First of all, I would like to say that, when I first visited this site, I was pleased to see like-minded Arabs expressing themselves and finding a space to vocalize and represent the present state of “Arabness”. A partner-in-rhyme and great all around guy, Will, was around in several conferences that I had the pleasure to be invited to and I asked him if I could add to the blog by, well, blogging. He said he had to pass it by his co-bloggers and get back to me. A good friend of mine, Tarik, also wrote for Kabobfest and was pleased to see that I was going to be a part of the family.
Almost six months later, I leave. Let me say this. This page was an opportunity for us under-represented Arabs to present ourselves in a succinct, respectful, educated and true manner. Not once in my mind did I expect a group of arrogant, low self-esteem internet junkies to be out here trying to ‘snap’ (def: “yo mama is….you are…etc.) on each other.
This is my last blog on Kabobfest. Unfortunately, I was proven wrong. This is not an atmosphere for open-minded Arabs, but a place where you can breed idiotic inside jokes, self-gratuity in insulting the next man and all around ignorance. My beef (def: problem) is not with all of you, some people on here have great things to say and most definitely are intriguing as writers and people.
In the last 12 hours, I have been called: a wannabe gangster, a cracker (I’m Iraqi, go figure), a foreigner (yes, I am Canadian, but you are Arab in America, and that makes you what? A Local?), a no-lifer, and a “fucking idiot”. First of all, I am an educated Iraqi Canadian man who is proud of what he does and stands for. Buydatti, for you to make a ‘ebonics’ version of my post, and tell people I am an idiot and a wanabe gangster is disgusting. I probably do more than you for our people than you have ever done in your life you self-loathing ignorant bigot. Hip-Hop changed my life for the better, for you to shit on a culture that is as two-faced as you are goes to show that you are a person with no merit in my book. I don’t care if it’s a character you play (as you so eloquently warned me when I first entered this blogosphere) You crossed the line. Your proverbial shelter and ‘character’ is bullshit. You, especially as a programmer on this site, should be maintaining the credibility of our people (ARABS) and be smarter about your judgement on what you say and do. Know your role. Play it well. And roll with it. Don’t be an asshole for no reason. If we ever do meet face to face, I would like to tell you how I really feel about you. I am a man of good deed, if you ask anyone that knows me, I do not speak on things that I cannot defend or have facts about before laying out my opinion. You on the other hand are a, for a lack of better words, weak character.
As for calling me a weak writer, writing is what i do for a living. I get paid to do so and have a passion when it comes to rhyming, journalism and education. I am a graduate with a Masters degree to the person that said I write like I didn’t finish high school and am about to put out a book on Arab identity in Hip-Hop. I did this for our generation, for Arabs now. I know some will appreciate it and I don’t expect you all to like it either. I am not writing this because my personality is under attack, as a matter a fact, I don’t care if you like ME at all. But when you insult my intelligence, my way of being or what I believe in, then you can eat Iraqi Kabob (def: proverbial dick). As American citizens, to treat me as some kind of foreigner because I am Canadian is ignorant. You are all not Americans. America does not accept you nor does Canada necessarily accept me for who I am. We have to create a place for ourselves in this time. I am not an angry person, I see it for what it is and what it was. And it is no longer what it was. It being the world.
Peace onto you, your families, your laptops and your minds. I rest in pieces on Kabobfest. Enjoy your mental masterbation. I got bigger fish to fry. As someone mentioned before, life accepted this angry ranter on another plain and I gotta go keep her busy and happy.
“If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything” As I said before, Know your role. Play it well. And Roll with it.
Narcel X
Related posts:
Narcel, how can we keep in contact?
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 12:42 pmhit me up at illuminarcy.blogspot.com
Posted by NarcelX | July 2, 2008, 12:44 pmHey Narcel, just read the comments below. You don’t need to mention Palestine or how much Israel sucks and it sucks that shitty Arabs made you feel so shitty. Try not to take it too personally, we’re just stupid sometimes. I’m so sorry that you feel the way you do, I never left comments on Kabobfest before but I did always read what you posted and thought you were intelligent and thoughtful. Too bad we can’t all just get along and respect each other and the diverse opinions out there without acting like idiots. Good luck to you.
Non Genocidal Arab who will definitely follow you to your blog.
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 12:48 pmnarcel, you are stupid. you’re writing never makes sense. i can’t imagine who would publish any book you’ve written.
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 12:51 pmThis is by far the most legible piece of writing you have put out to date! Leave on a high note!
A thin-skinned Iraqi… go figure.
A female Arab friend of mine thinks Arab men are so thin skinned because their mothers and aunts treat them like G-ds. When her brothers would fart, her aunts would say, “It’s like dew, it’s like heavenly dew!”
If you can’t stand the heat go dig a hole and pop your itsy bitsy Iraqi Kabob in it! This is the real world, and here, you have to EARN respect.
