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Problems of education and solution
Problems of education and solution
Comedy definitions,types and characteristics
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Racism in comedy is not what it appears to be. What many consider to be racist in comedy routines, is not so. Racism is by definition a “hatred or intolerance of another race or other races,” (Dictionary.com). Stand up comedians known to touch heavily on the subject of race in their shows, such as Sarah Silverman and Dave Chappelle, should not be labeled as racist. They are just using the issue of racial stereotypes for its comedic value. “...Instead of discussing race, rape, abortion, incest, or mass starvation, they parody our discussions of them,” (Anderson). A possible reason such comedians are often labeled as racist is probably because the subject of race is still a very sensitive issue in today's society, which causes the public to act negatively to making fun of it. Because of the hostility caused by it, many would rather have it banned from comedy all together. But there are multiple reasons why such material in comedy should be accepted and allowed to continue as a comedic source. Topics of racism, prejudice, and stereotypes can be acceptable in comedy and entertainment because it provides commentary of society's views, exposes the absurdity of stereotypes, and it promotes communication of the subject.
One reason racism and prejudice are acceptable in entertainment is they give a commentary of racial differences and present how each group views one another. Stand-up comedians such as Dave Chappelle and Sarah Silverman expose how they feel their demographic is being viewed. Sarah Silverman especially uses stereotypes against Jewish persons, like herself, as well as stereotypes against Jewish women to provoke thought and laughter in her acts. By doing this, she exposes what many people are thinking and assume is true. Bu...
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...asy. The way in which these issues are brought to the forefront can effectively generate change. The use of comedy is this way shows how everyone may view each other. When this view is negative, exposing the absurdity of the wrongful views can assist with change. Such touchy subjects can in turn become talked about more for the better and promote communication. With that, its subject can become less sensitive and become lightened and less grave.
Works Cited
Anderson, Sam. "Irony Maiden." Slate Magazine. 10 Nov. 2005. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
"racism." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 22 Mar. 2010. .
Carr, Nicholas. "Is Google Making Us Stupid." Text Messages. Ed. Reggie J. Poché, Kim C.McDonald, Sarah DeBacher. Southlake: Fountainhead Press, 2008. 45-52.
Eye witness accounts of events are not always accurate. The accounts depicted by depend on how witnesses read the situation. The same is true when interpreting the depiction of race and/or ethnicity in media productions. Because situations gain meaning through the process of social construction (the interpretation of a situation based on one’s knowledge), the same event can be viewed and internalized by witnesses who render opposing viewpoints. This analysis will compare the depiction and rejection of socially constructed stereotypes relative to race and ethnicity in three situation comedies: All in the Family, The Jefferson’s and The Cosby Show.
“The practical disengagement of humor…helps explain the opposition between amusement and negative emotions.” (530) There are three effects of humor; irresponsibility, blocking compassion, and promoting prejudice. Humor can take away what we are/should be doing in life and sometimes there isn’t anything wrong with that. Sometimes when we hear a hateful thing we just laugh it off as if it was no big deal when it really was. “An
For example, the comedy shows The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon expresses satirical humor concerning politics. His show also demonstrates political satire by telling jokes and even impersonating political figures for the audience. He creates humor through sarcasm that focuses on real issues. His sarcastic humor causes others to feel more confident in their criticism toward politicians. For example, “Jimmy Fallon expresses his humor about Donald Trump, impersonating his appearance and imitating his voice while talking about politics. He uses his humor by impersonating Donald Trump and his sweeping generalizations with Madea (Rogo).” Jimmy Fallon shows people his views through humor and it creates a sense of community to express their agreeable and disagreeable views. As we discussed some ideas about satirical humor that affects political changes, it was important to reveal their feelings about changes in life and drove them to look upon their society or government more
Steve Almond’s “Funny is the New Deep” talks of the role that comedy has in our current society, and most certainly, it plays a huge role here. Namely, through what Almond [Aristotle?] calls the “comic impulse”, we as a people can speak of topics that would otherwise make many of uncomfortable. Almond deems the comic impulse as the most surefire way to keep heavy situations from becoming too foreboding. The comic impulse itself stems from our ability and unconscious need to defend and thus contend with the feeling of tragedy. As such, instead of rather forcing out humor, he implies that humor is something that is not consciously forced out from an author, but instead is more of a subconscious entity, coming out on its own. Almond emphasizes
For years’ black comedians have been stereotyped by black humor using racial slurs in their jokes to communicate with audience an about the social and political issues in the black communities. Although a diverse audience might catch on to most of the contents in a joke that have black humor, some people in American may take it in a harmful and unintended way to avoid controversy with the audience so people need to understand how to identify what is humorous and what is offensive in racial and ethnic humor. I will attempt to prove that living in such a diverse society with the freedom of speech it does not always mean using the word Nigga is a racist thing to say in comedy.
