Essay 1305

Ban, booze and boo-yah in a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Borat’s banned in Russia. The Federal Culture and Cinematography Agency effectively nixed the film, citing concerns that Borat would fuel already negative, violent feelings surrounding religion and ethnicity in the country. Borat becomes the first movie to be restricted in this way — besides pornography. Wonder if Russians would be more offended by Borat or Ron Jeremy.

• Back in the U.S.A., Borat is being sued by the frat boys who appeared in the movie, drinking and spewing racist remarks with the star. The guys charge that film producers got them drunk and tricked them into signing waivers. Now the young men are suffering from humiliation, emotional distress and loss of reputation. Is it possible to lose reputation if you don’t have any to begin with?

• Muslims across the nation — and across the world — are celebrating the victory of Minnesota’s Keith Ellison, the first Muslim in Congress. “It’s a step forward; it gives the Muslims a little bit of a sense of belonging,” said Osama A. Siblani, the publisher of The Arab American News, a weekly in Dearborn, Michigan. “It is also a signal to the rest of the world that America has nothing against Muslims. If we did, he wouldn’t have been elected.” A former senior Senate staff member added, “Congress needs to reflect the diversity of America, and that means its vibrant religious diversity as well. … It’s good to have diverse voices on the House floor, in committees and caucus meetings. It is good for the country to have different views aired, especially when the primary national issues relate to Islam and affect Muslims in this country and Muslims overseas.” No comment yet from Borat.