Backlash on Terrorist Angle

[Crimson Platypus 0]

Can't you see that all you are doing is proving the character correct?

[Guest jumpingbombangel]

Let's fill in the blanks you seem so adamant about leaving behind:

 

"You see masked men wearing faux-army fatigues beating someone and using a garotte to evoke images of removing one's head from one's body in a group led by an Arab-American who consistently decries what in his mind is a prevalent anti-Arab sentiment, which then carries away their fallen comrade in a ritualistic display of honour for sacrifice and right away your brain jumps to images of guys getting beheaded by terrorists. Quite a leap.

 

Is it starting to sink in yet?

 

And stop with the "replace A with B" strawman tactics, because it doesn't hold water.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I don't understand what end this whole thing is trying to get at. Are they trying to make Hassan someone you can feel sorry for because he takes a lot of shit in America for being Arab-American? Is the WWE trying to point at its own audience and say "ha-ha, you goddamn racist rednecks, you thought we were trying to play terrorists, weren't you?"

 

Or is Hassan just supposed to be another whiny Arab-American bitch who can justify a sneak-attack by claiming that it wasn't a "terrorist-like" attack, but just an attack on a guy they didn't like? If that's the case, why did they even need hoods? Why didn't they just stomp a mudhole in his ass instead of gathering around him to play with his neck?

[DokDoyle 0]

I agree, all this does is just make "Muhammad" (I use quotes as it is a character) correct. Everyone thinks he's a terrorist, because of who he is, not what he has done.

 

and I do think the "replace a with b" does hold water, simply put, a heel and his gang beat up a face to get heat for a PPV match. Happens at least once a month, stop looking for things to get upset about

[Guest Fishyswa]

Watch the promo on WWE.com, they've done it PERFECTLY.

 

All he had to do was get a bunch of guys together, put them in ski masks and camo, have them beat up his opponent, and everyone cries terrorist. Just more fuel to his character and it's just sad that all this bullshit uproar led to him not being on SD this week.

[Guest jumpingbombangel]

Watch the promo on WWE.com, they've done it PERFECTLY.

 

All he had to do was get a bunch of guys together, put them in ski masks and camo, have them beat up his opponent, and everyone cries terrorist. Just more fuel to his character and it's just sad that all this bullshit uproar led to him not being on SD this week.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Totally unnecessary on the part of the WWE to make a "victim of racism" into a heel. What's the point? He makes Arab-Americans look like whiny bitches.

 

Oh, wait, that *is* the point...I GET IT NOW! Arab-Americans are whiny bitches!

[DokDoyle 0]

Watch the promo on WWE.com, they've done it PERFECTLY.

 

All he had to do was get a bunch of guys together, put them in ski masks and camo, have them beat up his opponent, and everyone cries terrorist. Just more fuel to his character and it's just sad that all this bullshit uproar led to him not being on SD this week.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Totally unnecessary on the part of the WWE to make a "victim of racism" into a heel. What's the point? He makes Arab-Americans look like whiny bitches.

 

Oh, wait, that *is* the point...I GET IT NOW! Arab-Americans are whiny bitches!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I disagree, I don't think the WWE had any choice but to make him a heel. He had his promo's booed before anyone knew anymore about his character other then the fact he was Arab-american

[Guest Fishyswa]

^Exactly. He was booed from the start, his resentment is natural considering the reaction he immediately got.

[Dangerous A 0]

But the content of the promos was Hassan being a whiny Arab-American. Add to that the fact he comes out in the turban and his entrance music and yeah, WWE is playing the race card on this.

 

I'll point back to the Sonjay Dutt example. He doesn't come out in a turban or doesn't have the Arab music as his entrance, yet people aren't chanting "USA" at him and he is in fact, a face. (albeit somewhat of a jobber)

[slimm44 0]

I haven't read through all this, but about the same time last year JBL did the Hitler thing and look how it turned out. He was the champ two weeks later. So if that was a clue as to how they 'punish' outrageous stints, there is no way Hassan will lose at GAB

[Guest jumpingbombangel]

Watch the promo on WWE.com, they've done it PERFECTLY.

 

All he had to do was get a bunch of guys together, put them in ski masks and camo, have them beat up his opponent, and everyone cries terrorist. Just more fuel to his character and it's just sad that all this bullshit uproar led to him not being on SD this week.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Totally unnecessary on the part of the WWE to make a "victim of racism" into a heel. What's the point? He makes Arab-Americans look like whiny bitches.

