(WATCH a clip from the Axis of Evil Tour in 2005 – some rough language; may not be appropriate for children) Collaboration with others led Obeidallah to form the Stand up for Peace Tour with Scott Blakeman, who says his Jewish faith compels him to speak out against stereotyping. At the same time, Obeidallah’s Arab Comedy Festival co-founder, Maysoon Zayid, is busy deconstructing myths about the “oppressed Muslim woman, the blood-thirsty Palestinian, and the poor pathetic cripple”. A Palestinian American comedian, she is also an activist for cerebral palsy— a condition she lives and laughs with. Building bridges is a two-way street. While these comedians are challenging the status quo of Middle Eastern misconceptions in America, they are also winning hearts and minds in the Middle East, where they have performed in front of thousands, delivered workshops, mentored budding talent and, as Obeidallah added, been witness to “the rise of stand-up [comedy] in the Arab world, performing in English and Arabic”. Kader reflected that “in America I feel obligated to inform an audience about the Middle East and there I am an American with an obligation to describe what Americans are feeling.” Sarah Palin, Muammar Gaddafi, Iran’s Twitter revolt, Egypt’s uprising, racism, country music and cerebral palsy: no topic is taboo for these comedians as they easily straddle multiple cultures in their comedy routines. “Make it funny, give it levity, use humility so it’s easier to digest and discuss divisive political issues”, said Kader attesting to the ways Middle Eastern American comedians are debunking myths and transcending politics with humour. This multicultural comedy is nascent but necessary in a world that is rapidly evolving in the way it communicates, entertains and informs.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 01:37:13 +0000
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