Cultural Event: Being Middle Eastern in the United States

The California State University in Chico, California offered a presentation on “Being Middle Eastern in the United States.”  The discussion stated was subjected on the context of The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour hosted by Comedy Central.  In this tour, four comical, Middle Eastern-American comedians team up and create a satire on living in America as Middle Eastern men;  Dean Obeidallan- Palestinian, Anmed Ahmed- Egyptian, Aron Kader- Palestinian, Maz Jobrani- Persian. The comedy show was created under the idea of satire, of not taking yourself too seriously, and was based on all the challenges that are faced as Middle Eastern in America. The first comedian to present was Aron Kader, he joked about the remarks that American makes when he mentions that he is Arab. For example, Aron states, “I’m Arab…” and then an American would respond by saying, “you look so nice,” or “…oh ooooookay.”

The second comedian to present was Anmed Ahmed, he 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.  In addition, people of Middle Eastern descent are rarely pictured in our media in any kind of non-stereotypical role. Most of them are can be pictured in perfect roles as terrorist or Muslims, because the hate for Middle Eastern people has increased drastically since 9/11. 

The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour is a wonderful way to express the hardships that Middle Eastern people face to everyone else in the world.  The DVD provides comedy work to tackle the greatest subject of the violent acts in the America.  Towards the end of The Axis of Evil Comedy Show DVD, there were a few college students who were there to provide feedback about their perspective for living in America as Middle Eastern people.  One of the Students named, Sam was a Lebanese-American living in Chico. I asked him, if he could speak Arabic, and he said No, but he could understand it.  

I enjoyed this presentation, because I could relate to a lot of what was in the comedy show and the college students’ perspectives.  I too am a Lebanese-American girl living in America. I have to sometimes face the hardships that they do too.  For example, my cousin was going to school in San Diego right as September 11 happened.  She had students from her school approach her and ask her what nationality she was, she responded by saying that she was Lebanese.  The student immediately responded by saying, how does it feel to be responsible for the bombing, you stupid Arab?  I just think that as living as a Middle Eastern-America, we should all create humor to help ease the hardships that we have to face.  Humor and laughter can always create a way for the two different nationalities to create communication among themselves.