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Grace Boey: Using Race in Humour

Friday, November 17, 2017 - 3:00pm

COHEN 402

 

In this session, I'll screen two standup comedy routines: Ali Wong's Baby Cobra (2016) and Amy Schumer's Mostly Sex Stuff (2012). Both comedians employ the use of race in their humour to various effects, and after the screenings, I'll kickstart a discussion about this tactic. What makes a joke about race permissible, and what makes it racist? What makes us cringe at some of these jokes, but laugh in approval at others? Does any of this depend on the the race of the speakers and hearers? We'll discuss these questions and more.