(In Pursuit of) ‘Truth’ and ‘Authenticity’ in African ... · The Arab as the “New Nigger” ♦“It’s a good time to be black. If you ain’t got no towel wrapped around

1111thth Annual Conference on Language, Annual Conference on Language, Interaction, and Social Organization (LISO)Interaction, and Social Organization (LISO)

(In Pursuit of) (In Pursuit of) ‘‘TruthTruth’’ and and ‘‘AuthenticityAuthenticity’’ in African in African

American Standup ComedyAmerican Standup ComedyLanita Jacobs-Huey

Anthropology and American Studies & EthnicityUniversity of Southern California

May 13, 2005

Speaking My TruthSpeaking My Truth

♦Taking inspiration lately from writers– One advises writers to say what they mean up

front♦So, why “truth” and “authenticity” in Black

standup comedy?♦How did it this passion arise?

Truth and Authenticity in African Truth and Authenticity in African American Humor: On Getting ThereAmerican Humor: On Getting There♦♦ The catalyst of 9/11The catalyst of 9/11

– To what extent did African American and other “urban” comics find humor in the wake of such wide-scale tragedy and loss?

– What might their shared laughter say about matters of race, identity, and nationalism post 9/11?

– Finally, did some jokes succeed while others failed? Why or why not?

MultiMulti--Sited Ethnography of Sited Ethnography of Black Standup ComedyBlack Standup Comedy♦♦ Initial 15Initial 15--month intensive ethnographic studymonth intensive ethnographic study

–– 44--5 club visits per week in first month, 25 club visits per week in first month, 2--3 visits per 3 visits per week in subsequent months week in subsequent months (October 2001(October 2001--December 2003)December 2003)

–– 11--2 observations/tri2 observations/tri--weekly weekly (January 2004(January 2004--Present)Present)♦♦ Observe urban comedy shows and competitions Observe urban comedy shows and competitions

in and beyond Los Angeles in and beyond Los Angeles ♦♦ Conduct ethnographic interviews with 35+ Conduct ethnographic interviews with 35+

comics, club owners, promoters, clubcomics, club owners, promoters, club--goersgoers(150+ hours)(150+ hours)

♦♦ Frequent bystander in comicsFrequent bystander in comics’’ ““backstagebackstage””conversationsconversations

The Joke that ResonatedThe Joke that Resonated

“Black people, we have been delivered. “Black people, we have been delivered. Finally, we got a new nigger. The Finally, we got a new nigger. The Middle Easterner is the new niggah.”Middle Easterner is the new niggah.”

Comic/Writer Ian EdwardsComic/Writer Ian Edwards

“Finally”“Finally”African American Audience MemberAfrican American Audience Member

Theoretical InspirationTheoretical Inspiration

♦♦ Standup comics as Standup comics as ““everyday ethnographerseveryday ethnographers””♦♦ Urban comedy club as cultural localeUrban comedy club as cultural locale♦♦ Black comedy as a site for inBlack comedy as a site for in--group and crossgroup and cross--

cultural engagementscultural engagements–– Participants use humor and shared cultural frames Participants use humor and shared cultural frames

to interrogate the state of the nationto interrogate the state of the nation–– Black comics routinely explore transgressive Black comics routinely explore transgressive

““truthstruths”” and notions of authenticityand notions of authenticity–– Dialogical forum where controversial narratives are Dialogical forum where controversial narratives are

routinely taken uproutinely taken up

Racial Nuances of Black Standup Racial Nuances of Black Standup ComedyComedy♦♦ Audience as coAudience as co--authorauthor

–– “Black audiences are different from white “Black audiences are different from white audiences. They’re like, `Make me laugh audiences. They’re like, `Make me laugh motherfuckah. I done paid my money and I got motherfuckah. I done paid my money and I got stress. You stress. You betterbetter be funny. be funny. –– And don’t put me in And don’t put me in the front neither!’ White audiences come to black the front neither!’ White audiences come to black clubs and are appalled. They’re like, `Geez gosh, clubs and are appalled. They’re like, `Geez gosh, could you quiet down. There’s a comic on the stage. could you quiet down. There’s a comic on the stage. Can’t you see he’s talking? This is a comedy show Can’t you see he’s talking? This is a comedy show for Christ’ sake!’” for Christ’ sake!’” Mad TV Mad TV comic/actor Arie Spears comic/actor Arie Spears