Racism has been and will always be a problem in this world. Right now in America, prejudice and hatred is still being displayed every single day. This country cannot go a week without another racist incident headlining the news. Police brutality is the spotlighted form of racism these past two years. This is absolutely not the first time police brutality has taken the stage. It is fairly easy to find an article online about racism and police brutality because there is an abundant amount of cases. Racism is alive and a massive problem in America. Satire pieces take a solemn subject like racism and make it easier to converse about. The satirists also help people understand topics by making it simple and easy to understand.
Green, Daniel. "A World Worth Laughing At: Catch-22 and the Humor of Black Humor." Studies
In the current day of age, have you ever held back a debatable racial joke or comment? For the United States, racial equality has become a priority. Therefore, being politically correct has become important for many American citizens. Refraining from debatable comments has specially been important for figures in the media. In one example, Kelly Osbourne, a talk show host on The View, made a comment in which applied all maids are Latinos. The comment has raised controversy arguing if she should be considered a racist. Kelly Osbourne made a racial slur based off a stereotype, although she might show racial tendencies, her comment doesn’t make her a racist.
...Latinos and European Americans that goes beyond superficial jokes? It is a contemporary and insightful exploitation of today's diversity issues, yet it does contain a noticeable exclusion. There are no black lead characters. For a show that addresses diversity issues, this is an apparent elephant in the room. I believe it is because it is easier to write affirming comedy about gays, latinos, youth, and older people, but not racial issues. It would very difficult to to make comedy of racial issues because white privilege is a very serious occurrence. The total avoidance of it, just reflects how race is still a tricky subject in the United States.
Coleman’s main claim is that slurs “are shown to function both as social insulators and as catalysts for neurosis for those on either side of the ethnic or religious divide” (Coleman 131). Coleman is trying to illustrate how South Park uses racial or religious slurs to illustrate societies division through stereotypes. South Park’s use of derogatory and racial comments in its episodes helps illustrate Coleman’s idea of social division. Two major sublcaims of social division depicted in this article are through race and economical standing. Coleman starts by explaining how in “Cartman’s Silly Hate Crime 2000”, Cartman throws a rock at Token, who is black, for repeating words of Kyle and Stan, who are white. Token’s skin color “defines Cartman’s malicious … hate crime” (Coleman 132), as Cartman had no reason to throw a rock at Token and not at Kyle and Stan. This example relates to the racial subclaim since African Americans have a history of being beaten for no reason. Another example of race creating a social divide is in “Here Comes the Neighborhood” where Token provokes “a black migration to South Park” (Coleman 136), changing the “normative category for the town” (Coleman 136).
Carr, Nicholas. "Is Google Making Us Stupid." July/August 2008. The Alantic Magazine. 20 February 2012 .
There are many racial stereotypes that many people are familiar with but would see it as inappropriate to address due to racial stereotypes being a controversial issue. As mentioned in the movie, Bamboozled, Dunwitty also known as the Vice President of the CNS, a large television network, states “… I want you to create something that people want to see…You know and I know "niggers" set the trend, set the styles. This is a golden opportunity now. These idiots have to be led to the water.” Which expresses how much the media cares more about the people viewing their shows instead of what the show is really about. Since many media outlets care more about receiving views from their audiences they usually don’t think about what kind of shows they are projecting to the public as long as they are getting views.
Humor has been the source of entertainment throughout history. Today humor is practiced in movies, plays, songs, television shows and radio. Humor has brought fame and fortune to those who have mastered its power.
Is Google Making Us Stupid? - Magazine - The Atlantic. (n.d.). The Atlantic — News and analysis on politics, business, culture, technology, national, international, and life – TheAtlantic.com. Retrieved April 21, 2012, from http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/6868/
If there is one way to bring a smile to someone’s face, it is laughter. Funny jokes, comical stunts, sarcasm- Every person is different when it comes to what makes them laugh. Some find dry humor comical. Others think sarcasm or joke-filled ranting are the best. ‘Comedy’ is such a broad term, broad enough to allow everyone to find something they find comical. In fact, ‘comedy’ includes a specific type of drama, one where the protagonist is joyful and happy endings are expected. Comedy is like a drug; it allows you to escape reality. When we say the word ‘comedy’ in the present, we are generally referring to a type of performance which provides humor. However, in its broadest sense, comedy has only one purpose: comedy makes people smile and