c. 2007 Religion News Service
OSWEGO, N.Y. _ Dressed in a long black overcoat and hijab, an Islamic head scarf, Tissa Hami faced an audience of about 300 at the State University College at Oswego.
Born in Iran but raised in a Boston suburb, Hami began by clearing the air about Muslim stereotypes.
“We don’t ride camels, we don’t live in caves, but if you piss me off, I will take you hostage,” she cracked to widespread laughter.
That was the beginning of a 15-minute comedy routine that touched on airport security, being a U.S. Muslim during the Iranian hostage siege and her traditional parents’ reaction to her career choice.
After a joke about the lack of Muslim strippers _ “What would they show, some ankle?” _ Hami removed her coat and hijab and continued her routine dressed in a light sweater and black slacks.
As with much of her comedy, there was a serious side to the transformation, rooted in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
“When I had the idea to do this in a head scarf, we were getting bombarded with images of a veiled Muslim woman and what that meant … like oppression, like submission,” Hami said. “I wanted to give people something they didn’t expect: a veiled Muslim woman onstage cracking jokes about the things we’re all scared about.”
Hami also regaled the crowd with her experiences on the comedy circuit for the last 41/2 years. She said the 2001 terrorist attacks inspired her to leave behind jobs in finance, law and college admissions to pursue stand-up comedy.
“Humor is a great way to bring people together,” she said. “When they’re being entertained, they’re also listening to you.”
She said comedians such as Richard Pryor, Margaret Cho and Chris Rock have talked honestly about issues in ways that most people can’t or won’t.
“Through their humor they give us a window into their world,” she said. “A lot of what I talk about is the feeling of being left out, of not belonging.”
Hami performed at the school’s new College Hour, a midday block each Wednesday during which no classes are scheduled. The new community-building series also will include performances, lectures, dance workshops and films.
Jes Gonzalez, a senior from Rochester, said she especially enjoyed Hami’s talk about her experiences as one of the few female Muslim stand-up comics.
“It wasn’t dry because she used her own situation,” she said. “It was very entertaining because we’re all curious about how Muslims perceive what’s going on.”
Zech Azazi, a freshman from Mayfield, is of German, Arab and Persian descent. He said Hami’s ability to find humor in serious issues resonated with him.
“It was interesting hearing someone else talk about the same things I’ve experienced,” he said.
Hami said any messages audiences might glean from her act are a welcome bonus of her main mission.
“I hope they walk away and go, `That was funny,”’ she said. “If on top of that I can get them thinking, seeing things from my point of view, then I’m really happy. But ultimately, I just want them to laugh.”
(Fred A. Mohr writes for the Post-Standard in Syracuse, N.Y.)
KRE/LF END MOHR
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