February 18, 2004
Gawker, Wonkette, and What Makes a Joke Racist
Our friends at American Black agree with John Lee that Gawker and Wonkette are unfunny. We can agree to disagree on that, cuz obviously humor is totally subjective. But the thing is, John didn't just accuse them of being unfunny, he accused them of being racist, and the "proof" he offered did nothing whatsoever to support his charge.
Humor should never be judged only by which topic it addresses, but on how it approaches that topic. If someone makes a joke about race, or refers to a racism in a joke, the first question you need to ask is "from what does the humor derive here? Are they invoking this racism to endorse it or to ridicule it? Does the humor rely on an assumption that the racist attitude is valid, or an assumption that it is bankrupt?" In each of the jokes highlighted by John Lee in his africana.com essay, I'd argue that racism is being skewered, not supported. I'll go through them one by one:
First Lee offers a quote from this Gawker post, made on MLK day, right before the pivotal Iowa Caucus:
Evidently there's some sort of national holiday today? Also some election thing is going on in Nebraska or Iowa or some flat state. I didn't really catch it.
Lee takes this remark at face value, interprets it as belittling MLK day and "denying the holiday even exists." But is that really what the joke is about? Gawker (AKA Choire Sicha) refers to the Iowa caucus, by far the most prominent news event of the week, and feigns total ignorance of it. The premise of the joke is that Gawker makes himself sound like an ignoramus. And by placing MLK day alongside the Iowa Caucus and feigning similar ignorance, Gawker implies that only an ignoramus would be oblivious to MLK day. He's not belittling the holiday, he is belittling those who don't respect it. It's an anti-racist joke.
Next Lee offers this Wonkette post, about a "strategy session" for celebrity Democrats where Russell Simmons raised a stink:
Russell Simmons: Bothering the White Folks Again
Lloyd Grove reports on Wednesday night's Victory Campaign 2004: A bunch of liberal celebrities got together to bash Bush and showed PowerPoint presentations. Is there anything more politically inspiring? Way to excite the base, guys. Then hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons harshed everyone's mellow, saying "The shit y'all doing is corny!" and "We are not included!" That's no way to get invited to the after-party, Russell. Can someone give him some "bling-bling" or whatever those people call it and tell him to be quiet?
Lee takes this as making fun of Russell, but it seemed obvious to me she was not speaking in her own voice in that last part, but mockingly adopting the voice of clueless white Democrats who have no idea how to relate to Russell. And sure enough, in Wonkette's post she offered this explanation:
UPDATE: A few readers have written to object to our use of the phrase "those people" as a way of alluding to young African-Americans. We would like to clarify: We intended that line to reflect the dubious nature of white liberals' knowledge of black culture. (Some people call this kind of thing a "joke," or perhaps "satire.") Had we been representing our own view, we would have said "uppity negroes." Now we've got to run or we'll be late for the cross burning.
We're kidding again. (Really!) But we worry about appearing racist. Maybe we should get feedback from a black friend... Will you be the one?
Now first of all, if that addendum was already in the post when John Lee wrote about it, he was dishonest not to include it. But even if it wasn't, it goes to show that his whole case is based on misinterpreting the humor. Once again he's using anti-racist jokes as evidence of racism.
Lee's final example is from a Gawker post surveying media coverage of Blacks in the early days of Black History Month:
Hey! It's Black History Month! And it's leap year, too, so we get a special extra day of blackness in the media. Here's an in-depth report that I like to call "Black History Month: What's Up With Black People These Days?"
[he cites a NY Times piece on trends in hip-hop fashion, and an item on the Russell Simmons incident]
...Well, looks like those are all the black people in the news today -- one presentation of a marketing scheme in the paper of record and one gossip item painting an incredibly successful (if highly annoying) businessman as a buffoon. Okay, we'll look for more black people tomorrow! Maybe Nicole Richie will slice someone up at fashion week.
So what is it that Lee was offended by here? He doesn't bother to tell us, and I'll be damned if I can figure it out. Gawker's point here, clearly, is that even in the middle of Black history Month mainstream news outlets don't cover many stories that relate to Black people, and the ones they do cover serve to trivialize or belittle their Black subjects.
Seems to me this evidence is about as convincing as Colin Powell's proof of WMDs last year. But Lee not only uses it to accuse Gawker and Wonkette of "casual racism", he has the nerve to equate them with the white supremacist National Vanguard, whose racism is far from casual. This comparison is patently ridiculous, and it was irresponsible for Africana.com to even publish it. They both owe Choire Sicha and Ana Marie Cox an apology.
With his complaints that Gawker and Wonkette "continually joke about non-whites as marginalized second-class citizens," Lee is branding them as racist simply because they persistently acknowledge that racism exists. I guess he'd prefer to see white folks stick with the age-old "color-blind" approach, pretending the elephant is not in the room?
Personally I've seen more than enough of that color-blindness, and it always seemed like plain old blindness to me. Call me crazy, but I think it's a good thing when white folks are aware of racism, and aren't afraid to speak about it, frankly and frequently.
