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 One of the families on TLC's "All-American Muslim."
December 12th, 2011
10:29 PM ET
My Take: Is ‘All-American Muslim’ begetting all-American bigotry?
By Arsalan Iftikhar, Special to CNN Imagine for a moment that a major American corporation decided to remove its commercials from a reality television show highlighting the everyday lives of Latinos, African-Americans, members of the LGBT community or Jewish Americans because of coordinated letter-writing campaigns from right-wing organizations. If you think this kind of bigotry could not happen in modern-day America, you would be absolutely wrong. The hardware and building supply chain Lowe’s has pulled its TV commercials from future episodes of TLC’s new reality show “All-American Muslim” after a letter-writing campaign by the Florida Family Association, a Christian group. The Tampa-based organization has urged companies to pull ads because it alleges the show is “propaganda clearly designed to counter legitimate and present-day concerns about many Muslims who are advancing Islamic fundamentalism and Sharia law.” This argument is lunacy and is a pretext for bigotry against Muslims, plain and simple. Using this sophomoric logic, the TLC reality show "Sister Wives" is a covert campaign to promote fundamentalist Mormon polygamy across America. Nonetheless, in response to the growing controversy, Lowe's issued a terribly weak statement (and non-apology) on its Facebook page which states, in part: “Lowe’s has received a significant amount of communication on this program, from every perspective possible. Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views on this topic, and this program became a lightning rod for many of those views. As a result, we did pull our advertising on this program.” Wait a minute, Lowe’s. Exactly what "topic" are you talking about? Are we 7 million American Muslims merely a "topic" to discuss in today’s America? In 2011, do we live in a country in which an entire minority group can be dehumanized as a “topic?” Plus, it is cowardly for Lowe’s not to even mention this "topic" (aka Muslims) by name in its public statements. What if right-wing groups were mobilizing against a television show highlighting the everyday lives of Latinos, African-Americans, Jewish people or gay people? Would Lowe’s have buckled? Of course not. What makes this national controversy all the more troubling is that many of the more than 12,000 comments responding to Lowe’s Facebook statement endorse the chain store’s decision, and in jingoistic language that is a lot less oblique than Lowe’s. Here are some of the comments that were showcased by BuzzFeed: - “Thank you Lowes, for pulling your advertising from “All American Muslims” show (there is no such thing as “All American Muslims”).” - “[The women on the TLC show] were almost pretty, till they put rags on their heads.” - “How dare these people come into our country and try to take over and push their religion onto us!” - “Thank you for pulling your support for American Muslim, now I will come back and shop in your stores.” I wonder whether these people would ever have the guts to say these same things about other religious and ethnic groups in America today. Do these people know that the cast members for "All-American Muslim" include a federal agent and a deputy chief of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, both of whom are proud American Muslims? Do they know that some of America’s foremost heroes and celebrities, from boxer Muhammad Ali to comedian Dave Chappelle, are proud Muslims? Just as anti-black, anti-Semitic, homophobic or anti-Latino campaigns should have no place in our country, it is important for Americans of all races, religions and ethnicities to stand up against the bigoted campaign against "All-American Muslim." Otherwise, TLC might as well change the name of its show to "All-American Bigotry." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Arsalan Iftikhar. soundoff (2,079 Responses)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Next »
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  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's note: Arsalan Iftikhar is an international human rights lawyer, global media commentator and author of the book
If Lowes would pull their ads from any show featuring a Kardashian, they'd get my business for life.
I'm with you there!
Why do these far right-wing Christian groups seemingly represent all Christians in the same manner that terrorist groups seemingly represent all Muslims?? Because we allow them to. We are so afraid of voicing our own opinion in fear that we'll appear like them that we unwittingly allow them to be our voice. You need to speak up people and represent your own thoughts and opionions without fear.... because if we don't there is only more of this to come. I am a conservative Christian and I say let the show go on and be supported. I want to know what everyday Muslims look like and not just the portrait I've been feed by the media and my local pulpit.
Well said.
Well said!
Good for you. Best neighbors I ever had were a Muslim family. Oddly enough we had almost everything but religion in common. Americans living in America having something in common. Hmmm....
