Blog Post # 2

I read a very interesting article about the Axis of Evil comedians. I hope you have heard of them. They are a group of 4 Middle Eastern comedians who try to make scary, funny, therefore bringing people together. By making people laugh, they try to rat out such associations as “Middle Eastern = terrorist” or “Muslim = Suicide Bomber”. With much appreciated effort, these comedians are gaining popularity among not only Middle Easterns, but also different ethnicities. Their motivation may be admirable, but the reason I enjoy their shows most is because they are OUTRAGEOUSLY funny! I hope to do my part as a Iranian and Middle Eastern and make them as popular in my area as possible. Whether Edina High School, or my neighborhood. I think it is my job, as well as everyone else, including non Mid-Easterns to help society outgrow these false and hurtful stereotypes. So far, it’s been working. Their audiances in each show increase exponentially and hopefully will increase even more in the near future. I would encourage everyone to at least make an attempt to follow their shows. Not only because of its mission, but only just to enjoy it.
I especially love Maz Jobrani. In addition to being relatively clean and funny, he is an Iranian. (hmmmm…) But Aron Kater, Dean Obeidollah and Ahmed Ahmed all add to the quality of their shows and make their mission worthwhile and popular.
Here is the link to the article: http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/30/axis.comedy/index.html?iref=newssearch/

Blog Post #1

The article I am reading is about the stunning young Iranian Actress, Golshifteh Farahani, beginning her life as a professional. The article talks about how she is facing many consequences for entering the Hollywood film industry. A native Iranian, she is forced to obey the current Islamic Law and that is Hejjab. Or, the veiling of women. Like most young women in Iran however, she does not believe in enforcing hejjab. This simple personal decision may cost her everything, including her home. Golshifteh stars in the movie “Body of Lies” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Russel Crow. This is a major accomplishment for her, a leading role with these world-famous actors. Golshifteh has only played in a handful of Iranian movies, which I hate to admit; don’t come to anything when compared to Hollywood. So, suddenly, from the low-budget, poorly-produced and honestly lame directed movies she has stared in, she is provided the opportunity to work with Hollywood naturals. Who in their right mind would refuse? Now, the Iranian government is making a big fuss about her not being veiled in the movie, OUTSIDE of Iran! They are thinking of banning all her movies now because of this “grave offence” and, in addition to this disrespectful act, they are taking her case to court in efforts to BAN her from entering Iran again. I think, as well as the majority of other Iranians in their right minds, that Golshifteh is an honor to all Iranians and we are lucky to have someone as beautiful, talented, sharp-witted and all together wonderful, representing an Iranian in Hollywood. I think ALL Iranians agree, including even the mullahs (religious freaks ruling Iran) that we all have had enough of Hollywood portraying Middle Easterns as fat, ugly, bearded, dirty, filthy, greedy, fanatic, gross, harsh, ugly again, cruel, wicked, twisted, wife-beating, yelling, strict, horrible Arab terrorists. This is not the Middle East, and if not bad enough, IRANIANS are portrayed as these fat, ugly….Arab terrorists as well! Now that is an outrage for all Iranians. There is a very clear difference between Arab and Iranian. Do Minnesotans care if they are mistaken as “Iowans”? Absolutely! Imagine being referred to as an Arab when you are an Iranian. (No offence to Arabs, the too are offended gravely when referred to as Iranians). What I mean to get as is Golshifteh is our best chance at getting rid of the “Bad Fat Arab” and introducing Eastern beauties with talent!
I found this article on this link; I would recommend checking it out! http://www.irandokht.com/editorial/index4.php?area=soc&sectionID=54&editorialID=3284