explain that there used to be a professional wrestler who carried the name. He was a caricature,
a Middle Eastern stereotype from his head, which was covered with a hatta, down to his
Sinbadesque slippers (that curl up to a point). For me, this is about smashing stereotypes. By
taking the name, I re-claim the image and re-write my own story with it.
Plus, he had a deadly and powerful move that often forced his enemies into submission -- the
Camel Clutch -- which my upcoming album pays tribute to. See, as a Palestinian, a member of a
group so oppressed and beaten up, we also only have one crushing move that will make doubters
submit: the truth. I am not here to say one side is good and one is bad, or to pass on nationalistic
ideas about us being morally perfect. This is about delivering a narrative that Israel has worked
too long to deny, our story of dispossession in 1948 and 1967, and the continued state of
oppression America and the powers that be ignore. That narrative is our Camel Clutch -- and
humanity cannot really progress until the self-proclaimed leaders of civilization (those in power)
acknowledge this history.
Hip-Hop is my mode of expression because it is the space most welcoming to marginal and
unheard voices. Artistic creation is the only semblance of power we can get in this world. Above
all, I hope that my work feeds into others' and inspires more self-expression, especially younger
generations.
Finally, I believe very strongly that humor is the best way to cope with an absurd reality. So I try
to have fun. But most importantly, "we gotta speak for ourselves and speak outloud, we can't be
ashamed, we gotta be proud."
-The Iron Sheik 2/2003