Posted by Firouz | July 2, 2008, 1:57 pmsomeones two bricks short of a load.
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 2:10 pmwhat does that mean?
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 2:16 pmtwo tomatoes short of a kabob?
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 2:16 pmAssalamu alaikum brother,
This is a time that Muslims all over the world is being attacked in many ways, be happy with who you are and do not let the Islamophobia get to you.
Just remember to keep your eyes on Allah .
Posted by A Palestinian Sister | July 2, 2008, 2:27 pmI tried to comment on NarcelX’s other blog, illuminarcy.blogspot.com, but comments are moderated before being posted. Free speech for you.
I can’t blame only NarcelX for the decreasing quality of the blog. Today, QuiQui put up a stupid post about “Faux News”, as though that’s even worth commentary. You people (referring to the writers) are bone dry of material.
All you have left are the rare moments of reactionary zeal, or the occasional flame war.
How about one of the writers puts up an open thread and asks for suggestions of material to cover. You guys need some direction from the audience.
Posted by Firouz | July 2, 2008, 2:31 pmHis writing SUCKS. It’s not an attack on Islam! Talk about finding a scapegoat for failure!
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 2:33 pmFirouz, why don’t you get your own blog so I don’t have to hear from you on here anymore. I don’t visit KABOBfest to listen to anything you have to say.
I do not care about you.
Posted by Bonty | July 2, 2008, 2:35 pmI think you love me. In fact, I know it.
Posted by Firouz | July 2, 2008, 2:36 pmGOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH. I LIKE KABOBFEST BUT HIS POSTS MADE NO SENSE TO ME.
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 2:39 pmFirouz, it is ridiculous for you to try to manage this blog’s content and I hope nobody takes you up on that offer.
Go away.
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 2:39 pmMedicine never tastes good, does it anon. You are one sick puppy, and I am the suppository you never thought you could fit back there. Deal with the pain; it will get better soon.
Posted by Firouz | July 2, 2008, 3:27 pmWhich anonymous are you referring to? There are lots of us on here, you know.
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 3:42 pmIf you’re not sure, then it’s probably not directed to you
Firous, will you come up my ass too?
Ok, that was unnecessary, I know. Can we all get a grip on the comments? They seem to be degenerating.
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 3:54 pmFirouz needs to get a life, or a blog. You comments are rude, disrespectful and self indulgent. Really, who do you think you are? Hiding behind your computer and writing blog comments is in no way educating the masses, since you seem so hell-bent on being “holier than thou”. If you have an opinion, you don’t have to shit on people who are trying to voice their own. Find your own avenue. And being disrespectful never won anyone anything but a bad reputation.
As for Narcel X leaving, it is a real loss for Kabobfest. As Arabs in 2008, there is a shortage of the Iraqi Voice in the shadow of an apocalyptic war in Iraq. And his voice is cultured, educated and strong! He brings up points that no one has the balls to post- and his literary style is of an educated fellow. No wonder some of the readers didn’t “understand” his posts.
The ignorant comment-bloggers have proved his points exactly, and have proven how closed-minded Arabs can be to one another. We will never unite…….
PEACE TO NARCEL X! I’ll catch you on illuminarcy.blogspot.com!!!!
Posted by Strong Iraqi Woman | July 2, 2008, 6:30 pmTo be real about it, there weren’t other Arabs commenting badly about his post. The kid just ran off cause he couldn’t handle heat from a few Islamophobes that frequent this blog.
Posted by Anonymous | July 2, 2008, 7:53 pmJust a few points, mainly (read: all) directed to “firouz”, who no doubt is enjoying all the attention (read: deprived).
Firstly, this is Ragtop of the Philistines (read: not anonymous) and I’ve never left a comment on this site before, because sadly I have to agree with brother Narcel’s point that most of the content seems to be of a masturbatory nature. Certainly not effective if the goal is to disseminate an intelligent Arab perspective to a larger (read: non-Arab) audience. If the purpose is to have a place for a few folks to vent, cool–but I don’t think that’s what my man Will had in mind…moving on.
On July 2, 2008, “firouz” left no less than FOUR comments on this thread, in less than TWO hours. That should tell you something right there (get a life).
At 1:57pm, s/he/it said: “A female Arab friend of mine thinks Arab men are so thin skinned because their mothers and aunts treat them like G-ds. When her brothers would fart, her aunts would say, “It’s like dew, it’s like heavenly dew!””
REACTION: Pseudo-feminist generalize much? As an Arab man who fully understands and appreciates the gravity of the triple oppression faced by most Arab women (men, money, government) it’s sad to come across the sort of knee-jerk feminism characterized by a need on the part of (some) women – I call them pseudo-feminists – to put men down in order to make themselves feel better about their admittedly sh*tty lot in life.
