What's Funny About Muslim-Americans?
74The Bridge of Humor
Since 9/11 tensions between Americans and Muslim-Americans have been high. There have been hateful slogans, racial profiling, calls for freedom restrictions, death threats and acts of violence. But, a new generation of Muslim-American comics is tearing down the stereo-typical perceptions through the universal language of humor.
Below are three of many Muslim-American comics who are currently performing throughout the U.S., and I've included video of all three talented performers. Enjoy!
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Maysoon Zayid
Maysoon Zayid
Laughing through -and at- her own cerebral palsy, "people think I'm nervous or they think I'm drunk," and born of Palestinian parents, Maysoon's raunchy jokes about dealing with menstruation and sex as a Muslim woman have audiences howling, and she likes to joke about her father's resemblance to Saddam Hussein. She says her parents used to worry that she had fallen into a dishonorable profession, but were relieved after seeing her on Al Jazeera, the Arab cable network. "They saw I was legit and not wrapped around a pole."
Maysoon Zayid lives in Cliffside Park, N.J. and has a long and impressive list of accomplishments. Among those are:
- The first comedian to perform live in Palestine, performing in Nazareth, Haifa, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jerusalem.
- She has appeared on television in As The World Turns, Law & Order, MTV, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and ABC's 20/20.
- Her comedy appearances in the top New York clubs include The Improve, Caroline's, Gotham, and Stand-Up NY, and she has toured extensively in the US and abroad.
- She spends 3 months a year in Palestine where she runs art & wellness programs for disabled and wounded refugee children and orphans.
You can read more about Maysoon Zayid on her website, Maysoon Zayid NEWS
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Dean Obeidallah
Dean Obeidallah
Born in New Jersey and the only son of a Palestinian father and Sicilian mother, Dean credits his parents with providing an enormous amount of material... mostly unintentionally. He got his start while practicing law after other lawyers suggested he perform in the New Jersey bar association's funniest lawyer show. "I'm pretty sure that was their was of telling me to find a new career."
Dean Obeidallah was recently awarded the first annual "Bill Hicks Spirit Award" from the NY Underground Comedy Festival. Obeidallah has a one-man show titled "I Come in Peace," a comedic and truthful look at life as an Arab-American in a post-9/11 world, and has made numerous appearances on Comedy Central.
Learn more about Dean Obeidallah at his website, Dean Of Comedy.
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Tissa Hami
Tissa Hami
Tissa's unique perspectives on life as an Iranian-American woman leaves her audiences in "shock and awe" as she targets her sharp wit at everyone from white liberals to good-ol-boy racists. She grew up in a mostly white suburb of Boston and holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in international affairs. She jokes that her parents are thrilled at how she's using her expensive education to pursue a career in comedy.
Tissa performed for 10,000 people at First Night Boston in 2005 and has been featured on BBC Radio and Australian and European television.
In the U.S., she's appeared on ABC's The View(with Dean Obeidallah), The Hallmark Channel, and NPR.
You can read more about Tissa Hami at her website, TissaHami.com
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Comments
Wow! Laughter and comedy can be universal languages of understanding, and what better way to break the ice than by people who live in, and know best, a culture which is different than our own?
It worked for Jewish comedians a century ago, when Jews were wrongfully hated and feared by many in the U.S. Now Jewish comedians, and actors as well, stand in the proud footsteps of those who went before, and to be Jewish in America is no different than being like any other U.S. citizen.
It is good to see that not all of the people from the Middle East are rabid, blood seeking terrorists. There are some who are, just as there are some amongst us who belong to the KKK and Neo Nazis, but that doesn't mean we all are members of those hate groups.
Keep up the great reporting that educates us all! And to these young comedians, thanks for giving us a different picture than the one we blindly accepted before. I pray for a day when we all can laugh at ourselves and understand that we have more in common than we know.
Laughter is the best way to break down barriers that we have in our minds, unfortunately is is sad that we first have to laugh or be laughed at before we think of each other as people.
I think a little self-deprecating humor is healthy, though.
Being able to laugh at one's self is a tonic for many people who take themselves too seriously, such as many politicians. but there are other things which can make us laugh that are not harmful, and I agree, Rodney, that laughter is a great way to break down barriers.
I'm at school, so I can't view the video links, but I will check them out when I am at home, in case I missed something there.
ALSO SEE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-deprecation
Marisue, It has become my mission to dissolve that dangerous wall of ignorance. With HubPages, we -all of us- have the perfect forum to do just that. I wrote, and requested of other hubbers, "A Day In The Life Of A Typical..." toward that end.
Jeff, very eloquently put. Imagine if we Americans were to be judged by the actions of the worst of us.