Thank you J_Ex. I am also a Christian and I agree with your views. I believe the majority of Americans agree with religious freedom regardless of what this minority thinks. God Bless America!
Well put. I still remember Ali in an interview after 9-11 he said that Islam was not what the terrorists practiced. I have said the same thing about these right wing groups. Seems to me that OBL has set in play the events to destroy us since we are divided amongst our selves and divided we will fall! So hopefully we can find a way to come together.
you are a good person
And if you actually read the Bible you would know that the Ismaelites (Arabs) are the enemy of the 12 tribes of Israel (Jacob). We have three systems in place – Catholic church and it's daughters, false Jewish and Islam.
For instance, why does the catholic church want their people to call themselves "catholic" instead of "christian"? So, that you take the NAME of the beast.
The American Taliban takes a back seat to no one when it comes to small minded bigotry. Fortunately the only promote the killing of abortion doctors (for now).
For God's sakes, people, our country is a melting pot. Live and let live, and get over yourself.
Germany wanted England to be a melting pot back during the war, and Poland, and Russia, and France. You're an idiot if you think the Muslims aren't hellbent on turning this country into THEIRS!
There's a lot more Islamic extremists than there are Christian extremists, and the difference is among both of them, there's a greater number of VIOLENT extremists among the Muslims. THAT'S the difference between the two. The Old Testament is full of violence, but Christians don't take it literally like the Muslims do. And if any of you left wing bleeding heart liberals out there don't understand the difference, you're as much a threat to this country as the Muslims. But instead of trying to understand the correlation between the two, you're busy typing up your next nonsensical response.
Show me one shred of evidence that even a sizable minority of Muslim Americans are trying to turn this into a Muslim nation. I can show you millions of Christians trying to turn our great country into a theocracy like so many Muslim nations are.
Little Adolf,
you are STUPID....that is the only word to describe your ignorant reply. You are grouping all Muslims together as a whole. We are individuals. Thank goodness because I would NEVER want to be classified the same as you!
Hey Mark, sorry buddy. Just look at the UK, It's majority Muslim over there already, or haven't you heard? Typical liberal, only hears and sees what he wants to and ignores the facts. You FAIL.
@MarkinFL, what's the matter, no argument now? You asked me to prove what I said, and when I pointed to the whole UK, you ran away with your tail between your legs like a typical liberal does when confronted with facts. Go spread your bleeding heart liberal crap somewhere else. This is America, jerk.
@Hot Carl
Actually the religious composition of the UK according to the CIA Worldfact Book (the one produced by the United States Central Intelligence Agency) states that over 71% of the population is Christian. The next highest group is atheist or agnostic at 20 %. Troll
@MarkInFL: I worked with a large group of Muslims before I retired...ONE of the comments that was made is"we don't have to go to war with American....We will take you over from the inside." You can say what you want but I saw too much to be comfortable.
@Kit, you're RIGHT!
@EnlightenedOne.......elitist much? Think it can't happen here? You'll be the first to bend over when the uprising starts, and the first to lose your head!
@HotCarl
Not really, just pointing out that you bullied the other commenter with no facts, yet you become angry and somewhat vile when presented facts. Just pointing out errors in your logic, something your teachers or parents should have done long ago. Troll
Where would we be without guys like Carl and Adolf? Well, for one thing, there wouldn't have been a Beerhall Putsch...
I understand it's wrong to treat Muslims poorly, but why does everyone think it's OK to go after Christians?
Remember to try and stay ON TOPIC during your post.
Well, I'm agreeing with the author by saying that Muslims should be treated properly, and also wondering why Christians are always left out of the equal treatment mindset of liberals.
Because Christians won't cut your head off with a dull butter knife for disagreeing with them.
Because most Christians are the first to push their beliefs on every one else. Lowe's decision to pull Adds from the show was in direct response to the harassment from a right wing Christian group. Quite frankly it was wrong for Lowe's to pull the adds, and the fact so many people have an issue with Muslims is kinda disappointing.
Some Christians take the rap because they in their ever loving spirit are always knocking the other guy.