Speaking of which, there’s a website your friend’s aunts might enjoy, something about 2 girls and 1 cup…
“firouz” went on to say that “this” (meaning KABOBFEST) “is the real world, and here, you have to EARN respect.”
REACTION: Actually, Narcel’s entire point was that this is NOT the real world, not by a long shot. Case in point: in person you wouldn’t dare to say one-tenth of the vitriolic sh*t you post on this website, you stupid b*tch.
2:31pm – “I tried to comment on NarcelX’s other blog, illuminarcy.blogspot.com, but comments are moderated before being posted. Free speech for you.”
REACTION: Since when do you have the right to post whatever idiocy you want anywhere you choose? And if you hate his writing so much, why are you visiting his blogspot? Get a life.
“firouz” then added that s/he/it “can’t blame only NarcelX for the decreasing quality of the blog.”
REACTION: No sh*t, Sherlock. It’s called a mirror. Though I’m guessing all the ones in your house have been shattered out of sheer ugliness.
2:36pm – “I think you love me. In fact, I know it.”
REACTION: And now we come to the crux of the matter – low self esteem combined with a heaping portion of denial and, how do you say, cheekiness. I normally am a fan of cheekiness, but in your case, “firouz”, the stench is so strong I can’t even get close enough to appreciate it. F*ck you.
3:27pm – “You are one sick puppy, and I am the suppository you never thought you could fit back there.”
REACTION: Ah, so that’s where the stench is coming from…
Peace to the G-ds. Ragtop out.
Posted by RAGTOP | July 3, 2008, 8:57 amActually, Ragtop, you're simply proving the point made by a few others above. This guy Narcel could not handle a little heat from a few commenters, and he ran off like a child. Why do you care so much about what some anonymous commenter (Firouz) says? Why does Narcel care? He flipped out over that?!?!? You're flipping out over that?!?!? It's sad, but I suppose some of us have the strength to take it, and some of us are weak (read: Narcel and Ragtop) and are going to flip a shit over a few stupid commentors. You're not built for it, that's fine, none of us are holding that against you. We all have our roles I suppose.Peace to the G-ds, Fadi out.
Posted by Fadi | July 3, 2008, 5:51 amRagtop, Narcelx, the whole G-Unit crew, whoever: You criticize Kabobfest for the ignorant ramblings of its readers. That’s unfair, don’t you think? The only way the creators of this site can stop them is by doing what “Firouz” says Narcelx does on his blog, approve every comment. Given the number of comments this site receives, that’s a full time job.
Besides, would you appreciate it if critics judged your music based on what bigots said of your message or medium? Of course not. It makes no sense. So stop applying that standard to this blog.
Be adult about this. Kabobfest has a good thing going. If you can’t take it, don’t like it, or simply think it’s too silly for you to bother with – then don’t visit.
I don’t know you, but much love and respect, and – of course – Peace to the G-ds, Nadeem out.
Posted by Nadeem | July 3, 2008, 9:55 amI think NarcelX issue was not firouz. it was buydatti. You guys can’t read….
Posted by Anonymous | July 3, 2008, 9:57 amIf you want to talk about masturbatory content, the only thing that’s relatable on this sight is Narcel’s ramblings on himself. Whether it be his subtle insertion of the value of MCs in some previous post, or his last post full of “masturbatory” self-promotion.
Posted by Anonymous | July 3, 2008, 9:59 amRead his post, he’s bitching about what some comments posted.
Posted by Anonymous | July 3, 2008, 10:00 amArab men can be the most sensitive, most easily offended people I’ve ever met, or in this case, flame-warred with.
Like I said, I have several female Arab friends who think it’s a mommy complex.
When you are raised at the age of 6 with grown women making tongue in cheek jokes of your sexual prowess, you can get a big head.
With a few male exceptions, I think Western-educated Palestinian women are uniquely suited to effective propaganda; they are absolutely gifted at it. I have a theory about this… but it would take too long to explain.
The men… not so much.
Posted by Firouz | July 3, 2008, 10:02 amAnonymous [9:57:00 AM]. If Narcel’s issue was with buydatti, and not people like firouz, then he’s even more off his rocker than anyone could’ve imagined.
Posted by Anonymous | July 3, 2008, 11:06 amFirouz is a bad bitch.
Posted by khalil | August 13, 2008, 11:34 amAre the Iraqis thin-skinned or are the Arabs the biggest hypocrite scum on this planet?
http://iraqimojo.blogspot.com/2009/12/starbucks-i…
Posted by Iraqi_Mojo | January 3, 2010, 12:42 amHere's some hypocrisy! Apparently, Saudi Arabia thinks its fit to criticize Israel and is now calling for "tougher action" against it. This coming from a country that holds the western world at its heels over oil and gets away with exporting death to Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, and all sorts of places, including America. The Wahhabi scumbag who coached the Fort Hood shooter being just one example…
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-…
Posted by C.H. | January 3, 2010, 3:02 am