Why is it OK for a black comedian to mock white people, but not vise versa?

Question

I realize there is a double standard here. I am not white or black (or caucasion or Afican-American, if you prefer). But it seems to me that wrong is wrong, no matter what the source. Personally, I love comedy, but tend to cringe when black comedians begin their "white people walk/talk/eat/sleep/breath like this..." routine. It seems more hateful than funny to me. I just don't see why this double standard is so blatantly allowed and accepted.

Answer 1

That's a good question! It may be because white people are trying to make up for our ancestors' mistakes and cruelties by standing by when our own race is ridiculed. I think that reasoning is stupid, but oh well.

I'm personally not offended when black comedians tell jokes about white people. I know we do some pretty weird things, but it's not so obvious to us. So when they point it out, I can laugh and say, "Yeah, I do that.", have a good chuckle out of it and feel flattered that they thought enough of my race to make a joke out of it. I firmly believe that an inability to laugh at oneself shows intense insecurity.

Of course, another reason why it may be acceptable for blacks to joke about whites but not the other way around is because white people are in the political majority at this time. Most of the people in power are white Christian men. Whenever someone is considered the majority, it's okay for other groups to joke about them. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but there it is.

Answer 2

That's a good question. I remember a Richard Pryor routine when he talked about Patty Hearst's abduction. It was hilarious, scatalogical and very racist.
"Oh momma, get Cinque the money, even if you have to sell your a** out on the street." (first message)
"Oh momma, you gotta see the d*** on this n*****! I'd rob a bank for that M*****f*****!" (second message).
Geofrey Cambridge used to do the same thing, without the swear words.
Black comedians also seem to talk about black people in ways that white comedians wouldn't dare.
It's a touchy topic. And I'm still sad "Amos and Andy" was removed from TVs years ago. White or black, that was the funniest show I've ever seen.
Andy has bought a house and all the stucco has flaked off and is laying on the ground. The Kingfish: "Andy, it appears (pointing at a big pile of stucco) dat is da stucco and you is the stuccee!"

Answer 3

George Carlin and Lisa Lampanelli are viewed as racists? You learn something new everyday huh? Seriously, as one of my former supervisors once told me, "It's not what you do but how you do it". Humor and humiliation are easily distinguished. Secondly, one would argue that the reason why white comedians may be a little limited when it comes to race jokes is because what can be called the flip of the coin. Whites were able to mock and crack jokes about black people for years back in the days of blackface. What could black people do back then? Not much. Now reverse that and you have your question...

Answer 4

White comedians do it all the time, where the hell have you been? Staged comedy began on the basis of mocking African Americans. I personally don't like when Black comedians talk about Whites in their routine because I feel that it's expected and that there's so many other things in the world to laugh at. Sometimes when Black comedians use that type of humor in their routine, I feel that there's a lack of creativity.

Answer 5

I think it can go both ways if done tastefully. But the perception is usually that Black people are already at a disadvantage and, therefore, entitled to make fun of White people. When a White comedian does it, it is seen as kicking someone who is already down. People take it too seriously sometimes.

Answer 6

Because "white" people haven't been discriminated against for most of the history as we know it. The "white" people have dominated the world and there is NO WAY a white comedian should mock the "black" people, but if a "black" comedian mocks a "white" person it is earned through our ancestors mistakes.

p.s. I am white skin coloured (britsh ancestory, canadian born) and love all my brothers & sisters whether black, brown, red, or yellow skin. Skin is just a package.

Answer 7

Are you serious? I see white comedian all the time on tv mocking black people. Its all funny. You need to get out more because it happens all the time. Watch BET comic view they have white comedians on their all the time mocking black people.

Answer 8

Its just like if america had a white pride day we would be racist, but yet there is martin luther king day and african american week and mexican holidays such as ceasar chavez and cinco de mayo. Hello we are in america. America = Double Standards
Look at people who murder someone cold blood get like 7 years and someone who accidentally killed someone gets life. I have seen it. It sucks, but thats life. There isnt much we can do.

Come on people slavery is over, I thought we were equal..
Did you know that every college has to have at least 10% blacks or they are considered racist, and in almost every job there is one black person working, because if they are not hired they can say its because of racism. I am not saying that all blacks are the same, because I know some kick a$$ black people, but are those select few who try to use racism to make people feel sorry for them and to get what they want. I also agree that white people have fewer rights than any other race in our own freakin country.

why can fat people tell a skinny person that they are so skinny, but if a skinny person tells a fat person they are fat, then its insulting. I dont get it either. I am not racist but another question, what about when your walking down the street and some black girl say ehhh that girl walking like she all cool, and if you put your head down then they say oh what she to good for us, and if you look then they say oh what she gettin an attitude now. Im not trying to stereotype. Why cant we all just get along. I also have to comment on your question, why is it so narrowed to just whites and blacks, what about mexicans and asians. There is pretty much some messed up sh*t you can say about every race.

Answer 9

You would have to remember that blacks were once slaves to the whites so when a white man talks about blacks some take it more than just a simple joke. You must also remember that racism is still present today and such comments can seem prejudice to ablack man. When you really look at it more whites are prejudice of blacks than blacks are of whites so such comments can be taken offensively.

Answer 10

It's comedy! It's all in fun! And I have seen MANY white comedians mock black people and our culture... plenty of times. They mock how we talk, how we dress, the content of our music and I laugh. I don't get offended at all because it's just comedy and most of the time it's pretty funny.