Because the group behind it was the "Family of Association Group," a christian group. And you probably have a point that not all anti-muslim rhetoric is coming from christian groups. Because we would be falling into the same argument that because some muslims are extremist terrorist, all muslims are terrorist. But, lets be honest, much of the rhetoric, not all, is coming from conservative christian groups for whatever reason. I guess god's command "love thy neighbor" must include "unless he is a muslim."
Misha Gastonai
Well, I'm agreeing with the author by saying that Muslims should be treated properly, and also wondering why Christians are always left out of the equal treatment mindset of liberals.
--
Please Misha, elaborate on how the liberals are persecuting Christians. I really don't see it, and would like details from someone that obviously does.
Lowe's is not being anti-Muslim. They feel they will lose business by having their ads shown on a reality show. Should we criticize Home Depot for not advertising during the same show???
I I just creaqted an account at Lowes website andsent them an email to tell them I thought it was a mistake on their part to cancel those ads because these religious loonies complained. They are more of a threat to the US of A than these Muslims.
Lowes is more of a threat to the US than Muslims? That's brilliant, just brilliant?
Your point makes no sense. They are not only being Anti-Muslim, but Anti-American. They did not pull their commercials because it was bad for business, they pulled them because of pressure from a small Christian Fundamentalist group. There are 8million Muslims in this country, they need those customers. If they had just ignored the florida group, I assure you no one would have heard about it.
By Florida Family's logic, all Christians are hateful bigots since Westboro Baptist Church members are hateful bigots ... or, all Christians are murders since Anders Behring Brevik (Norwegian Christian terrorist) was a murderer.
Yes, some Islamic muslims are extremists/terrorists, but not all of them are.
Well said Jenn!
Thank you, Jenn. Well said.
I agree. And not all atheists are mass-murdering f-heads just because Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and Chairman Mao were. Come on, people. Didn't the Civil Rights Movement 50 years ago teach us ANYTHING?
Great point, I consider those Phelps parasites infinitely more destructive to this nation than any Muslim I've met. This was never and will never be a Christian nation, get over yourselves. Most of the founding fathers were hesitant of the Church's role in the nation and rejected their influence. This is the greatest nation on Earth because of our diversity not due to our bigotry.
A business decision to air or remove ads is just that: a business decision. Not bigotry. However, demanding money to support a show is a form of extortion. As a "lawyer" you should know that. Shame on you!!! Btw, why haven't you raised a stink about authorities in Dubai refusing permission to film the move Body of Lies there because of the script's political themes? Guess it's only bigotry when YOU deem it to be.
This statement is on a specific subject. if we were discussing the Body of Lies filming, there may have been an opinion on that issue. But that's not what this discussion is about. You would have to write for days to list all of the injustices put upon innocent people. How sad, that as Americans, we would ever judge a single person based on what someone else of their race or background has done in the past. We are moving backwards in a world that has come so far and overcome major adversities to be the country we are today. Treating American Muslims this way is no different than the mindset of a white sepremicist's beliefs. Haven't we discovered that the color of someone's skin or who their ancestor's were bear no significance to who they are as a single person? As caucasions, do we all want to be compared to Charles Manson or Timothy McVeigh....or even Jeffrey Dahmer? I do not think so. We have to wake up!
Because it is in Dubai you idiot. We are America, we're supposed to be better than this, better than any other country in the world and that includes in being compassionate and tolerant.
I love how when people are losing an argument on the merits of what we SHOULD be doing in the US, they always want to compare us to the rest of the world. Aren't we supposed to be better than "them?"
I knew a real ultra-nasty rightwing white supremacist from a previous job who would be almost beside himself over the fact that blacks were portrayed positively on some TV shows, whereas of course he "knew" that they were all subhuman brutes. I don't see the difference between the Florida Family Association and this neo-Nazi guy. And Lowes' actions are AT BEST cowardly.
Lowe's action was a business decision, as was HD's (they pulled out too) based upon complaints they received from people that were actual customers. It seems that the prissy liberal contingent wasn't very active in doing home repair...
Anyone? Anyone? Guess it's easier to pick up a phone and call a Lowe's customer who actually could plumb a new water line and tile a kitchen. Anyway, comparing a conservative group with Nazis is just what I've come to expect of you, Richardson. I bet you're a real drama queen at home, too.