 

Oh, wait, that *is* the point...I GET IT NOW! Arab-Americans are whiny bitches!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I disagree, I don't think the WWE had any choice but to make him a heel. He had his promo's booed before anyone knew anymore about his character other then the fact he was Arab-american

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Bullshit, the WWE is stupid but they ain't that dumb. They could have marketed this guy any way they wanted. He could be a face tomorrow if he did a run-in to rescue a super-over face. Sgt. Slaughter "got his country back" in a matter of weeks and a series of vignettes; the WWE could have made Hassan a face if they wanted. They didn't, though, because they wanted to go this way with it.

 

The only thing for a WWE fan to take home from this is that Hassan has a valid argument about the racism towards his people in the US yet he continues to bitch and moan about it and get boos, so that must be why he's still a heel. It'd be nice if wrestling fans didn't extend that sentiment about him to all Arab-Americans, but they will and they do.

 

I'll point back to the Sonjay Dutt example. He doesn't come out in a turban or doesn't have the Arab music as his entrance, yet people aren't chanting "USA" at him and he is in fact, a face. (albeit somewhat of a jobber)

 

Perfect example. Of course, the WWE also brought us Saba Simba and Papa Shango...then the Godfather and Sexual Chocolate...and now Viscera...so I'm guessing they're going for the visceral emotion (no pun intended) evoked by racial differences as opposed to the thinking man's mentality when it comes to race.

[DokDoyle 0]

But the content of the promos was Hassan being a whiny Arab-American. Add to that the fact he comes out in the turban and his entrance music and yeah, WWE is playing the race card on this.

 

I'll point back to the Sonjay Dutt example. He doesn't come out in a turban or doesn't have the Arab music as his entrance, yet people aren't chanting "USA" at him and he is in fact, a face. (albeit somewhat of a jobber)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Once Again, I have to disagree

 

At the very least, The first promo asked fans to judge him on what he did in the ring, not for who he was. This was booed, when he did nothing that could be considered heelish, trying to show himself as a underdog babyface, in my opinion.

 

If I remember this correctly, the second one in the store, he did nothing heelish, talking about "His", that being the characters experiences. Once again, not heelish, but it was booed.

 

As for Sonjay Dutt, If he was featured with any kind of personality, anywhere close to the amount that Hassan was, I believe you'd see the same thing.

[AndrewTS 0]

I haven't read through all this, but about the same time last year JBL did the Hitler thing and look how it turned out. He was the champ two weeks later. So if that was a clue as to how they 'punish' outrageous stints, there is no way Hassan will lose at GAB

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That was something JBL did on his own just to be a douchebag. It wasn't an angle written and approved by the entire booking team. So Hassan/Magnus shouldn't be punished for it regardless.

 

Hassan isn't a ten year + veteran that Vince obviously has taken a shine to, though.

[Guest jumpingbombangel]

Once Again, I have to disagree

 

At the very least, The first promo asked fans to judge him on what he did in the ring, not for who he was. This was booed, when he did nothing that could be considered heelish, trying to show himself as a underdog babyface, in my opinion.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I will always believe those promos were aimed at making him a heel. You don't just come on TV and say "Hey, looka me, I'm an a-rab American but don't worry about that when I'm in the ring! Now lemme let my friend translate that!"

 

If they were going for the keep neutral route, they would have had him come out to wrestle (no promos, no vignettes, nada) without the head gear (Jesus Christ, didn't the Iron Sheik teach us anything about heel fashion?) and all the other get up and just wrestle.

 

But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...

[DokDoyle 0]

I think we agree more then we disagree. Hassan could be a face, but to do so goes right to the heart of the character.

 

He was being "himself" (Character wise), a proud Arab-american, with his dress and his music. Why should he change his ways to be liked? Are you saying that if he kept the character, but saved Sgt. Slaughter or another superface, he'd automatically be a face. Not at all, it would get crapped all over. As long as he is shown as a Arab, he'll be looked at as a heel

[Special K 0]

Quit crying 'racist.' It would have been in poor taste if they did a Timothy McVeigh character too.

