# White man makes fun of blacks, everyone laughs **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 6, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114 "2003-02-06T02:45:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/61 "2003-02-07T21:52:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by amarinth \* > \*\*Got a cite for this law? > I’m dying to see it. \*\* Show me a case of a black person punished for making racist comments in the work place. Can’t find one? Rest my case. ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/62 "2003-02-07T22:00:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by monstro \* > \*\*Please cite a SINGLE example of a white **comedian** getting in “trouble” for making fun of black people. \*\* The title of this thread says “white man,” and now you want to narrow it down. Fine. Ted Danson dons blackface for a celebrity roast of Whoopie Goldberg, and is condemned. Disney will not re-release “Song of the South” in the United States because of its racial content. The “Amos and Andy” series is virtually unreleasable because of protests over whites making fun of blacks. Warner Bros. and other cartoon studios have self-censored numerous cartoons containing joking images of blacks. Andrew Dice Clay was routinely condemned for his jokes about minorities and women. I also recall New York Senator Alfonse D’Amato taking a lot of heat for mocking O.J. Simpson judge Lance Ito in a pidgin accent --some people would call D’Amato a comedian. I got facts. You got flames. ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/63 "2003-02-07T22:06:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by you with the face \* > \*\*by Pucky: > What? You’re ass-backwards here. When people make a claim, they need to back that claim up. Basic science 101. \*\* I’m checking the Opie, and it looks like pizzabrat was the one making the claim. The claim was that a white comic made fun of black people and got away with it. It was presented as if this is the norm. If it is the norm, I’d like to see more than one example. > [@](#): > > And my cat likes to lick her crotch after visiting the litter box. Your point would be…? Don’t join her. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/64 "2003-02-07T22:08:57Z")
What does Fear Factor say about gender politics? I mean, if chycks don’t like insects, how could they possibly become leaders of major American political parties? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/65 "2003-02-07T22:57:43Z")
Funny, \*\*Pucky[b/], but all of your examples harken back to the era of minstrel shows, when it was chic for white comedians to laugh their asses off at black people (who had no power to retaliate). This facts weakens your argument even more, IMHO. > [@](#): > > It was presented as if this is the norm. No, he was simply throwing the ball in the nay-sayers court. ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/66 "2003-02-07T23:04:48Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by monstro \* \*\*Funny, **Pucky[b/], but all of your examples harken back to the era of minstrel shows, when it was chic for white comedians to laugh their asses off at black people …** [quote] Actually, they don’t all do this. But you’ve accidentally acknowledged one aspect of this controversy: white comics have been avoiding making fun of blacks for a very long time, because of the backlash. And if this is not so, cite more than just one isolated example of white comics freely insulting blacks with no condemnation. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/67 "2003-02-08T01:11:10Z")
> [@](#): > > white comics have been avoiding making fun of blacks for a very long time, What is a “very long time”? Because they _were_ making fun of blacks for a very long time, much longer than black people have been making fun of white people. > [@](#): > > And if this is not so, cite more than just one isolated example of white comics freely insulting blacks with no condemnation. How about Andrew Dice Clay? But I still fail to see your point. Black comics make fun of whites, but they also make fun of black people. In fact, most black humor is self-deprecating. Simply mentioning race in a stand-up act is not necessarily offensive or racist. Name one black comic who’s act is overtly insulting to whites, with no tongue-in-cheekness about it. Few comics will go far by being mean or insulting to anyone (Bill Mahr is one of them). Black comics are no exception. Which group is the target of more ethnic jokes: black people or white people? If you know the answer, do you think this explains why mainstream comedy doesn’t “go there” anymore? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/68 "2003-02-08T01:34:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pucky Schumer \* > \*\*Show me a case of a black person punished for making racist comments in the work place. > Can’t find one? > Rest my case. \*\* In other words, it’s an imaginary law for a government that’s a figment of your imagination. Thought so. ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/69 "2003-02-08T01:39:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by monstro \* > **How about Andrew Dice Clay?** I noted Clay, and the fact that he took an enourmous amount of criticism. > [@](#): > > But I still fail to see your point. Black comics make fun of whites, but they also make fun of black people. True. I am challenging the Opie to name more than one white comic who gets away with mocking black people and is not condemned for it. Each group can usually target itself without much offense – black comics have more leeway to use the n-word, for example. It’s when the offense crosses racial lines that people take exception. For instance, Spike Lee harshly criticized Quentin Tarintino (sp?) for the frequency of the n-word in QT’s “Jackie Brown.” > [@](#): > > In fact, most black humor is self-deprecating. Simply mentioning race in a stand-up act is not necessarily offensive or racist. Name one black comic who’s act is overtly insulting to whites, with no tongue-in-cheekness about it. You mean you want me to name a comic who jokes without joking? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/70 "2003-02-08T01:48:19Z")
by Pucky > [@](#): > > Ted Danson dons blackface for a celebrity roast of Whoopie Goldberg, and is condemned. Okay. Your next step is to show that a comparable act has been done by a black comedian, with no negative reaction. Before you supply an answer, please note that I said \* comparable\*. Your gripe is based on the premise that all racial jokes are equal in offensiveness. That’s a bunch of hooey and you should be old enough to know that. Here’s a handy analogy: skinny jokes and fat jokes. Make fun of Kate Moss because her ribs stick out and hardly anyone blinks an eye. Make fun of Star Jones’ prodigous belly, however, and a riot is likely to ensue. Why? Being skinny doesn’t carry the same amout of baggage as being fat. The latter is a more sensitive issue. Skinny people have a history of being praised and emulated. Fat people have a history of being snubbed and stigmatized. Can you really compare skinny jokes with fat jokes as if they are equal in offensiveness? Yes. But not without looking like a hypersensitive activist for Political Correctness, The Cry Baby Brand. Perhaps it’s not the look you’re going for, but it’s the role you’re playing. ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/71 "2003-02-08T02:07:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by you with the face \* > **Okay. Your next step is to show that a comparable act has been done by a black comedian, with no negative reaction.** Easy: Spike Lee’s [Bamboozled.](http://tvguide.com/Movies/database/ShowMovie.asp?MI=42589) And enough with this “your next step” bullshit. **Your** next step is to show another white comic who regularly gets away with making fun of blacks. I’ve asked for this time and time again and you can’t provide it. ---
**Author:** ![Amok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f17d59/32.png) [@Amok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amok)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/72 "2003-02-08T02:45:15Z")
> [@](#): > > _Pucky Schumer wrote:_ > Your next step is to show another white comic who regularly gets away with making fun of blacks. I’ve asked for this time and time again and you can’t provide it. Did you read my post? Or for a third example, how about the “My Black Mama” skit that Mad TV used to do several years ago, which featured Artie Lange in a fake sitcom about a white man who had been possesed by the ghost of a black woman. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/73 "2003-02-08T02:51:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Easy: Spike Lee’s Bamboozled. I thought you were going to find…oh, I dunno…a example of a black comic making fun of whites, particularly in a manner comparable to the Danson stunt. Is your issue now with blacks getting away with making black jokes that would be frowned upon by whites? Are you trying to bamboozle me with a bait and switch? > [@](#): > > Your next step is to show another white comic who regularly gets away with making fun of blacks. I’ve asked for this time and time again and you can’t provide it. I mentioned SNL earlier and I’ll mention it again. That show habitually employs “look at how funny black people behave…they’re CRAZY!” type of humor. It’s coming on tomorrow night. Take a critical look at it. ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/74 "2003-02-08T02:56:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by you with the face \* > \*\*Your gripe is based on the premise that all racial jokes are equal in offensiveness. \*\* Cite exactly where, in this thread or on this board, I have made such a gripe. Can’t? Then you are inventing straw men to avoide the question. Show me a white comic who gets away with ridiculing blacks. > [@](#): > > Here’s a handy analogy: skinny jokes and fat jokes. Make fun of Kate Moss because her ribs stick out and hardly anyone blinks an eye. The people on [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=157699) would blink lots of eyes. > [@](#): > > Can you really compare skinny jokes with fat jokes as if they are equal in offensiveness? Yes. But not without looking like a hypersensitive activist for Political Correctness, The Cry Baby Brand. > > Perhaps it’s not the look you’re going for, but it’s the role you’re playing. Take that up with the people on the thread I cited. And meanwhile, I’m waiting for proof of other white comics who get away with bashing black people. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/75 "2003-02-08T03:11:01Z")
Let me add that Danson’s attempt at humor is not comparable to Bamboozled. Although the man was probably trying his level best to pull off witty satire, he failed. The line between crassness and edgy satire is a thin one, and he didn’t walk it without stumbling. He intended to be funny, but he only ended up stinking up the room. Bamboozled wasn’t supposed to be funny. In fact, the message of the movie was that minstrel shows should not be considered funny, because of what they represent. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/76 "2003-02-08T03:33:56Z")
> [@](#): > > And meanwhile, I’m waiting for proof of other white comics who get away with bashing black people. I guess you missed where I submitted for your approval Saturday Night Live. So I will say it again: That show habitually employs “look at how funny black people behave…they’re CRAZY!” type of humor. It’s coming on tomorrow night. Take a critical look at it. > [@](#): > > The people on this thread would blink lots of eyes As a skinny girl myself, I don’t like it when people make fun of my physique (particularly my chest and ass), but it would be a lie for me to say that I feel hurt by comedians making fun of the Calista Flockhart’s of the world. However, I’d be willing to bet my life savings that overweight folks take it a lot more personally when comedians make fun of other fat people. And this is my point. Fat people are more likely to take offense at fat jokes than skinny folks take offense at skinny bashing. This disparity in response is not because skinny people are more stoic and fat people are more whiny. It is because, at the end of the day, who has it easier? Fat people or skinny people? ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/77 "2003-02-08T03:37:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by you with the face \* > **Let me add that Danson’s attempt at humor is not comparable to Bamboozled. Although the man was probably trying his level best to pull off witty satire, he failed.** You didn’t find it funny? Fine. A white man tried to use blackface ironically, and he was flamed. A black man uses blackface ironically, the white critics lick his boots. Q.E.D. I still haven’t seen any proof of any other white comics getting away with insulting blacks. The Opie cited one example as if it disproved the rule. It doesn’t. Maybe it indicates that times are changing, but it doesn’t mean the standards of the past did not exist. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/78 "2003-02-08T03:53:17Z")
> [@](#): > > You didn’t find it funny? Fine. A white man tried to use blackface ironically, and he was flamed. A black man uses blackface ironically, the white critics lick his boots. Q.E.D. Why are stuck on trying to prove something with this line of argument? Not only is it not helping your case (i.e. that blacks bash whites but whites can’t bash blacks), but these two things are not comparable! Ted Danson made a fool of himself because he made something that shouldn’t have been racial, VERY racial. Unflatteringly racial. He was trying to be satirical, but the satire was overwhelmed by the inappropriateness of his “costume”, giving the occasion and the environment. I actually don’t think he meant anything bad by it, but that still doesn’t excuse the insensitivity of his actions. Bamboozled is a movie that examines the very thing that Ted Danson was exploiting. Did you even see it? ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/79 "2003-02-08T04:16:14Z")
> [@](#): > > I still haven’t seen any proof of any other white comics getting away with insulting blacks. The Opie cited one example as if it disproved the rule. What rule!? I’m going to disprove a rule because there was none! You’ve got to establish a rule before I can disprove it. Again, give examples of white COMEDIANS getting in trouble for making jokes about blacks, then there will be a rule to disprove. Otherwise, you’re just a whiner who wants to pathetically ride the oppression train. ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-man-makes-fun-of-blacks-everyone-laughs/153114/80 "2003-02-08T04:17:57Z")
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