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Discrimination
against Muslims and Arabs is the focus of a recent ABC sitcom |
Just
because the news stories die down doesn’t mean it isn’t still happening.
I’m talking about racial discrimination against Muslims, which exploded in
post-9/11 America, especially in the workplace. This subject matter received a
necessary high profile revisit courtesy of ABC’s half-hour sitcom the George
Lopez show.
But
instead of falling prey to the problem that plagues most sitcoms tackling a
heavy subject (what the Los Angeles Times aptly calls “a heavy-handed Very
Special Episode”), the show rightly mixes serious discussion with its
trademark sharp, minority-infused humor. It’s thoughtful yet comedic approach
to the subject last Wednesday night proves that “in the land of the free”
there will always be some minority faced with discrimination.
The
episode, titled “Profiles in Courage”, brings comedian George Lopez to a
moral impasse when he is told to demote upstanding head employee Hosni, an
Arab-American (played by Jason Antoon), in his airline-parts factory to put the
company in better standing for a coveted government contract.
George
is determined to stick to his principles. But doing so will most likely cost the
company the government contract, resulting in the layoff of 20 other employees.
What’s a man who wants to do the right thing to do?
That
problem is coupled with hilarious (and telling) bigotry jokes from Lopez’s
staff (including his suspicious mother).
To
wit: Benny, Lopez’s mom, and a few employees gather with George to tear down
Hosni. They are amusingly suspicious because he doesn’t drink, swear, gossip
and does his work with no problem. “It’s a great day in America when white
people, black people and Latinos can all come together and pick on another
minority,” George dryly says.
George
invites Hosni to dinner to get to know him better. Of course we learn Hosni once
went to flight school, which further aggravates Benny. But that’s the point
– just because a man is Middle Eastern doesn’t mean he’s a threat, even if
he went to flight school.
It’s
simply refreshing to see this issue addressed again in the national spotlight.
In the months after September 11th, the news stories on racial discrimination
were there, and many television dramas addressed the subject, including The
West Wing, 24 and Law and Order.
It’s
healthy to see these issues in popular dramas. Of course the characters are
often minor, but five years ago they weren’t even there. I remember a few
years back watching an episode of ER when a Muslim nurse with a prayer
mat on her shoulder approached Dr. Carrie Weaver (a main character).
“I
need a break,” she said to Weaver, who exasperatingly asked why. “It’s
Ramadan, and I gotta pray,” she said. Well, I was floored. A mention of
Ramadan and prayer in ER? I immediately called my brother to share my
excitement.
But
a whole story line dedicated to Middle Eastern racial discrimination – it’s
been a long time since that happened. (Has it ever happened?) And racial
discrimination, bigotry and subtle harassment of Muslims and Arabs is still
happening, whether the media and entertainment industry address it or not.
A
half-hour sitcom – who would’ve thought this subject matter would be picked
by a comedy? But George Lopez tackled it gracefully with plenty of humor
to boot.
As
in life, there’s rarely a happily-ever after solution to our problems. And
George reluctantly decides to give in to the pressure and demote Hosni to save
the other 20 employees. But he explains his decision to Hosni, who takes it with
dignity and sadness.
