Anti-Racist Humor in Stand-up Comedy Language of Racism Kim van Lookeren Campagne

How is humor used against racist discourse in the United States, and what are the different reactions of the public to stand-up comedians Chris Rock and Lisa Lampanelli?

 “Laughing to keep from crying” (Bailey 2012:257)  Relief theory (Pérez 2013:481)  Buffer of humor needed to be well received (Bailey 2012:258)

 Pre-civil rights = humor of accommodation  Protests against racist humor, in other words: “their being made the butt of humor initiated by anyone but themselves” (Pérez 2013:482)  Saying racist things does not make someone a racist  “Racial versus racist humor” (Pérez 2013:483)

Are her jokes racist or anti-racist? Reactions to her shows that racism is more impactful than “reverse racism”  - crossing the line to offensive is sometimes marked by the use of the N wordhttp:// “Lisa releases us from a prison of cultural guilt” – Jim Carrey killowatz 11 months ago She is a racist...Be brave enough to call her what she is..Every bit she does circles around some attack on a group. …She must have cried a river when Prez. Obama won a second term.. theirishrake 7 months ago She isn't racist…She pokes fun at every racial stereotype highlighting how ridiculous actual racists are. If everyone is insulted, no one is insulted - if that makes any sense. You're an idiot if you are taking her seriously. Everyone was having a laugh. Whitney Parker 9 months ago cant stand people like that, its down right degrading!! Gizmo meta 1 year ago aah, this world would be a much better place if we all could laugh at the racist jokes, isntead of being a total bitch about it

Comments are mostly about issues in racism and not about Chris Rock himself graffitiskate week ago “Something can't be good when you say it but bad when another race says it that makes no fucking sence” djjr231 1 week ago “A word isn't objectively offensive; it merely depends on who says it, so of course it makes sense for blacks to get offended if a white guy says 'nigga' but not if a black guy does.” ubergamer weeks ago (edited) It depends on: 1) How they say it (is it said harmlessly or to offend) 2) Whether they say 'nigga' or 'nigger' …I'm half white/half Asian but I say nigga sometimes for fun, saying "What up my nigga!!" to any of my friends is fun and I don't see why it should offend anyone. It's not good to say it around other black people as it sounds stereotypical though even if that's not intended. Corellian Smuggler 5 days ago I find Chris Rock hilarious, but I do find myself thinking, as a white guy, 'I could never get away with saying half of the shit he does'.

Lisa Lampanelli:  says in the beginning that she is Italian  says that she has interracial relationships  “if everyone is insulted, no one is insulted”? – makes fun of herself as well  Making people uncomfortable is part of facing people with racism today…? Chris Rock:  Only talks about Whites and African-Americans  Tries to avoid label of reverse racism  Does not talk about white people directly but white people in relationship to African-Americans  Does not go into topics/events that are too serious – criticizes but in a way that White people do not feel it too much

 “the lower on the racial hierarchy, the less elaborate the strategies” (487)  Authentic inauthenticity  Be funny For White comedians:  Use racial common sense, self-deprecation, and distancing mechanisms  Do not cross the “hurtline” between funny and offensive (487) Non-White comedians:  Encouraged to talk about their own group  Go all the way  Instructor to Asian/White student: “I want you to sound more Asian” (494)  Expected to use racial humor

 Raise the issue of racism and stereotypes  It is such a sensitive issue, humor is a good way to face it  Show how ridiculous racism is  Brings “camaraderie” (Cundall 2012:157)  Private becomes public

 Jokes can be interpreted in different ways  Chris Rock and other non-white comedians could be objectifying themselves by presenting themselves as performers/entertainers (Bailey 2012:258)  Isn’t the audience already anti-racist? Are they making a difference?  Can offend and/or reinforce stereotypes (wrong strategies)  Laughing with or at

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