Let me make an admission here: If you’re feeling awkward and overwhelmed as you start to watch yourself, know that you are far from alone. I have long had issues with my own facial expressions. I have what I call RAMF—or “Resting Angry Muslim Face.” My default look is one of anger and intenseness, and being an adult Muslim male, looking angry and intense comes with all sorts of unwanted (and unfair!) connotations and assumptions. It’s something I have had to work hard on prior to TV appearances and public presentations: to not permanently look like I want to bite someone’s head off!