Comedic Themes Concerning 9/11Comedic Themes Concerning 9/11

♦♦ Race and 9/11Race and 9/11♦♦ The Arab as the New NiggerThe Arab as the New Nigger♦♦ Racial Difference and 9/11Racial Difference and 9/11♦♦ Mixed Responses to 9/11 HumorMixed Responses to 9/11 Humor♦♦ An Ambivalent PatriotismAn Ambivalent Patriotism


♦♦Race and 9/11Race and 9/11♦♦ The Arab as the New NiggerThe Arab as the New Nigger♦♦ Racial Difference and 9/11Racial Difference and 9/11♦♦ Mixed Responses to 9/11 HumorMixed Responses to 9/11 Humor♦♦ An Ambivalent PatriotismAn Ambivalent Patriotism

Race and 9/11 JokesRace and 9/11 Jokes

““Why were there no flags being displayed before Why were there no flags being displayed before 9/11? Where was the patriotism? … Look at 9/11? Where was the patriotism? … Look at the flag the flag -- it was made in China!... it was made in China!... [Critics] [Critics] always say, always say, (stereotyped southern accent)(stereotyped southern accent) `Don’t `Don’t make fun of the flag you fucking … nigger boy. make fun of the flag you fucking … nigger boy. It’s America!’ Well [then] stop slapping [black] It’s America!’ Well [then] stop slapping [black] teenage heads against the hood of teenage heads against the hood of motherfucking police cars!” motherfucking police cars!”

comic/poet “Shang”comic/poet “Shang”


“Many people wonder why I’m not “Many people wonder why I’m not tripping after the terrorist attacks in New tripping after the terrorist attacks in New York and D.C. I’m a niggah York and D.C. I’m a niggah –– I’ve been I’ve been dealing with [white] terrorists all my life! dealing with [white] terrorists all my life! … … Still,Still, I’m glad the white man came I’m glad the white man came over to Africa and got over to Africa and got me!me!” ”

“Earthquake”“Earthquake”


If you’re not white, you’re not American If you’re not white, you’re not American ––Dominique Dominique

(Video 1)(Video 1)


♦♦ Race and 9/11Race and 9/11♦♦The Arab as the New NiggerThe Arab as the New Nigger♦♦ Racial Difference and 9/11Racial Difference and 9/11♦♦ Mixed Responses to 9/11 HumorMixed Responses to 9/11 Humor♦♦ An Ambivalent PatriotismAn Ambivalent Patriotism

The Arab as the “New Nigger”The Arab as the “New Nigger”

♦♦ ““It’s a good time to be black. If you ain’t got It’s a good time to be black. If you ain’t got no towel wrapped around your head, your ass no towel wrapped around your head, your ass is in the game!” is in the game!” Don “DC” CurryDon “DC” Curry

♦♦ “National tragedy was ‘messed up’ but it had “National tragedy was ‘messed up’ but it had it’s benefits. I haven’t been a nigger for a it’s benefits. I haven’t been a nigger for a month! Everyone’s like, `Hey Brother!’” month! Everyone’s like, `Hey Brother!’” “A.C.”“A.C.”

♦♦ “It’s a good time to be black. Afghanis are the “It’s a good time to be black. Afghanis are the new niggers. Cab drivers pick me up and let new niggers. Cab drivers pick me up and let meme drive!” drive!” Tony RockTony Rock


““There’s one good thing that came from the There’s one good thing that came from the terrorist attacks. For a good while, the police terrorist attacks. For a good while, the police left black people alone. [Recently] the police left black people alone. [Recently] the police stopped me. I had some weed in my hand and stopped me. I had some weed in my hand and some cocaine in the trunk. They asked me if some cocaine in the trunk. They asked me if I’d seen anything out of the ordinary. I told I’d seen anything out of the ordinary. I told them, them, (puffs an imaginary blunt)(puffs an imaginary blunt) Ì just saw two Ì just saw two Arabs walking down the street and they looked Arabs walking down the street and they looked suspicious. You may want to go check èm suspicious. You may want to go check èm out.’” out.’” Frantz CassiusFrantz Cassius


Cassius’ joke is based on true story: Cassius’ joke is based on true story: “Now, the focus is on something bigger than “Now, the focus is on something bigger than the Black man the Black man –– someone who’s someone who’s really really after after white people and not some imaginary white people and not some imaginary enemy.”enemy.”