Bigoted or not, people with money (ie: white people) shop at Lowe's. It ain't rocket science fktard. The place ain't called rims and btches.
Remember what they taught you in college writing courses: Audience and purpose!
The only reason to protest a positive portrayal of muslims is the desire to maintain ignorance and hatred. While Lowe's decision was based on money, the protest from the christian group is less clear. Was it bigotry, or was it the cynical desire to preserve an "enemy" for their followers to rally against? Either way, it is anti-American. American-born muslims have exactly the same rights as American-born christians.
If you can't distinguish between the actions of prejudiced, bigoted individuals and an ideology that systematically teaches and insists on prejudice and bigotry by all its followers, you have a serious problem.
So Eric Rudolph, a Christian terrorist, responsible for the Atlanta Olympic bombings, who bombed abotion clinics and gay bars is serving time for his crimes. Should we based on his actions paint ALL christians as terrorists? Of course not! To do the same to all Muslims is stupid and un-American. hamsta and your ilk should open your minds up and follow American values, not the bigoted vile crap that has come outta your heads here.
has anyone figured out yet that the reason we keep jumping from muslim country to muslim country fighting a war is because we dont hold all muslims accountable.some of my ancestors are german.the crimes of hitler and the nazi party were held against all germans.they where told that its their fault,they could have stopped it but chose not to that they let it happen and that they where going to clean it up.that kind of treatment assured thd nazi party would never rise to power again and thats how the muslims should be treated as well.
You think that all Muslims should have stopped the actions of 9/11? How could they? They were just as shocked and appalled as everyone else when it happened. There was not a network that told all Muslims about the plans. That would be like saying that all Christians knew about the actions of Timothy McVeigh or the other various Christian subsects who commit atrocities here on American soil. Oh but wait, Right Wing Christians are immune from bigotry, is that it?
A little problem here. Muslim is a religion not a country. It is part of many independent nations. There is absolutely NO comparison to the situations. Also WWII was not a few individual actions.
Hamsta, your information is flawed...The Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War 1 heavily punished the German people and forced them to pay for the crimes of Kaiser Wilhelm. This directly led to the RISE of the Nazi party. The allies did not want the German people to pay for Hitler's crimes because they knew that it WOULD lead to more parties like the Nazi's coming to power.
Please someone tell me how and where can i watch"ALL AMERICAN MUSLIM" on internet.Please
I can tell you where to watch Fringe. It's about as realistic.
cnn acts as if blacks mexicans and gays blew up the twin towers.that was an act of war commited by who?MUSLIMS.bethany if u want to be a muslim thats ur right,but maybe u need to go to pakistan.i bet u would find u would rather be christian in america.
Oh.I just read that a person of your belief killed people.Shall i label you killer as well? please grow up
@hamsta Such outrageous ignorance. People like you are a joke and give a bad name to well-meaning Christians everywhere. Are you even aware of the fact that Jesus is a prophet in Islam? That the three major religions are all about worshipping the same Big Guy? Of course not, because I doubt you've ever bothered to read up on anything intelligent.
So I guess using your logic, I can safely say that all whites are murderers because one man walked into a college and shot a bunch of people, and the shooter at the Texas middle school this morning was also white. You sir, are an idiot!
When muslims fight, americans have problem.When they show reality show(peacefully),still americans have problem.Problem,problem problem!
I always used to tell my fellow countrymen(in muslim country) that americans as people are not racist and very accepting.They are just misunderstood but this incident proved me wrong .America still has lots of bigots.
We are still burdened with a HUGE number of bigots. Frankly, humans as a whole are pretty bigoted, that is why the wise people that created our Consti.tution included as many protections as they could for the minority. We are a country of laws not mob rule. But the mob sure does fight that as hard as they can. They do not even recognize how unAmerican they are.
