Is Racism Acceptable In Comedy?
A guy named Steve recently left the following comment on the post about Jackie Mason’s use of a perceived racial slur against President Obama:
Steve–
Mason is a comedian. Everything is subject to comedy, nothing can hide from it, not sex, religion, sexual orientation, politics or race. Everybody needs to get over themselves and deal with it. Black people joke about whites more, but also other races. If it bothers you that bad than it means you are not secure in who you are. I’m italian, and don’t give a darn what people call me, wop, dago or whatever as long as they can deal with it in return.
I will agree that black comics have free rein when it comes to insulting other races in their acts. Latino comic, Carlos Mencia is given the same pass. The question that must be answered is why minorities are given this pass. I suspect the answer is that minorities lack the power to influence opinions en masse like whites can. Not making an excuse, just an observation.
Notice Steve mentions his Italian heritage. Do Italians deal with ethnic stereotypes? Yes. Case in point; I’m a fan of the Housewives series. My favorites are Housewives of Atlanta and New Jersey. I like millions of other women, and one gay man I know, awaited the explosive season finale between Theresa (the rich Italian housewife) and Danielle (divorcee with the mysterious past). Take a look:
Theresa blamed her temper on her Italian heritage. Thus, many people believe that Italians are the hot-blooded among whites. It doesn’t stop there. Theresa and her husband would often pull out thousands of dollars from their purse and pocket respectively. When some coworkers and I speculated on how they make so much money, an Irish lady exclaimed “construction” making the quote sign with her fingers. Everyone knew what she meant; it’s an Italian couple so they must make their money via organized crime. The only difference is Italians benefit from what many believe to be white privilege and will not suffer the negative consequences of ethnic/racist stereotypes.
I suspect the answer is that minorities lack the power to influence opinions en masse like whites can. Not making an excuse, just an observation.
I’m not so sure about that anymore. At one point I believed that but given how comedians influence the masses (namely how black comedians have made it “okay” paint white people up in racist stereotypes).
The only difference is Italians benefit from what many believe to be white privilege and will not suffer the negative consequences of ethnic/racist stereotypes.
You really think the assumption that people of Italian decent are tied to organized crime is a benefit to them?
No, I meant the stereotype doesn’t appear to hurt their image as much as it would blacks or Mexicans.
Ah. When you said that they benefit from that image it seemed like you were saying that it didn’t harm them.
If it is like Richard Pryor, then YEAH LOL
I know how ya feel though, Lor.. I get called some pretty ugly names, even in jest they can feel very painful.
that’s interesting.