The keynote speaker at Evansville’s Equality Day luncheon was an unusual choice: an Iranian-American who calls herself a social justice comedian.
Negin Farsad says she grew up in the U.S. without icons, because there were no Iranian-American Muslims on TV or in the movies.
She also told the crowd at Old National Events Plaza that she’s finds it offensive when people ask her about terrorism.
("You cannot explain the sins of your fellow Muslims just as white people can't explain cargo pants.")
Farsad told WNIN that comedy is a good way to make statements.
("Comedy is the best tool because people open up, they laugh, you can sneak a bunch of stuff in in those moments of openness. Laughter is the great lubricant.")
Meantime, Patty Avery was celebrated as this year’s Albion Fellows Bacon honoree.
Avery has returned to Evansville after working for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington D.C.