I am a white, American women, a journalism student and a recent convert to Islam. I wear the hijab, say my prayers and go to the Mosque on Friday. I was raised a Christian but always felt drawn to Islam, and finally had enough courage to go to the Mosque one Friday afternoon. I was afraid at first out of ignorance and fear that mainstream America puts in our heads about Islam, but what I have found has been beautiful. Muslims are devout people who love God. Everyone in the community has been kind, sincere, and genuinely supportive of my decision to convert. I have felt no judgement from anyone, and have been welcomed with open arms. I really wish that more Christians would go to the Mosque at least once in their lifetime because I know if they did, then they would not only see the beauty in Islam, but also the beauty in the hearts of those who submit. Also, I just want to verify that I did not convert for marriage purposes. I converted of my own free will.
Well, isn't that special...
"I really wish" that women who want to voluntarily convert to Islam first realize that they are nothing more than unwitting tools of dogmatic hypocrisy, instrumental in the perpetuation of the world's most misogynistic and contradictory following.
Anyway, enjoy. Peace, love and all that...
Isn't that sweet ...
Welcome back to the stone age where woman are secondary citizens. Why not go to the birth place and enjoy your peaceful religion? While you are there (1 among the many wifes), try talking about woman rights and see how woman are treated.
In this day and age not all muslims are terrorists but the majority (close to 95% or more) of terrorists are muslims
Sister, May Allah gives you the strength and guidance to continue your journey to spread the Truth. Justice will prevail if not on earth , it will be in heaven
Trading one repressive religion for another is hardly an improvement.
why must you submit to tyranny? But your right Muslims are a lot better to other Muslims then Christians are to other Christians but they still teach hate of nonbelievers, they both have that convert or die thing going on.
Bethany, as a Christian who does not hate muslims or people of any other faith, if that's what you want to do, then fine for you. I would also like to see muslims and people of other faith going to Church too so they can see the Truth in Christ!
@MarkinFL
Backpedal much?
Maybe you can go over to the Arab countries when they are about to stone a little girl to death for showing her face or are hanging some mutliated American servicemen on a bridge and smiling for the camera underneath the dangling nody parts, or even go watch a beheading of some innocent person in the name of the Koran. That would really make your day, would't it?
Google Muslim atrocities and see what your new found "faith" is good for....MURDER in cold blood...
May I suggest a novel idea to everyone posting in this thread. Perhaps Muslims are different wherever you go, just like every other religion or group. There are always bound to be individuals who will abuse and demean others in the name of religion. That being said, Americans have the impression that Islam is a barbaric religion, what they do not understand is that those they have seen on tv or in the news behaving in such a away do so because of their cultural and political customs, not their religion. The same individuals who claim Islam is backwater or barbaric should really invest some time doing some research into other groups and religions and see what they have done in the past, I can guarantee you that at times it will not be pretty. As a disclaimer, I am a teacher and a Agnostic, my particular field is the social sciences specifically sociology, political science, anthropology, and history.
i dont know about the rest of america but it seems in new orleans that every time america goes to war the enemy gets convenience stores to make a profit to fund the war.dont forget the terrorists where american muslims also.im not buying into the propoganda that muslims are nice people if i cant even go to the convenience store and be treated kindly.
YOU R KID
“Whoever does any work on a holy day: put to death”
“anyone who blasphemes: stone him.”
“worship other gods: stone the guilty ones to death”
“stubborn and rebellious son: stone him to death.”
“man is found lying with a married woman: both of them shall die”
“virgin engaged to another man and he lies with her: stone them to death”
“Whoever strikes his father or his mother: put to death”
"Anyone who says cruel things to his father or mother: put to death.”
“anyone who curses his father or his mother: put to death”
“man who commits adultery with another man's wife: they shall be put to death.”
"man or woman who is a medium or a fortune-teller: stone them to death"
From the Quran? Nope. From the Bible
Take a quick look around... do 'ya see any Christians doing any of that archaic claptrap?
@BG With the beef you seem to have, I can totally see you doing all of that.
I never thought that a company would be forced to advertise on a program in america ...
Is this communist russia or capitalist america? The two are getting difficult to distinguish these days.
Observer, you posted scriptures over folks having a day of rest after working all week? There’s a Christmas tale about you Mr. Scrooge. Christians already know that you disrespect Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and now we find you complaining about the r-ape and a-dultry scriptures, which tells us you disrespect women too. You complain about the scriptures of what makes a criminal, and you’re telling us that the charlatans of this world should be able to gain money through deceitful methods.
