Shades of Comedy
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Shades of Comedy

Why I Do Not Believe White Comedians Have A Place In Racial Comedy

48
Shades of Comedy
rollingstone.com

I do not believe white comedians have a space in racial comedy EXCEPT if they are making fun of white people for being racist. That's the only place they can have- a very small seat all the way in the back. Here's my reasoning:

Black people, Hispanic people, Latinx people, Asian people and every other person of color in between are a minority in this country and are treated as such. You wake up every day to deal with microaggressions, overtly racial slurs and threats in some cases, institutional racism and just general stereotypes.

People will say foolish things like "you only got in because of affirmative action" (I remember that from high school, good times). Then these individuals will complain that they have been discriminated against when in reality affirmative action helps white women more than anyone else. Remember Becky with the Bad Grades?

People will say that Hispanic/Latinx people have dozens of babies when I'm pretty sure the family you all watch on "19 and Counting" is white. People will completely ignore cries for visibility from the Asian community but wear kimonos and bindis like they invented them and applaud ScarJo for playing every Asian female lead in Hollywood.

After dealing with this all day, you can turn to comedians who look like you to validate your experience and make you laugh away the shackles of oppression in that moment. Comedians of color also have the task of turning the mirror on us and making us see the issues within our own communities. After a nice laugh, we can really think about what was said and try to unpack these issues among ourselves.

But as a white comedian, to live life in a system designed for you to succeed to then make jokes about those on the bottom seems a bit like overkill doesn't it? I am not saying that being white automatically means you will never struggle in life, but we have to accept the fact that white privilege exists. Many of the racial slurs and stereotypes that plague the lives of people of color on a daily basis were created by white people and have serious repercussions in our lives. Even something as "harmless" as saying, "black people like watermelon," has a very potent history plagued with attempts by white people to oppress and demean free black Americans.

The oppressor, whether you consider yourself an oppressor or not, has no reason to poke fun at the oppressed; that's the equivalent of pouring salt in a stab wound that still has a knife in it. The issues of race have yet to be fully deconstructed and addressed in this country so every nonwhite group deals with this knife in their sides that society has chosen to ignore. Comedy, like dance and music and other things of that nature, is a way for the oppressed to voice themselves and give life and color to their experiences. Racial comedy is just an area where white comedians are not allowed.

Sorry, not sorry.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

17364
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

946273
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

122986
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments