Black Americas have historically used comedy to cope with the sad realities of racism. Living in what Cornel West called “a perpetual state of emergency” has heightened Black American’s sensitivity to sometimes-subtle social truths. The best of the Black-American comedians cast a fresh light on every day social interactions in sometimes painful but often hilarious ways.
Dave Chappelle is among the best Black-American comedians working today.
Known to the world for his groundbreaking Chappelle Show, Dave Chappelle is also known in the Black community as a gifted stand-up comedian. Don’t be fooled by his aloof weed-filled persona, just below the surface of his relaxed delivery is a sharp comedic mind brimming with insightful social critique.
The Police and Race
Yes, he is exaggerating, but there is truth on display here. Would it be as funny were it not true on some level? Racial profiling is a reality in America. Here, Dave merely explicates in a comedic way what Black Folk have experienced for years.
The Ghetto
There is nothing funny about living in the ghetto. The ghetto is crime, disenfranchisement, substandard living conditions, and poor education. The ghetto is many things -- one thing it is not is funny. Yet, there is humanity in the ghetto. And for those individuals who are living in such deplorable conditions, the way many people survive is by making art (hip-hop, street art, break dancing) or making jokes. Dave chose the latter.
Food
Diabetes and obesity run rampant within the Black community. Part of the problem is diet. When Chappelle talks about grape juice vs grape drink, he is making a joke, yes, but also a subtle socio-economic critique.
Cartoons
What can I say? Dude’s funny.
-LW
Careful, Chappelle is awesome but he didn’t “survive the ghetto” by making comedy. His parents were both University professors. I’m not saying this makes his points less valid or that he is “fake” but this seems to be a common misperception about successful Black Americans. Often they come from middle class backgrounds – Kanye West is another such example.
How many of the impoverished whites make it? It’s obviously an easier mountain to climb for white folk, but it’s a mountain nonetheless. A middle class launch point seems to be the critical factor. And the middle class is slipping away… for all races.
Not proposing a communist agenda, but the current trend favors excess wealth bolstered by the excessive poor.
True, good catch.
Nevertheless, while Chappelle is not from the projects, he certainly did not live far from them. His primary school is not at all far from what would be considered the ghetto; nor is Howard’s campus where his mother taught–which is situated right in the ghetto.
In full disclosure, I come from a middle class background, but have relatives who live in the ghetto. I would venture to say that is a truth many African Americans experience. The ghetto is existentially just around the corner.
Word. Yo, btw, for those interested, check out Chappelle’s bit on that New Age horseshit, “The Secret”. It up on YouTube. -Funny-
It is funny. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbS9jZOlQjc
It seem a shame that most of the humour discussion has been about stand-up. There are so many factors such as showmanship,delivery and timing affecting the responses. Mightn’t we learn more by focusing on written comedy. Let’s face it we’d be wary of philosophy that relied on timing for impact.
The obvious choice would be P J O’Rourke .
Word. PJ is a gifted critic of phonies.
How can you discuss stand-up without mentioning it’s modern forefather Lenny Bruce? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDkoCtMOFOg
Before him it was mostly mother-in-law jokes.
This article is extraordinarily patronizing. So much so that, literally, almost any line coild be used as an example. I’d imagine your tone and/or perspectives would be similar if you were describing a zoo.
“Dave Chapelle is known in the Black community as a gifted stand up.” “Dave Chappelle is among the best Black comedians working today..”
Dave Chappelle is considered among the comedians in the history of comedy. His insight, delivers, unique premises, and willingness to take risks puts him in rarified air.
This post was written 5 years after the Chapelle Show. Which not only the high grossing comedy show released on DVD, it facilitated an offer of $50 million from the network. Comedy Central in general and the Chapelle Show specifically has/had a primary demographic made up of White people.
Lastly, the way you described the “ghetto” would be considered insulting to many. Describing the “ghetto” as deplorable more of a reflection of who you are than the “ghetto.”
There are MANY more examples of this same point.