 

And while there's no required terrorist attire, I think the top suggested item is a ski mask. Why couldn't they have worn santo masks, or hockey masks, or anything else? Oh, yeah, because the WWE WANTED and INTENDED for you to infer that they were Muslim fanatics, the group of people that the U.S. is at war with now.

 

EDIT: Oh, and if you choke someone with piano wire in non-fakey world, it cuts his or her throat, mmmkay?

[Guest jumpingbombangel]

I think we agree more then we disagree. Hassan could be a face, but to do so goes right to the heart of the character.

 

He was being "himself" (Character wise), a proud Arab-american, with his dress and his music. Why should he change his ways to be liked? Are you saying that if he kept the character, but saved Sgt. Slaughter or another superface, he'd automatically be a face. Not at all, it would get crapped all over. As long as he is shown as a Arab, he'll be looked at as a heel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Wrestling fans have been conditioned to hate "the muzzie look" since the Iron Sheik pissed everyone off 20 years ago with it. They knew what they were doing, and they knew Hassan was gonna get booed the minute they slapped a sheet on his head.

 

Sabu, on the other hand, well, I'd be scared to confront him about his religious beliefs...

[DokDoyle 0]

Quit crying 'racist.' It would have been in poor taste if they did a Timothy McVeigh character too.

 

And while there's no required terrorist attire, I think the top suggested item is a ski mask. Why couldn't they have worn santo masks, or hockey masks, or anything else? Oh, yeah, because the WWE WANTED and INTENDED for you to infer that they were Muslim fanatics, the group of people that the U.S. is at war with now.

 

EDIT: Oh, and if you choke someone with piano wire in non-fakey world, it cuts his or her throat, mmmkay?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

There's only one Timothy Mcveigh, there's more then one Arab-american

 

and yes, piano wire does cut throats...did anyone say it was piano wire....I don't think I heard cole or Tazz say it was...the only place I saw that was spoilers

[Dangerous A 0]

Quit crying racist? Over the terrorist bit, you are right.

 

However, the whole Hassan character is one big race bait.

 

And DokDoyle, I'll disagree with you about Sonjay Dutt. While he doesn't get the promo time Hassan gets, TNA doesn't put an emphasis on his race. He gets over on the content of his in ring work.

 

As for Hassan's original promos, we'll just have to agree to disagree. I don't think they were intended to make Hassan an underdog babyface. Go back and listen to the commentary by Lawler and JR, he is definitely supposed to be a heel with a good point.

[DokDoyle 0]

I think we agree more then we disagree. Hassan could be a face, but to do so goes right to the heart of the character.

 

He was being "himself" (Character wise), a proud Arab-american, with his dress and his music. Why should he change his ways to be liked? Are you saying that if he kept the character, but saved Sgt. Slaughter or another superface, he'd automatically be a face. Not at all, it would get crapped all over. As long as he is shown as a Arab, he'll be looked at as a heel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Wrestling fans have been conditioned to hate "the muzzie look" since the Iron Sheik pissed everyone off 20 years ago with it. They knew what they were doing, and they knew Hassan was gonna get booed the minute they slapped a sheet on his head.

 

Sabu, on the other hand, well, I'd be scared to confront him about his religious beliefs...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sabu is the one that goes against your point. If wrestling fans were conditioned as you say, would he not have felt the backlash as well?

[Lord of The Curry 0]

JR treated Hassan fairly for maybe a week or two before he let loose his infamous "Love it or leave it line" which basically encompassed everything that is wrong with this angle in one neat lil package. Ross told everybody in one fell swoop "Fuck this guys opinions, he either agrees with us and loves the USA or we alienate and ostracize him".

[Guest jumpingbombangel]

I think we agree more then we disagree. Hassan could be a face, but to do so goes right to the heart of the character.

 

He was being "himself" (Character wise), a proud Arab-american, with his dress and his music. Why should he change his ways to be liked? Are you saying that if he kept the character, but saved Sgt. Slaughter or another superface, he'd automatically be a face. Not at all, it would get crapped all over. As long as he is shown as a Arab, he'll be looked at as a heel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Wrestling fans have been conditioned to hate "the muzzie look" since the Iron Sheik pissed everyone off 20 years ago with it. They knew what they were doing, and they knew Hassan was gonna get booed the minute they slapped a sheet on his head.

