Venezuelan comedian Harris El Comediante, who has been living in South Florida for over a decade, shared his experiences about the American dream in the United States and Europe, stating that, quite simply, here you buy into the story.
In a 2022 show in Miami that has gone viral again on social media following the incident involving the comedian at the Viña del Mar Festival in Chile, where he was unable to finish his performance due to what was perceived as a racist response from the audience, Harris reflected on the challenges and contrasts faced by Venezuelans pursuing the "American dream."
The comedian recounted how life in Europe, where he lived before emigrating to the U.S., was completely different from what he has experienced in America.
"In Spain, everyone goes on vacation for 30 days without any remorse, with their minds free, only thinking about the beach and having fun. Here, you take two days off and you feel guilty," Harris pointed out, making the audience laugh with his observation.
Throughout his monologue, the comedian highlighted the constant pressure that immigrants in the U.S. feel to achieve the famous "American dream." "From the moment you arrive in this country, they give you the story about the dream, about fighting for your dream, and you spend your time working for your dream," Harris expressed, also recalling how, during a visit to Europe, he saw people enjoying a tranquility that seems unattainable in America. "And you ask them, 'So what about your dream?'; and they respond, 'I don't have a dream, I slept all night,'" he added humorously.
One of the most emotional parts of his performance was when he reflected on the number of Venezuelans who have migrated in search of a better life. "In Spain, there are more Venezuelans than in Venezuela," he joked, highlighting the phenomenon of the Venezuelan diaspora around the world.
The show in Miami went viral after Harris returned from an incident in Chile, where he became embroiled in controversy after having to leave a performance at the Viña del Mar Festival. Upon his arrival in Miami, he expressed gratitude for the support of the Cuban community, which welcomed him warmly as soon as he arrived at the airport.
"Forget about that, do your show here," two Cuban women told him at the Miami airport, as he excitedly recounted in a message on social media.
Frequently asked questions about George Harris and his perspective on the "American Dream."
What is George Harris's opinion on the "American Dream"?
George Harris believes that the "American Dream" is an illusion that drives immigrants to work tirelessly in pursuit of an ideal that is not always achieved. In contrast, he emphasizes that in Europe, life is experienced with more tranquility and enjoyment of leisure time.
What was George Harris's experience like at the Viña del Mar Festival?
During his performance at the Viña del Mar Festival, George Harris was booed by the audience, which led him to leave the stage earlier than scheduled. The controversy originated partly from the comedian's previous comments about Chilean political figures.
What kind of support has George Harris received following the controversy in Viña del Mar?
After the incident in Viña del Mar, George Harris received strong support from the Cuban and Venezuelan artistic community. Artists such as Javier Berridy and Beatriz Valdés expressed their solidarity and support for the comedian through social media.
Why did George Harris's show in Miami go viral?
The George Harris show in Miami went viral because he humorously reflected on the differences between the "American Dream" and life in Europe, and received a positive reception from the audience after his return from the incident in Viña del Mar.
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