This week focuses on Race & Ethnicity as it is understood through comedy. Review the resources listed below to prepare for this week’s assignment. Before reviewing these resources, read through the assignment instructions so you know what you will be expected to do with this material.
Matthew, D.C. (2017). Racial injustice, racial discrimination, and racism: How are they related? Social Theory and Practice, 43(4), 885-914. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=shib&custid=natuniv&direct=true&db=a9h&AN=126811960&site=eds-live
This article by Matthew explains the differences between racial injustice, discrimination, and racism are argues for a pluralistic approach if we, as a society, are to not only understand these concepts but also help alleviate race based disputes.
Pew Research Center. (2016, June 27). Discrimination on racial inequality. Retrieved from https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2016/06/27/3-discrimination-and-racial-inequality/
Having a broad understanding of racial discrimination and contemporary issues doesn’t paint the full picture of the experience many minorities have. This Pew Research Center Study highlights some statistics around specific segments within the black and hispanic community that are more likely to report they’ve faced racial discrimination.
Green, A. L., & Linders, A. (2016). The impact of comedy on racial and ethnic discourse. Sociological Inquiry, 86(2), 241–269. https://doi.org/10.1111/soin.12112. Retrieved from https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fonlinelibrary.wiley.com%2Fdoi%2Ffull%2F10.1111%2Fsoin.12112%3Fsid%3DEBSCO%253Aedb
This study takes a look at how audiences respond to racial and ethnic comedy. Focus groups are shown stand-up comedy clips of popular comedians and asked about their perception of offensiveness, stereotypes, and how comedy applies to everyday life.
Watch the following videos and listen to the audio file below in which each comedian discusses some of the their personal experiences through their comedy.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. (2018, Aug 29). DiscrmiNATION The Daily Show [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xK1DJ691sE
This video from The Daily Show looks at stories of race and discrimination in the United States, including the black men who got arrested in Starbucks and Roseanne Barr’s racist tweet. As you are watching this clip, consider the stereotypes that are highlighted and how is it tied to the artist’s experience.
Johnny Carson. (2011, March 28). Eddie Murphy’s stand up comedy routine (full), first appearance on Johnny Carson show [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1TKGtai7og
This video, from 1982, is of then-Saturday Night Live star Eddie Murphy performing on the Johnny Carson Show. As you are watching this video clip, consider how much of his comedy was a result of his personal experiences and the challenges of Black Americans in general. Is there any significant change from 1982 to today?
George Lopez Show - Not Mexican Enough?
One on One with Mario Lopez (2012, November 29). Mario Lopez interviews George Lopez [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tgCrVRqtWM&list=RD4tgCrVRqtWM&start_radio=1&t=0
In this interview George Lopez discusses personal and professional struggles putting on a show about Hispanic-Americans in the 2000s.
National Public Radio (2019, December 20). National Public Radio’s all things considered [Article and audio file]. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2019/12/20/790201044/comedian-margaret-cho-i-invented-the-cancellation
Margaret Cho discusses her career as an Asian-American female comedian and what it was like for her to start out in show business and make a name for herself.