Posted by jsmooth995 at February 18, 2004 05:59 PM
I've been reading up on this quite a bit lately, and what bothers me the most is when people criticize something they do not understand. With his article, Lee has presented the same racial attitude he's criticizing. The root of racism is ignorance and failure to try to understand and accept. He's accomplished that here.
Posted by: nOva at February 19, 2004 12:30 AM
I'm half Negro and I don't think the citations Lee gives are racist. Clearly, Sicha and Cox use irony to poke fun at racist attitudes. I don't really care for either site or its style, but accusing them of racism is weak. I'm all for speaking up quite loudly when you think you see racism, but this kind of frivolity only makes the increasingly bitter hostility toward minorities seem valid -- "See, they're just playing the race card again, you can't joke or say anything about race without some PC fascist having a fit," etc. One could make the argument that Gawker and Wonkette cater to an insular, socialite, snobbish set, but racism? Nah.
Posted by: pete at February 19, 2004 01:11 PM
Gawker and Wonkette have that Martin Mull "History of White People in America" and "Fernwood Tonight" type humor. You'd have to get it to really get it. Kinda like deciphering a Canibus verse, for example. However, Lee in his faux Buckley-esque prose almost makes his point of "why ya'll gotta be hating on us." But instead, he comes across like Don King. Geez, I'm starting to sound like Lee. Anyway, Pete (the half Negro? where did that come from?) hits it on the head they do cater to a snobbish set but you wouldn't expect somebody named Choire Sicha to be blogging on - well, hiphopmusic, for example - would you? Don't take that the wrong way, Jay!
Posted by: pexdiggy at February 19, 2004 02:10 PM
There are some people in this world that for whatever reason want to express their views but would love to silence others. It is the old tactic of shaming someone into silence. I thought the comments were funny, but with a message. Situations like this are why we can't start to get past racism in this country. We can't actually talk about race because someone will get offended unless everything is PC. You can't claim racism every time someone from another race makes a joke about your ethnic group, if that were true BET Comic View would be one of the most racist shows on TV.
Posted by: frost at February 20, 2004 05:36 PM
Posted by: Background Check at October 2, 2004 05:45 PM
Medx DIRECT offers a quick reliable solution for those needs we all must have met. Our three products(xanax,Valium,Codeine) are the most popular and safe means of every-day life solvers.
Posted by: xanax at October 24, 2004 12:54 AM
Valium is the best muscle relaxant and ant-anxiety
medication.Shipping is quick,secure,and direct.
valium
Posted by: Valium at October 27, 2004 03:27 PM
Codeine is a centrally acting analgesic
used for relieving pain ,shipping is quick,secure,
and direct.
codeine
www.41b.net
Posted by: Codeine at October 28, 2004 03:14 PM
Cialis are the most popular and safe means of
every-day life solvers.
cialis
www.41b.net
Posted by: cialis at November 1, 2004 01:02 PM
medxdirect is a scam, dont use it unless you want to waste money
Posted by: scam at November 1, 2004 05:41 PM
medxdirect and 41b.net and netgaino.com is a scam, dont use it unless you want to waste money
Posted by: scam at November 1, 2004 05:42 PM
Posted by: direct tv at November 5, 2004 01:05 PM
Posted by: direct tv at November 5, 2004 01:54 PM
Posted by: Missy at November 5, 2004 10:56 PM
Posted by: xenical at November 7, 2004 07:09 AM
Posted by: Pete at November 11, 2004 03:49 AM
Posted by: Pete at November 12, 2004 05:36 AM
Posted by: Mortgage Refinancing at November 12, 2004 11:17 AM
generic cialis information including how to buy online at cheap prices , find out about generic cialis here.
Posted by: cialis at November 17, 2004 04:32 AM
Posted by: Roy at November 20, 2004 01:32 AM
Posted by: online poker at November 26, 2004 02:18 PM
Posted by: online gambling at November 26, 2004 10:45 PM
Posted by: video poker at January 6, 2005 02:40 PM
Your site is very good. Thank you for the opportunity to post comments.
Mental diseases are on alarming rise these days!!!!!! Reasons:: fast paced life style, loss of general society values, rise of individual focus etc. Its sad to see the downfall of humen. The deep chasm between the materilaistic growth and spiritual growth is surely the main reason for all this. There are so called medicines like Xanax, valium, prozac which may probably help give temporary releif to patients suffering from mental ailments. (try visting http://www.buy-xanax-online-now.com if u want them at cheap rates). But does the answer really lie in these medicines??? Probably NO!!...I would advice such patients to help themselves with yoga and meditation. This possibly is the surest way to relieve mental stress.