 

Sabu, on the other hand, well, I'd be scared to confront him about his religious beliefs...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sabu is the one that goes against your point. If wrestling fans were conditioned as you say, would he not have felt the backlash as well?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sabu never came out and said "hey I'm a Muslim". His claim to fame was being "related" to the original Sheik, hence the headgear. Totally different case that I included for levity. Good try, though.

 

Edit...Sabu never came out and said much of anything, really...

[DokDoyle 0]

I think we agree more then we disagree. Hassan could be a face, but to do so goes right to the heart of the character.

 

He was being "himself" (Character wise), a proud Arab-american, with his dress and his music. Why should he change his ways to be liked? Are you saying that if he kept the character, but saved Sgt. Slaughter or another superface, he'd automatically be a face. Not at all, it would get crapped all over. As long as he is shown as a Arab, he'll be looked at as a heel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Wrestling fans have been conditioned to hate "the muzzie look" since the Iron Sheik pissed everyone off 20 years ago with it. They knew what they were doing, and they knew Hassan was gonna get booed the minute they slapped a sheet on his head.

 

Sabu, on the other hand, well, I'd be scared to confront him about his religious beliefs...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sabu is the one that goes against your point. If wrestling fans were conditioned as you say, would he not have felt the backlash as well?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sabu never came out and said "hey I'm a Muslim". His claim to fame was being "related" to the original Sheik, hence the headgear. Totally different case that I included for levity. Good try, though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

You may have been trying to be funny, I'm not

 

You say wrestling fans have been conditioned to dislike anyone who wears a arab headdress. I think that Sabu proves that a character can be seen as more then an arab while still staying to the heart of a character.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Yeah, no matter what race you are you can still be sloppy, suck AND be mysteriously over despite it.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

Full transcript: Muhammad Hassan responds to the media

Submitted by Brian Cantor on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 1:46 PM EST

 

 

Because UPN refused to allow Hassan to appear on Thursday's SmackDown, the following response was taped for WWE.com:

 

I stand here tonight the only patriot left in America. I stand here tonight

perhaps even a martyr against tyranny and injustice. Because the fact is I am an AMERICAN professional wrestler, but because of my heritage, because of my background, because of who my ancestors were, I'm labeled - we're labeled terrorists. Terrorists; I'm a terrorist! Well it must be true - it's gotta be true - because it's right here in black and white, in a reputable source, like the New York Post.

 

What, you don't believe me? Here it is: "Terrorist Wrestles After Bombing." I'm a terrorist - we're terrorists. We wrestled after a bombing. Well, Mr. Don Kaplan, (to Daivari) have you ever met Don Kaplan? Have you ever spoken to Don Kaplan? Have you ever called Don Kaplan on the phone? Well, I never have either. So, if Don Kaplan of the New York Post has never met us, how does Don Kaplan know we're terrorists? Don Kaplan also wrote that "Arabs in ski-masks carried Daivari out as a sacrifice last week." Arabs in SKI-MASKS...in SKI-MASKS...in a ski-mask. How does he know that they were Arabs?

 

The point is, because of articles like this, because of the fear that the

media has put in all of you people, I have been denied my God-given right to pursue the profession of my choosing...to pursue the American Dream. I have been denied my basic rights as an American citizen. You know, as I look around this crowd and I look at all these faces looking at me in disgust, I think a lot of you have forgotten what this country was founded on. I think you have forgotten that your ancestors fought for their freedom. They gave their lives for their freedom - whether they be black, Irish-American, Italian-American, Jewish-American, Asian-American, they gave their lives for their freedom.

 

What's next? What's next? Because anytime anything goes wrong in this

country, it's the Arabs. When a plane crashes, it's the Arabs. When a bomb goes off, it's the Arabs. The blackout two summers ago - it was the Arabs. Hurricane Dennis must be the Arabs.

 

You people say what you want. Because I have a right to be in here. I have a right to say what I want. And what I'm going to say, my name is Muhammad Hassan. I am an Arab-American and I am very proud of my heritage. But, as an American, my first amendment rights have been trampled. And, I stand here before all of you ashamed of my country.

 

(Hassan rips the NYPost article as Daivari translates the speech)

[Guest jumpingbombangel]

I think we agree more then we disagree. Hassan could be a face, but to do so goes right to the heart of the character.

