The Comedic Approach

Some language may be found offensive.

Dave Chapel's comedic approach to racism touches on many actual issues that arise in classroom discussion. The first thing he discusses is the different work ethics of African American people versus Caucassion people and also the ability of caucasions to travel undisturbed. He reinforces the idea of white privilege in this segment, just as Peggy McIntosh did in her article by discussing situations where he may be seen as a racialized figure, by white or otherwise ethnically different populations. Moving on to the 2:00 mark of the skit he talks about typical stereotypes. From accusing a white man of colonising to a black man of drug use, he reinforces many of the stereotypes that we have discussed in the source material. He discusses the issue lightly, while there are many people still face the negative effects of racism. From bullying at a younger age to acts of crime against individuals in a professional or institutional sense, as Razack outlines in his article of the Canadian Airborne Regiment, racism is still very much an issue. His differential views give rise to the idea that racism is NOT a negative social factor, but indeed a natural and accessible thing. As long as racism can be treated as a joke is it possible to overcome it?