(Source: CNN)

Sacha Baron Cohen’s new role as a fictional Middle Eastern tyrant in his movie “The Dictator” is causing plenty of controversy.

Commentators like Dean Obeidallah have criticized the actor, who is not of Middle Eastern descent, for portraying an Arab man, especially since the character is intended to reflect stereotypes.

Actor and comedian Aasif Mandvi of “The Daily Show” talked to CNN’s Susanne Malveaux about what he sees as Hollywood’s “whitewashing,” or casting white actors in ethnic roles. In the video above, Mandvi gives his take on why he thinks “whitewashing” persists, even in an ever-growing multicultural society.

Statement by US President Barack Obama on same-sex marriage:

“Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer: I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. I hope you’ll take a moment to watch the conversation, consider it, and weigh in yourself on behalf of marriage equality.

I’ve always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.

But over the course of several years I’ve talked to friends and family about this. I’ve thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, I’ve gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction.

What I’ve come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens.

Even at my own dinner table, when I look at Sasha and Malia, who have friends whose parents are same-sex couples, I know it wouldn’t dawn on them that their friends’ parents should be treated differently.

So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.”

(Source: Daily Mail, May 4th, 2012)

A woman has branded her daughter’s school as racist after she was sent a letter in Hindi - despite the fact she speaks English. Mother-of-three Raheela Ahmed insists the only reason she was sent the letter was because of her Asian name.

She said: ‘I have been really offended. It is just insulting to send me a letter in another language. ‘I think it was in Hindi and they have just assumed because of my surname that I speak one of those languages. ‘You are trying to be racist towards me - this is how I felt when I got the letter.’

A qualified classroom assistant, Mrs Ahmed of Seaton Burn, North Tyneside, has lived in England for 15 years. The letter outlined times she could drop her daughter Aysha, eight, off at school as she had been dropped off too early.

She said: ‘The only thing I could understand was the date, a time of 8.45am and my daughter’s name.

Click here to read the full article in the Daily Mail.

Proportionally, members of the black and ethnic minority community are more likely to attend a UK Premier League match than the overall population. Although no research has been done in the Netherlands in this field, recent research has shown that proportionally more Moroccan, Surinamese and Caribbean Dutch are watching Eredivisie Live, the Pay TV channel on the premier Dutch football league, than the overall population.

Ajax and Feyenoord are likely to be the most popular teams among ethnic minoritities. The above video, a Feyenoord rap by U-niq and Winne, was launched today just before the match in Rotterdam between Feyenoord and Ajax.

(From Football Marketing, January 2, 2012)

Research commissioned by the governing body found that the Premier League “is seen to have reflected changes in broader British society, which has become more tolerant towards different cultural and religious groups”. It found there is a greater problem regarding racism around the England team and in the lower divisions.

According to Populus, nearly 50% more members of the black and ethnic minority community attend Premier League matches than are a proportion of the overall population. The research also discovered a third more ethnic minorities follow Premier League clubs than fans who are white.

While Suárez is likely to appeal his eight-match ban after being found guilty of making racist comments to Patrice Evra of Manchester United – and Terry’s case will be heard at a London magistrates’ court in February – the Premier League told the Observer it is confident more ethnic minority fans are attending games, where “policing, stewarding, CCTV and new stadia” are helping to make them feel welcome.

Click here to read the full article on Football Marketing.

(CNN) Lowe’s has pulled its advertising from the reality TV show “All-American Muslim,” which the retail store called a “lightning rod.”

“All-American Muslim” is an eight-part series that follows five Muslim families living in Dearborn, Michigan.

“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,” the company said in a statement Saturday.

“We believe it is best to respectfully defer to communities, individuals and groups to discuss and consider such issues of importance.”

The conservative Florida Family Association, which is pushing advertisers to drop “All-American Muslim,” cheered Lowe’s decision. The group called the TLC show “propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values.”

Click here to read the full article on CNN.