 

He was being "himself" (Character wise), a proud Arab-american, with his dress and his music. Why should he change his ways to be liked? Are you saying that if he kept the character, but saved Sgt. Slaughter or another superface, he'd automatically be a face. Not at all, it would get crapped all over. As long as he is shown as a Arab, he'll be looked at as a heel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Wrestling fans have been conditioned to hate "the muzzie look" since the Iron Sheik pissed everyone off 20 years ago with it. They knew what they were doing, and they knew Hassan was gonna get booed the minute they slapped a sheet on his head.

 

Sabu, on the other hand, well, I'd be scared to confront him about his religious beliefs...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sabu is the one that goes against your point. If wrestling fans were conditioned as you say, would he not have felt the backlash as well?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sabu never came out and said "hey I'm a Muslim". His claim to fame was being "related" to the original Sheik, hence the headgear. Totally different case that I included for levity. Good try, though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

You may have been trying to be funny, I'm not

 

You say wrestling fans have been conditioned to dislike anyone who wears a arab headdress. I think that Sabu proves that a character can be seen as more then an arab while still staying to the heart of a character.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Dude, Sabu's been a heel for the longest (and since when was he an outed Muzzie?). The only reason he was ever even considered a possible face was the ECW crowd respected him for putting his body on the line all his life like he did.

 

Now, if you put Hassan's gimmick in ECW it would have been laughed out of the house because everyone there would have known it was too retarded to go on.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

There is one certainty regarding Hassan: There is no positive way for this angle to end. It'll take a lot of bad press for WWE to release Hassan or at least take him off TV but they'd do it. This isn't like a JBL situation where the wrestler was the champ and had connections, this is an OVW kid in over his head with an angle that can't possibly lead to bigger things for him.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

Statement on Last Thursday's WWE SmackDown!

(http://corporate.wwe.com/parents/overview.jsp)

 

The acts of terrorism that occurred in London last week are untenable, and all freedom-loving people around the world have joined together to condemn them.

 

It would have been better if this segment did not coincide with the events in London last week. Putting timing aside, we believe the segment added an interesting dimension to our exploration of the Mohammed Hassan character and the plight of Arab-Americans in this country.

 

Essentially, Hassan called in some additional muscle in last week's

SmackDown! to beat on the Undertaker to give him an advantage in their #1 Contender match at the Great American Bash, a tactic used by other Superstars to gain a competitive advantage before a crucial match.

 

Because these henchmen wore masks and camouflage pants, and because Hassan is of Arab descent, some viewers may have leapt to the conclusion that these henchmen are terrorists. They are not, as our viewers will learn in future episodes.

 

Anyone who has followed the story of Mohammed Hassan knows that he is an American, born in Detroit, of Arab descent. He believes that since 9/11, he is being treated differently by his fellow Americans because of his Arab background. This has driven him to embrace his Arab roots, further estranging him from his fellow Americans. Many of the points Hassan raises have relevance to the prejudice of our society today. However, the way he goes about expressing these arguments is what turns people against him.

 

Hassan is not a terrorist. Because he is dissatisfied with some aspects of

America, and expresses those opinions, does not make him a terrorist.

Because he chooses to wear some Arab clothing does not make him a terrorist.

 

The men who assisted him last week may share the same feelings of

disenfranchisement experienced by Hassan, they may wear masks, but that also does not make them terrorists. Who and what they are will be revealed in the near future.

 

It is these stereotypical images that many people hold that we hope to

debunk as part of Hassan's story.

 

Ultimately, our focus is to entertain our viewers by telling compelling

stories with interesting characters who catch the public's imagination. When we can, we believe it adds to the characters and storylines to connect with topical issues. If, through Hassan's story, we raise the level of discussion on how Americans view their peers of Arab descent, than that is a welcome additional outcome.

 

Suffice it to say that WWE believes that in America, no matter what our

race, religious creed, ethnic backgrounds or opinions, we all share the

common bond of being Americans. We should all be open to the beliefs of individual Americans, recognizing that it is this diversity upon which

America is based. Through this storyline, we urge our viewers to keep an

open mind on these issues and issues expressed by other Americans with which they might not agree.

[DokDoyle 0]

I think we agree more then we disagree. Hassan could be a face, but to do so goes right to the heart of the character.