Take your foolish communist mentality back to your homeland because our USA is not for the likes of you.
Amen.
your ignorance of the bible is pathetic. No christians follow this O.T. Law. Let alone try to make your fearful mind obey it. Get a N.T. man. Find out how the Lord Jesus Christ wants to set you free.
the new testament says to honor the old testament, as does the Quran and further more Christian pesters are charlatans
Sam Yaza, thank you. It's obvious that Peter is as foolish as the non-believers, while pretending to be a believer.
Amen.
Christians are all about religious freedom, as long as that religion is christianity.
Oh, please. You -really- want to start making comparisons between Christian and Islamic "religious freedom?"
Really?
All religions are false, but this it the United States. We have freedom of religion. I'm an atheist and even I can see the value of that freedom. Take away it away and we're no better than the islamic nations you're b!tching about. The christian delusion is no better than the islamic delusion. Get over yourself.
So, freedom of religion – good, but religion – bad. Got it. We've got the freedom, but we're stupid if we use it. Glad we got that straightened out.
Be careful. If you keep focusing on Christianity you might be taken for a bigot instead of an atheist. Yeah, I know there's a fine line there. Downright razor-thin.
Did I say you can't worship as you please? Get over yourself.
...but of course it's a restrictive "delusion."
You're still a confused little guy, aren't you? Tell you what. Sit down and work it all out in your head, then try to make better sense of it all and then get back to us.
Yum. Two "get over yourself(s)" in one string. Running on fumes there, T. In more ways than one.
You seem to think that you have the right to discriminate against non-christian religions based on your personal religious bigotry. This is exactly the same bigotry I referenced in my original post. Thank you for proving my point.
Only as much as one can "prove" your circular, yet so perfectly judgmental, line of reasoning. (Yeah, I'm taking some liberties using the word 'reasoning' here. Consider it a Christmas gift.)
Yes, BG, freedom to do certain stupid things is indeed a good thing.
And of course you are back in the forum for your favorite topic, Muslim baiting.
Anyway, freedom of religion in the west doesn't stem from Christianity, but from humanism. The Muslim countries could use more humanism,
Hey, Richardson. How's your new WordPress blog with the 10th grade math working out for you?
Can't get to it much, BG! But it's an enjoyable occasional diversion!
Tallu13 still in the closet about being a Muslim? Time for you to come out.
Yes religion is a delsuion, and stupid. Look at all the stupid comments on this stupid thread about a stupid tv show that a stupid company stupidly pulled it's stupid advertising from. Stupid stupid stupid. Oh, and did I mention Stupid?
"Imagine there's no countries,
It isn't hard to do,
Nothing to live or die for,
And no religion too"
John Lennon
You're so much cooler when you never pull it out
Cause you look so much cuter with something in your mouth.
Nickelback
Who is John Galt?
LOL
So Ayn you have been reincarnated:
"John Galt is a fictional character in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged (1957). Although he is not identified by name until the last third of the novel, he is the object of its often-repeated question "Who is John Galt?" and of the quest to discover the answer.
As the plot unfolds, Galt is acknowledged to be a creator, philosopher, and inventor who symbolizes the power and glory of the human mind. He serves as an idealistic counterpoint to the collectivist social and economic structure depicted in the novel. The depiction portrays a society based on oppressive bureaucratic functionaries and a culture that embraces stifling mediocrity and egalitarianism, which the novel as-sociates with socialistic idealism. In the novel's ideology, the industrialists of America were a metaphorical Atlas of Greek mythology, holding up the Earth, whom Galt persuades to "shrug", by refusing to lend their productive genius to the regime any longer."
Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/john-galt-1#ixzz1gO76ZzSl
@ R
The question was, as in the novel, a rhetorical. Ungodly, I'm impressed that you got it. Thanks for the background info, Reality. I'm sure the reference would have gone unappreciated by the majority on these boards.
Remember, all you aspiring Marxists out there.. always read the opposition!
Who gives a s#it?
That kid in the middle is doing an EXCELLENT impersonation of "Pat" the u n i s e x character on SNL back in the day.