It's Just Comedy. Or is it?

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Title: The Black Comedian’s Plight
Subtitle: It’s Just Comedy…Or Is It?

I can sort of relate to what Dave Chappelle went through. Before anyone
starts assuming things, No, www.Blackpower.com has not given me $50 million.
I have no idea what having that much money feels like. None whatsoever.

What I’m referring to is pressure. Not just any kind of pressure, but the unique kind of pressure that comes with being a black comedian. Due to the many negative images of African Americans that have been projected throughout the years in film and on television, you kind of have to be aware of what you’re putting out there. When you’re making people laugh, sometimes there’s a fine line between being viewed as a genius, or a coon.

The ghosts of minstrelsy shucking and jiving have created a Catch-22 situation in entertainment. Black comedians have to answer to a number of unfair criticisms that their white counterparts do not. A white comic and a black comic can do the same silly thing in a film, and I guarantee you that it’ll be called “physical comedy” in one case, and “coonery” in the other. The worst part about it is that black people are the ones who are most guilty of this kind of labeling!

As far as the stuff that I write over here and on www.listentoleon.net, and even my onstage work, I have come to realize that there’s only one phrase that truly sums up my feelings about the situation: “F–k you if you can’t take a joke!”

Seriously, it’s not my job to educate America on race, or serve as the representative for every black person in America. That said, I do take time to consider what I say or publish, so that I can stand behind whatever I put out there without fear of having to retract anything. It just so happens that I am a very intelligent guy. That does not mean that I don’t have shallow thoughts from time to time.

Maybe I might want to discuss global poverty on Monday, and then share my opinion on what the perfect breasts look and feel like on Wednesday. As you see, someone could read either day, and totally label me in two almost completely opposite ways.

I don’t want to make this entry sound one-sided, as if black comics are victims or something. Sometimes, the label is warranted. Nobody put a gun to Tyler Perry’s head and told him to dress up like a loud old lady with a bad temper.

I am not hating on Tyler, because I’m happy that he’s been able to come up the way that he has. The man’s built an empire, and deserves respect for that. I just want him to kill off that God-forsaken Madea shtick.

He can even make a film about the character’s demise: “Madea Goes To Hell.” That way, he’ll get one more chance to climb his big ass into a dress and forget about the fact that he has balls for about 2 hours, while giving his favorite character one last hurrah!

I’m also going to provide a mathematical equation for filmmakers, comedians and actors, to help them avoid looking like jackasses and enhancing stereotypes. Don’t worry, this is elementary school math. No algebra, long division, or anything else that requires a pen and paper.
The equation is as follows:

Intelligent + Silly = Comedy.
Original + Silly = Comedy.
Ignorant + Silly = Buffoonery.
Ignorant + Unoriginal = Not even worth watching long enough to label.

Entertainment industry, I hope that helps.

This story is filed under: A Guy Named Leon, Arts & Culture

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