Rodney, it would be unfortunate and sad if we DIDN'T have the gift of humor to bridge the gaps. I see it as hope for a new age of understanding and ridding ourselves forever of ignorance.
Thank you all for reading and for your positive feedback. I love it!
Great step in the direction of educating and bridging the gap - some really great stuff here! Steph
Thank you very much, Steph.
PS: Did anyone read the Muslim sex joke? I think you have to be on the "Latest" Constant Walker's hubs page to see it. It's definitely tasteless, but I imagine (and hope) the Musilm-American comics would get a giggle from it. I know I did.
I love to know how people are living their daily life, I think it will show we all have much more in common than not!! Great Idea Constant!! I've been swamped lately, but intend to get my "Marisue's Day" up soon...
I'm building a website called "An American Life" now...I hope it will attract others to tell about their life on that blog, from here or their country....isn't it funny how we are thinking the same things..we want those links between us as a people.
I am glad, Constant, that you give everyone you meet a chance...that's such a good quality that we all need to multiply....I think most Americans want to learn...
Course there's always the occasional...uh....you know...LOL
Here's to the common links!!!
I'm still waiting for that hub, Marisue ;) Are you referring to that religious nut that called you a monster? I admit, I'm not very patient with the zealots... but, I'm working on it!
And yes, it's weird how we seem to be on a parallel course regarding a lot of our writing.
Personally, Marisue, I think you're copying me, and the fact that you consistently do everything before I do just proves your evil powers of ESP... ;) Oh yes, I'm on to you!
you have just entered the Twilight Zone....
immitation is the greatest form of flattery...=) I think YOUR hubs are way ahead of me....LOL ever onward!! I'm your number one fan...sign me Kathy Bates...
remember that movie..?
OK, now I'm scared. But seriously, I got the idea for international hub dialogue from your hub, "America, We're Not Spoiled."
Good story for you, Marisue, speaking of "#1 fans," I was once attacked by a naked woman (not too far from where I live right now!) whom had seen me play somewhere - and was VERY high. She latched on to my arms and told me I was the Son of God (I like a nice compliment but, come on). I could not get her loose! Luckily (someone must have called them right away - I don't know) a police car came speeding around the corner about two minutes later and apprehended her.
Too crazy, ay?
You were saved by a dangerous and obviously crazed woman....whew! I'm glad you weren't hurt. LOL
ahahahhaha I'm crawling out of the room laughing....
Thought you'd like that one. At the time it freaked me out, but now it's one of my favorite stories. I mean, how often... right?
Where's a good cop when you need one....I bet they got a good laugh over this one...heeheheh
Probably one of many for them.
I think that it is ok to poke fun at yourself, it is not ok to have others poke fun at you.. Does that make sense? I just think that these are people who can laugh at their cultural differences, and look at them from another angle. I also think that "tasteful" comedy can lighten most situations. Interesting Hub. Thanks.
Doghouse, I don't mind if others poke fun at me - we can tell the spirit in which it's done. I certainly do my share of "poking," and it's always returned. It's the mean-spirited "humor" that no one appreciates... and you can always hear the under-tone in that.
Thanks for the feedback.
Constant,
You have worded it much better than I...exactly what I meant. Thanks.
No prob... LOL. I'm here for ya. ;)
This just goes to show that Laughter is the best medicine. There is no bondary that comedy can not cross.
And the physical healing power of laughter has now been well documented.
I feel vindicated with my love of the whoopie cushion. Pull my finger... let the healing begin!
This is a great hub! I love to laugh. I try to make people laugh at my day job--so often that's ALL I can do for them, but it seems to be enough sometimes. I talk to a lot of Arab-Americans on the phone. A whole bunch of them live near Detroit, I'm not sure why, but there's tons of Arabs in Detroit. I'm intrigued by the culture. It's too bad the atmosphere in the US is so paranoid and demented right now, but it's great to be able to laugh a little. Thanks!
You're very welcome, pgrundy. I'm glad you liked it. I know we have Indian-American (Ghandi, not Geronimo) hubbers and I would love to get their feedback -it may not all be positive- but that hasn't happened yet.
Thank you for the compliment.
wow great joke!!! lmfao
Very cool! I find the comedic perspective refreshing. We hear so much negative in the popu;ar media it's nice to be reminded that we have far more in common than not. I was at the US Customs and Immigration Service office yeasterday with my wife as she interviewed for citizenship. It was interesting to sit there in the "hopper" of the melting pot watching the curious mixture of hope and worry, optimism and nervousness on the faces of so many different cultures as they waited. To me it's all hopeful, maybe someday color or accent won't be important
It's important to know how to laugh at ourselves. These comedians are bridging a gap that needs badly to be bridged.
Thank you, Mike, WeClick and Karen for the great feedback. It was a fun hub to write.
