Spring Break
Comedy helps highlight peace issues
By: Emily Davis
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News
Dean Obeidallah's life changed dramatically after Sept. 11.
Not because the comedian lost loved ones in the attacks - rather, because of his Sicilian and Palestinian background.
"I've actually had people ask me, both in a serious and joking manner, 'If you hear of any terrorist attacks, will you let me know?'" Obeidallah said.
Obeidallah and comedian Scott Blakeman performed their "Stand up for Peace" act Monday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium for about 75 people.
The routine brought to light some racial and political issues.
Obeidallah also joked about the changes in the war on terror.
"Remember when everyone was looking for (Osama) bin Laden? Now he's a has-been," he said. "One of these days, you'll turn on the TV and he'll have his own reality show on VH1."
Obeidallah's message had a serious theme despite the nature of the event.
He said to get peace, enemies cannot be ignored. He also said unlike many other minorities, Arab Americans do not have a history month or other activities to raise awareness.
"Hopefully, the comedy will help people understand the issues better," said Jaymie Morton, Farmington Hills senior and co-president of Hillel, which co-sponsored the event with Program Board and the Student Budget Allocation Committee.
"'N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk' was so successful last semester and we want this to be as successful," Morton said.
Blakeman spoke about peace and war, agreeing with Obeidallah's message that everyone must be included to gain peace.
"You have to talk to all the world leaders to get peace," he said.
Blakeman joked about his life growing up as a Jewish boy, the war in Iraq and this year's presidential election.
Obeidallah rejoined Blakeman after his act and the two gave the audience a chance to ask questions.
Emma Lockwood, Hillel co-president and Huntington Woods senior, said comedy helps people learn more about the issues.
"Comedy helps bring these issues forward," Lockwood said. "It brings the issues to light and helps people to talk about them."
Ovid sophomore Stefanie Heyser enjoyed the performance.
"I really liked it," she said. "It's good to see variety being shown here."
Blakeman said he enjoyed performing for the CMU audience.
"We're very happy with the group that came out," he said. "We got some very nice responses. It's good to see that people here are aware of the issues."
news@cm-life.com
Not because the comedian lost loved ones in the attacks - rather, because of his Sicilian and Palestinian background.
"I've actually had people ask me, both in a serious and joking manner, 'If you hear of any terrorist attacks, will you let me know?'" Obeidallah said.
Obeidallah and comedian Scott Blakeman performed their "Stand up for Peace" act Monday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium for about 75 people.
The routine brought to light some racial and political issues.
Obeidallah also joked about the changes in the war on terror.
"Remember when everyone was looking for (Osama) bin Laden? Now he's a has-been," he said. "One of these days, you'll turn on the TV and he'll have his own reality show on VH1."
Obeidallah's message had a serious theme despite the nature of the event.
He said to get peace, enemies cannot be ignored. He also said unlike many other minorities, Arab Americans do not have a history month or other activities to raise awareness.
"Hopefully, the comedy will help people understand the issues better," said Jaymie Morton, Farmington Hills senior and co-president of Hillel, which co-sponsored the event with Program Board and the Student Budget Allocation Committee.
"'N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk' was so successful last semester and we want this to be as successful," Morton said.
Blakeman spoke about peace and war, agreeing with Obeidallah's message that everyone must be included to gain peace.
"You have to talk to all the world leaders to get peace," he said.
Blakeman joked about his life growing up as a Jewish boy, the war in Iraq and this year's presidential election.
Obeidallah rejoined Blakeman after his act and the two gave the audience a chance to ask questions.
Emma Lockwood, Hillel co-president and Huntington Woods senior, said comedy helps people learn more about the issues.
"Comedy helps bring these issues forward," Lockwood said. "It brings the issues to light and helps people to talk about them."
Ovid sophomore Stefanie Heyser enjoyed the performance.
"I really liked it," she said. "It's good to see variety being shown here."
Blakeman said he enjoyed performing for the CMU audience.
"We're very happy with the group that came out," he said. "We got some very nice responses. It's good to see that people here are aware of the issues."
news@cm-life.com
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