Jokes about race shouldn’t be funny – but, here’s why they can be.
Comedy stems from shared experiences. We find humour in the relatable, and what we may think are ‘common’ truths.
The work of a comedian is to examine their world to find the glaring commonalities and differences that exist between people. The comedian then extrapolates these findings and heightens them to create comedy.
In many cases, comedians choose to focus their comedy on sensitive or taboo topics. By speaking the ‘truth’ about things which often go unsaid, comedians are able to develop good rapport with their audience. The comedy set thus becomes a safe space. We are able to laugh at ourselves and at the horrors of human life without fear of being signalled out as a raging psychopath. In essence, comedy functions as a bonding experience and provides necessary catharsis from everyday existence.
Why race
Race is a social construct that has determined systems of power for thousands of years. It is just as prevalent today as it always has been.
However, for those privileged by racial constructs, it is far easier to deny its relevance than acknowledge their complacency in an unequal society.
On the other hand, for those who have experienced prejudice or injustice based on their race, the topic will always be a relevant point of discussion.
Naturally race is then something which black comedians tend to focus on in their performances. This is especially true when they are playing to black audiences.
Black people throughout the world experience the tensions of racial constructs on a daily basis. This is not to say that people of other races do not share this experience, but that black people are likely to face unique challenges such as defeating entrenched stereotype, overcoming institutionalised poverty and gaining access to education.
Seeing that race is such a large part of black people’s everyday understanding of the world, it becomes clear why black comedians tend to focus in on the topic. For a black audience, making light of race is especially funny because it is a relatable shared experience.
What is even funnier, is when comedians joke about the differences they observe. These jokes tend to go further, breeching the bounds of race. Black people laugh at the oddity of white people, and white people laugh at themselves or visa versa.
Of course, not all audiences find these jokes funny. The art of subtlety and tact has to be employed by the comedian. Some of the most skilled at this craft are Chris Rock, Nathaniel Stroman (Earthquake), Katt Williams, Dave Chappelle and South Africa’s own Trevor Noah.
It is important to note that jokes about race should never be intended to harm or mock, but be a mere observation of the strange nature of human beings.