WeClick; The "melting pot" euphonism is appropriate. One day, in the not too distant future, all the races of Man will eventually blend into one planetary race of people. It's already started. I think there's even a term for what the race will be called already, but I don't remember it. Are you and/or your wife Middle Eastern? If so, I've been waiting to hear from you about this hub. I'm glad you liked it.
Constant walker,
Actually I'm caucasian American and my wife is caucasian Canadian who has lived in the US most of her life. We don't really have the experience of being outsiders in that sense. For her citizenship was more a matter of wanting to participate politically. I suppose that truely exemplifies the diversity of backgrounds and motivations that were in that room. Good stuff.
Oh. Oh well... Hey, I've been to Canada. Loved it! Way too cold in the winter, but as a country, they've really got their shit together... much more than we do.
really enjoyed this Hub. Muslims are rarely if ever portrayed as anything but terrorists by Hollywood and are constantly demonized by the right-wing media. These comics are changing that. A documentary on them, "America At A Crossroads," aired on PBS just a few nights ago. http://www.pbs.org/weta/crossroads/about/show_stan
Daniel, I saw that documentary. That's what inspired this hub.
Thanks for reading.
I can dig it
Thanks for reading, PLM.
I can"t understand this vedios because of their poor sound
Abubacker, the sound is perfect on my system. Are you sure it's not your speakers?
Another awesome hub, CW.
People are people. They struggle, they work hard, they cry, and they find humor in the darkness to get through. All the races of man are already a planetary people...some just don't know it yet.
I didn't know these wonderful performers until now. They are on my watch list. Wonderful, competent and confident human beings who tell the story of their plight, but with a universal human perspective.
I could go on and on about this...for now, I'm looking for Polish comedians with a similar whole world perspective.
Thank you, Sally, for the very nice compliment.
Polish, ay? Are you FROM Poland? Or perhaps IN Poland? I ask because I'm looking for international hubbers to participate in my "A Day In The Life Of A Typical..." project. Interested?
Check this out: http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Day-In-The-Life-Of-A-Typ
And thank you very much for reading.
love this hub, thanks.
Thank you, djtphn1
Hey CW, I checked out the "Polish Stand-Up Comedy Tour". Thanks so much. WOW!
My mother was born in Poland and came to the US in 1929 as a young child. One of her brothers is a mover and shaker in the Polish Anti-Defamation League in New York. Another brother is retired from the US Labor Department, where his job was to promote the US automotive industry to our Latin American friends while he spoke Spanish, not Polish. Polish jokes are not allowed in our house! That's why I was curious about Polish people telling Polish jokes from their own points of view.
Good luck with your project!
Best regards, Sally.
Thanks Sally. Were the comedians good, the jokes funny? I haven't checked it out yet. I wanted to hear your take on it first.
now that is funny keep it up but don't worry about basso short stories but other than that great hud
Constant.... I don't know what this guy's problem is.
Playak, Thanks for the compliment but, I don't understand. R.Martin is possible the best writer on HP - and there are some very good ones. What are the Basso stories I'm not supposed to worry about? Please explain.
R.Martin, was this hub mentioned in one of yours... or something like it?
Hi Constant... I'll shoot you an email off-line, but I don't know who this guy is or what he's talking about or even what his problem is. I'm as lost on this as you are. I don't know why this PLAYAK fellow is getting all aggro. Is it possible this is some advanced type of SPAM?
Don't know. Maybe he interpreted something in your writing as anti-Muslim (???).
Hmmmm... Well, that's impossible since I lived in Saudi Arabia and am actually quite knowledgable about that culture and those people. it's also impossible because (1) I don't mention other hubs or hubbers in my own writings, and (2) I don't write about that topic (Muslims), period. When I lived in the Middle East and, specifically in U.K., I had the great pleasure of meeting Salmon Rushdie on several occasions. After everything Salmon had to go through because of his own writings concerning that culture, I consciously decided to never invite that into my life. Check your email, I just sent you my email addy.... we'll communicate more offline.
Got it, and responded. Thanks. Also, sent an inquiry to Playak. I'm really curious about this.
Nice hub. It's so interesting to see how people react and interact, but some people have the gift of making 'interesting' into 'entertaining'. This is the human world, we bump into one other, we rub off on one another, sometimes we crash....sparks will fly!!!
Thanks Vinie. Interesting, possibly "entertaining," thoughts. 8-)
working
marisuewrites says:
2 months ago
We are ignorant of Muslims, and ignorance is dangerous. I'd like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise...yet, got to admit; I'm a little nervous. It's the world we live in. They may be nervous about me as well.
I'm open to people and our differences, but I'm also cautious....no matter their race or customs...I just walk a bit more cautiously than I used to.
Sigh.