What makes race humor funny and what makes it offensive, and is this question part of the bigger conversation about cultural agility and owning your own identity?
A week late I found on Twitter a conversation started by NPR’s Code Switch tagged #NPRObamaEffect, asking the question “Did Obama Inspire A Big Debate On Identity?” It got me thinking about how people talk about race and who can talk about race…and when talking about race is funny as opposed to simply perpetuating racial stereotypes.
For now, I think that it has to do with self-identity and ownership….e.g. racial humor from a “self-deprecating” or self-focused orientation. If I’m Jewish I can make fun of perceived Jewish cultural tendencies. I found these as a sampling of funny, making a point, and look forward to continuing to hone in on what makes race humor funny, and not offensive.
What do you think?
Race Humor and Culture Satire Round-up
Rent-a-Minority
New site, Rent-a-Minority boasts you will “get ethics with our ethnics.” “We have a minority for every occasion,” from board meetings to formal events, photo ops and beyond. Not sure which is funnier–the site, or comments on Twitter from people who thought it was real.
Louis CK on Being White
“If you’re not white you’re missing out.” “I’m not saying white is better. I’m saying being white is better.”
Wanda Sykes on Dignified Black People
Her mom’s cardinal rule: “No dancing in the car…White people are looking at you!”
Margaret Cho on Race
“So I was asked to look into the camera and tell this to the audience in my native language”
Key and Peele Auction Block
“I will not have my reputation tainted selling superficial bigoted slaves.”
What would add…either pieces that work and are funny, or those that don’t.
