John Oliver No Longer White

John Oliver's recent journalistic walloping of Swiss UN Ambassador Peter Maurer prompted his swift nomination and selection for membership to the Malan race. Oliver joins fellow Malans Stephen Colbert and Michael Moore who were recently adopted into the new race.

Oliver interviewed Maurer following The Daily Show's coverage of Switzerland's vote to ban the building of minarets. Jason Linkins discusses Oliver's approach in the Huffington Post: "[He] used the news story to make a point about the overall character of the nation of Switzerland. Rather than take the glib remarks of Switzerland's UN Ambassador Peter Maurer at face value, presenting them as stenography and letting it stand as just another 'interesting viewpoint' in the marketplace of ideas, he confronted the illogic and batted it back, unconcerned that it would make his interviewee upset or ruin someone's opportunity to have 'access.'"

A stand-up comedian and staple anchor on the long-running, Emmy-winning news satire show, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Oliver's political commentary and fearless journalistic style made him an ideal Malan race candidate. But it was Oliver's tête-à-tête with the Swiss UN Ambassador that clinched the deal.

"Malan people can talk with anyone on any topic, and can communicate persuasively and movingly. Oliver demonstrates this through his comedy and his journalism, satire or otherwise. He creates an environment where people find themselves thinking about old ideas in new ways," said Frida Potente, president of the I Am Malan Council.

The Malan race is defined by ideology rather than by superficialities. Malans aim to transcend racial stereotypes and the boundaries of archaic race categories by forming bonds based on linkages deeper than skin. Their hope is that, as a result, they can help move the world closer to racial unity, improved race relations, and toward the end of racism.

As part of the welcome process, Oliver received an official Malan race certificate, as well as a short guide detailing how to live in the world as a Malan, and how to educate others on his new racial identity. An expanded FAQ-- a condensed version of which is available on www.iammalan.org--was also be provided to Mr. Oliver.