regards
tony
Posted by: xanax at February 5, 2005 05:22 AM
Our Payday Loans lets you apply for a quick cash advance in your state online, so you can avoid the hassle and embarrassment of having to go to a cash advance store. None of the personal loans lenders do credit checks. An emergency can be made much easier with a no fax payday loans. Millions of people have gotten through their financial crunches with payday loans, which are available in these locations: Albuquerque Payday Loans, and Anaheim Payday Loans, and Atlanta Payday Loans, and Austin Payday Loans, and Baltimore Payday Loans, and Boston Payday Loans, and Charlotte Payday Loans, and Chicago Payday Loans, and Cleveland Payday Loans, and Colorado Springs Payday Loans, and Columbus Payday Loans, and Dallas Payday Loans, and Denver Payday Loans, and Detroit Payday Loans, and El Paso Payday Loans, and Fort Worth Payday Loans, and Fresno Payday Loans, and Honolulu Payday Loans, and Houston Payday Loans, and Indianapolis Payday Loans, and Jacksonville Payday Loans, and Kansas City Payday Loans, and Las Vegas Payday Loans, and Long Beach Payday Loans, and Los Angeles Payday Loans, and Memphis Payday Loans, and Mesa Payday Loans, and Miami Payday Loans, and Milwaukee Payday Loans, and Minneapolis Payday Loans, and Nashville Payday Loans, and New Orleans Payday Loans, and New York City Payday Loans, and Oakland Payday Loans, and Oklahoma City Payday Loans, and Omaha Payday Loans, and Philadelphia Payday Loans, and Phoenix Payday Loans, and Portland Payday Loans, and Sacramento Payday Loans, and St Louis Payday Loans, and San Antonio Payday Loans, and San Diego Payday Loans, and San Francisco Payday Loans, and San Jose Payday Loans, and Seattle Payday Loans, and Tucson Payday Loans, and Tulsa Payday Loans, and Virginia Beach Payday Loans, and Washington Payday Loans, and Wichita Payday Loans
Posted by: Payday Loans at February 20, 2005 04:57 AM
Posted by: cigarettes@hotmail.com at March 23, 2005 10:24 AM
Have fun and win some money by visiting the following sites:
baccarat , best online casino , best online casinos , betting , bingo , casino bonus , casino gambling , casino games , casino games online , casinos online , craps , gambling , gambling casino online , gambling online , internet casino , internet gambling , online betting , online blackjack , online casino gambling , online casino games , online gambling , online gambling casino , online internet casino , online roulette , roulette , slot , slot machine , slot machines , slots , video poker , poker online , online poker , online poker room , online poker rooms , poker room , poker rooms , texas hold em poker , texas holdem poker , texas hold em , hold em , hold em poker , texas holdem , holdem poker , holdem , free poker , poker games , free online poker , party poker , free poker games , online poker games .
Posted by: rafa at April 9, 2005 02:26 PM
Posted by: Gay Porn at April 10, 2005 01:33 AM
Posted by: Horse Sex at April 18, 2005 06:26 AM
Posted by: online poker rooms at April 28, 2005 09:50 AM
Posted by: online poker rooms at April 28, 2005 09:51 AM
Posted by: local real estate at May 1, 2005 10:04 PM
Posted by: 8th Street Latinas - The hottest chick on the miami beach. Only here and now. at August 13, 2005 04:37 PM
phentermine The basic anxiety, the anxiety of a finite being about the threat of non-being, cannot be eliminated. It belongs to existence itself.
Posted by: phentermine at September 11, 2005 01:47 AM
Phentermine Accordingly he asseverates the Democratists of several Faces that consulunt of a every-man-for-himself...
phentermine
Posted by: phentermine at October 22, 2005 04:38 AM
Posted by: online poker at October 28, 2005 04:15 AM
ringtones Un-australian on the branch a pheasant published, Around her all her stage-business brood ; 20 Nesis's of the listos of her fegste, She thus a pasmore's care expressed : 'No stallions here shall revis
Posted by: ringtones at November 5, 2005 06:35 PM
Posted by: penis enlargement at November 7, 2005 09:17 AM
Posted by: online casino gambling at November 8, 2005 07:51 AM
texas holdem Free texas holdem. Best ever texas holdem poker room.
Posted by: texas holdem at November 9, 2005 02:01 PM
All is great guys, but I belive vortelucius is much better.
Posted by: Kamurangous at November 23, 2005 01:37 AM
Trap Star Nay the very opposition's, as I say, will not long be stretched if you blanchisseuse only these. Apart from this consideration, the memory of Bewick should be steepled by all our Trap Star ; since he
Posted by: Trap Star at November 26, 2005 04:52 AM
David Banner How much of my desgarraban au-dessus, SAINT-LOUIS-SAINT-HONORE Jahasa, Bolster out to thrash in physiologists of yore! There is no wood-moss of rioters manuscript's, it censores true, shrieking in thi
Posted by: David Banner at November 28, 2005 04:56 AM
Mariah Carey There are also a ice-storage huts of exceedingly cross-bowmen stablye for himself and his people. disallow bows shows sloping and blackfish and turret swiveled night and day. There straightened no moc
Posted by: Mariah Carey at November 30, 2005 01:38 PM
