Photo: Maz Jobrani
Standup comedian and actor Maz Jobrani ’93, whose family fled Iran in 1978 just before the revolution, spoke to more than 45,000 graduating seniors and their families at Berkeley’s May commencement. Recalling his journey, he proudly declared, “I am the American dream!” Currently starring in the CBS sitcom Superior Donuts, Jobrani offered both humor and seriousness in his wisdom. Watch the full speech.
Open your hearts
Immigrants and refugees aren’t just numbers. They are people coming to America for a better life. If I can drive home one point, it would be to put yourself in the shoes of the less fortunate and have empathy.
You are blessed to be graduating from one of the top institutions in the world. Not everyone has the opportunities that you do, so when you come across others who are less fortunate, be open to them and try to understand their experiences. Try to help them if you can. I went to a protest against the travel ban at LAX, and one of the coolest things I saw was all of the lawyers who were ready to volunteer their services to those in need. Be that lawyer!
Defend free speech
As someone born in Iran, where people fight for free speech on a daily basis — even dying for it — I urge you not to take it for granted.
I have done standup comedy around the world, and the first time I went to the Middle East in 2007, the promoters told us we could talk about anything we wanted except for sex, religion, and politics. Well, then, “Hello and goodnight!”
What makes America such a great country is our freedom of speech. While those countries were so insecure in their government that they didn’t want comedians to make fun of their leaders, I would argue we are encouraged to make fun of our leaders. If we limit free speech from the right, then we sound hypocritical when we criticize Trump for trying to delegitimize our free press. Let’s not be the ones attacking free speech, but the ones defending it.
Rock the boat
The travel ban reminded me that even though I’ve been here most of my life, my rights could be taken away at the drop of a hat, and it made me politically active.
Be politically active. Lord knows there are enough causes and protests to join. It would be easy to get into a 9 to 5, put your head down, and collect a check. The world needs you. You’ve got many battles to fight. Immigrant rights, women’s rights, Black Lives Matter, global warming, LGBTQ rights, and many more. Keep pushing the envelope of integration.
Final tips
#1 — Always tip! 20 percent if you can. What you put out in the world comes back to you, but it also feels good.
#2 — Find what you love and do it! And by the way, only you know what that is.
#3 — Go see the world … and I don’t mean a weekend in Cabo. Go to South America, go to Beirut! Yes! Visit the Muslim world. You will quickly see that Muslims are not out to get you. They just want you to buy a rug.
#4 — Never pay full price for the rug. Always negotiate.
#5 — Kiss your parents every time you see them.
