President Obama walks fine line on race, justice
11 years ago
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Open Racism
After our discussion in yesterday's class about comedy and racism I thought about some of the stand up comedy surrounding racial issues that I have seen. It is interesting how sometimes comedy is the best way to address racial issues without infuriating too many people. Comedians like Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy, who really began discussing race through comedy, were kind of pioneers that allowed people to feel more comfortable talking about such a sensitive issue. One comedian's act in particular that I thought about was Dave Chappelle's bid about "Open Racism". I thought about posting it, but I figured if people wanted to see it they could search for it on Youtube. Personally, I find it very funny, but I am sure that there are also many people who are offended by it. Chappelle impersonates a white guy, black guy and an asian guy and holds nothing back, throwing out charged stereotypes at every race. I guess my question is that even though Chappelle jokes about race only to get laughs from the audience does it make him (and other comedians like him) racist? Just to clarify I am not against Chappelle's comedy, I am a fan of it, I am just curious what other people who may or may not be offended by it think about comedians who use racially motivated jokes.
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I have been wondering about this whole concept of "open racism" too and debating whether it is okay or not.
ReplyDeletePart of me believes that the only way people will ever really overcome racism is by admitting that subconsciously or maybe even consciously everyone is a little racist-- even if we don't mean to be. I'd like to think I don't believe in race and I am not a racist person at all-- but unfortunately even if I give everyone a fair chance, society has placed ideas in the back of my mind about what I am supposed to think. Often times we see people and even though we don't believe a stereotype full heatedly, it comes to our mind when we see a person that fits it and we may act upon it. While I believe this, I am not sure how effective open racism in extreme measures is in creating a unified society.
But are we uncomfortable because everyone is thinking it and a comedian is bold enough to say it and removed enough to get away with it or is it because we think they are wrong?
...I think its because a lot of people think it but would never say it because its not acceptable.
I think that in these circumstances, comedians capitalize on stereotypes to get a laugh, which isn't necessarily a reprehensible act. Because let's be honest, SOME stereotypes are relatively harmless and contain a grain of truth (for instance, see the cadence frequently used by Dave Chapelle in impersonating white people). And as long as the stereotype mocked isn't serious in nature, where's the harm in laughing about it?
ReplyDeleteBecause the comedian usually belongs to the group at which he/she is poking fun (not applicable in Dave Chapelle example), members of that group are usually able to laugh. And because the environment is generally not threatening, non-members of that group can laugh too.
However, these comedians must also realize that in providing comic relief, they are also enforcing the existence of certain stereotypes and (where applicable) the use of racial slurs.
I definitely agree that it is easier to laugh about racial issues when a person of a specific race is poking fun at people of their same race. However, I think when a comedian focuses solely on his or her own race it is more appealing to an audience of that race. When a comedian, such as Dave Chapelle, pokes fun at various races there can be a wider array of viewers. I think this type of comedy has the ability to bring people of different races together and allows them to more comfortably acknowledge racial tensions or differences. However, I think that it is important to note that if a white male is to perform an act identical to Dave Chapelle it would most likely not be as acceptable.
ReplyDeleteThe word racist carries a strong negative connotation, mainly due to the fact that those spotlighted as being racist are malicious in how they speak of racial groups. I would like to think that in terms of assessing the "morality" of a racial comment, that is to call it "racist" or not, one should weigh the intent more so than the product. Why does it seem OK to make a joke about jews if you yourself are jewish? Maybe because one would assume that person is not trying to really lash out against the jewish community (implicating then himself). Thus, assessing Dave Chapelle's intentions when he jokes about racial stereotypes, I see it more as bringing the topic of racial hasty generalizations to the table in a more casual less-charged manner, rather than qualifying him as being a racist.
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