself too seriously. Making fun of what's going on in the Middle East is a great way to educate the uneducated on the ways of their immigrant ways. A great example was a bit on recruitment competition among Islamic Fundamentalist. The joke was one recruiter telling a young boy, “Don't go to Al Queda, they're shit man. They only offer you 72 virgins. We'll give you 72 virgins... 1 whore... ... and a goat.” Personally, I was cracking up.

As a Black man in America, I see the validity in doing such an experiment. People of Middle Eastern descent are rarely pictured in our media in any kind of non-stereotypical role. In fact one comedian, Anmed Ahmed, who lives in Hollywood and used to pursue acting announced that he wouldn't take roles casting Arabs as terrorists. Then they offered him thirty thousand dollars for a weeks work... I found this to be a great example to assimilation towards the most Western of Ideals, selling out... uh, I mean capitalism. In fact a later joke dealt with Aron Kader's cousin in Jordan cursing America, in English cause God can't understand English, and complaining while he offered Aron a Coca cola. America has taken over the world through merchandise but we've failed to acknowledge the centuries of tradition and beliefs that have been compromised in the process. It seems that this callousness on our parts is much to blame for the hostility others feel towards us and that which we feel towards others.

The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour is a great means of opening minds and exposing us all to aspects of cultures that we never see or never take the time to see. This is the greatest asset for using comedy to tackle such a volatile subject. If you can make someone laugh with you then you've already broken the ice, and the bridge of communication is under construction. I say, build on Axis of Evil, build that funny lookin bridge.