 

He was being "himself" (Character wise), a proud Arab-american, with his dress and his music. Why should he change his ways to be liked? Are you saying that if he kept the character, but saved Sgt. Slaughter or another superface, he'd automatically be a face. Not at all, it would get crapped all over. As long as he is shown as a Arab, he'll be looked at as a heel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Wrestling fans have been conditioned to hate "the muzzie look" since the Iron Sheik pissed everyone off 20 years ago with it. They knew what they were doing, and they knew Hassan was gonna get booed the minute they slapped a sheet on his head.

 

Sabu, on the other hand, well, I'd be scared to confront him about his religious beliefs...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sabu is the one that goes against your point. If wrestling fans were conditioned as you say, would he not have felt the backlash as well?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sabu never came out and said "hey I'm a Muslim". His claim to fame was being "related" to the original Sheik, hence the headgear. Totally different case that I included for levity. Good try, though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

You may have been trying to be funny, I'm not

 

You say wrestling fans have been conditioned to dislike anyone who wears a arab headdress. I think that Sabu proves that a character can be seen as more then an arab while still staying to the heart of a character.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Dude, Sabu's been a heel for the longest. The only reason he was ever even considered a possible face was the ECW crowd respected him for putting his body on the line all his life like he did.

 

Now, if you put Hassan's gimmick in ECW it would have been laughed out of the house because everyone there would have known it was too retarded to go on.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I fully agree that he was a heel, I don't think it was for as long as you say. The real heat of a heel run may have been the Team WWF, but that being said, I don't think that he was ever a heel for the "Arab" part of it. He was a general heel

[DokDoyle 0]

Statement on Last Thursday's WWE SmackDown!

(http://corporate.wwe.com/parents/overview.jsp)

 

The acts of terrorism that occurred in London last week are untenable, and all freedom-loving people around the world have joined together to condemn them.

 

It would have been better if this segment did not coincide with the events in London last week. Putting timing aside, we believe the segment added an interesting dimension to our exploration of the Mohammed Hassan character and the plight of Arab-Americans in this country.

 

Essentially, Hassan called in some additional muscle in last week's

SmackDown! to beat on the Undertaker to give him an advantage in their #1 Contender match at the Great American Bash, a tactic used by other Superstars to gain a competitive advantage before a crucial match.

 

Because these henchmen wore masks and camouflage pants, and because Hassan is of Arab descent, some viewers may have leapt to the conclusion that these henchmen are terrorists. They are not, as our viewers will learn in future episodes.

 

Anyone who has followed the story of Mohammed Hassan knows that he is an American, born in Detroit, of Arab descent. He believes that since 9/11, he is being treated differently by his fellow Americans because of his Arab background. This has driven him to embrace his Arab roots, further estranging him from his fellow Americans. Many of the points Hassan raises have relevance to the prejudice of our society today. However, the way he goes about expressing these arguments is what turns people against him.

 

Hassan is not a terrorist. Because he is dissatisfied with some aspects of

America, and expresses those opinions, does not make him a terrorist.

Because he chooses to wear some Arab clothing does not make him a terrorist.

 

The men who assisted him last week may share the same feelings of

disenfranchisement experienced by Hassan, they may wear masks, but that also does not make them terrorists. Who and what they are will be revealed in the near future.

 

It is these stereotypical images that many people hold that we hope to

debunk as part of Hassan's story.

 

Ultimately, our focus is to entertain our viewers by telling compelling

stories with interesting characters who catch the public's imagination. When we can, we believe it adds to the characters and storylines to connect with topical issues. If, through Hassan's story, we raise the level of discussion on how Americans view their peers of Arab descent, than that is a welcome additional outcome.

 

Suffice it to say that WWE believes that in America, no matter what our

race, religious creed, ethnic backgrounds or opinions, we all share the

common bond of being Americans. We should all be open to the beliefs of individual Americans, recognizing that it is this diversity upon which

America is based. Through this storyline, we urge our viewers to keep an

open mind on these issues and issues expressed by other Americans with which they might not agree.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

That says it better then I ever could. Nicely written

[Guest jumpingbombangel]

Because these henchmen wore masks and camouflage pants, and because Hassan is of Arab descent, some viewers may have leapt to the conclusion that these henchmen are terrorists. They are not, as our viewers will learn in future episodes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I have no idea how I ever saw those homeless ninja children as terrorists. I must be watching too much Fox News. Damn that (richer than Vince McMahon) Rupert Murdoch. I apologize, Vince.