♦♦ ““Excuse me stewardess? That gentleman who Excuse me stewardess? That gentleman who walked by with the gold chains and baggy jeans walked by with the gold chains and baggy jeans -- do you think he could have a seat next to me? do you think he could have a seat next to me? You can just take it off my tab.” You can just take it off my tab.” Ralph Harris Ralph Harris

♦♦ “[Now] white men … get to be suspects too. “[Now] white men … get to be suspects too. They get to see what it feels like.” Gee then They get to see what it feels like.” Gee then performed his interpretation of an angry white performed his interpretation of an angry white male passenger at an airport security check male passenger at an airport security check point: “What?! Take off my shoes? What the point: “What?! Take off my shoes? What the fuck for?! I don’t own a 7fuck for?! I don’t own a 7--11 or have a fucking 11 or have a fucking dot on my head!” dot on my head!” Courtney GeeCourtney Gee


♦♦ Race and 9/11Race and 9/11♦♦ The Arab as the New NiggerThe Arab as the New Nigger♦♦Racial Difference and 9/11Racial Difference and 9/11♦♦ Mixed Responses to 9/11 HumorMixed Responses to 9/11 Humor♦♦ An Ambivalent PatriotismAn Ambivalent Patriotism

Racial Difference and 9/11Racial Difference and 9/11

♦♦ ““Sama Bin Laden is a hell of a motivator. Sama Bin Laden is a hell of a motivator. He [lives] in caves while others blow shit He [lives] in caves while others blow shit up. Ain’t no niggahs gon’ go along with up. Ain’t no niggahs gon’ go along with that. If I worked for him it would be a that. If I worked for him it would be a whole ‘nother story. He’d be like, `Go do whole ‘nother story. He’d be like, `Go do that [stage a suicide bombing]!’ I’d be like, that [stage a suicide bombing]!’ I’d be like, `Where you gon’ be?!’ Hell, I know a pimp `Where you gon’ be?!’ Hell, I know a pimp when I see one!” when I see one!” EarthquakeEarthquake


♦♦ ““There must not have been a lot of brothers There must not have been a lot of brothers in first class the day that the planes were in first class the day that the planes were hijacked. I’m sorry but you can’t hijack no hijacked. I’m sorry but you can’t hijack no niggahs with a knife!” niggahs with a knife!” Michael Colyar Michael Colyar

♦♦ “God bless all those who died on September “God bless all those who died on September 11th, but I gotta be real. If it had been at 11th, but I gotta be real. If it had been at least three least three real real niggahs on the plane, Itniggahs on the plane, It--Wouldn’tWouldn’t--BeBe--NoNo--WarWar--RightRight--Now!” Now!” “Scruncho”“Scruncho”


♦♦ ““If Blacks had been on the plane …”If Blacks had been on the plane …”Eddie Griffin Eddie Griffin

(VIDEO 2)(VIDEO 2)


♦♦ ““God rest the souls of those who God rest the souls of those who died.died. But them must've been some But them must've been some passive whites on the plane.passive whites on the plane. What What happened to those niggerhappened to those nigger--killing, Indiankilling, Indian--landland--stealing white folks?stealing white folks? Where's the Where's the Aryan when you need him?Aryan when you need him? ... We ... We needed some big niggahs to guard the needed some big niggahs to guard the plane.plane. They would've made the terrorists They would've made the terrorists change their minds." change their minds." Geoff BrownGeoff Brown


♦♦ Brandon Bowlin’s critical rejoinderBrandon Bowlin’s critical rejoinder (VIDEO 3)(VIDEO 3)::“Black folks been living off the fumes of the Black Panther “Black folks been living off the fumes of the Black Panther movement for far too long. Thinking you [are] the shit just `movement for far too long. Thinking you [are] the shit just `cause cause you black. …Stop looking for rappers to be hard. You ain’t hard you black. …Stop looking for rappers to be hard. You ain’t hard just because you can snarl and say some dope ass lyrics… just because you can snarl and say some dope ass lyrics… `̀((snarls))((snarls)) I’m hard niggah!’ No. You’re not. The … lunatics who I’m hard niggah!’ No. You’re not. The … lunatics who blew up the World Trade Center took `hard’ to a whole new level.blew up the World Trade Center took `hard’ to a whole new level.You try that hard shit [with them], … they’ll [terrorists] look You try that hard shit [with them], … they’ll [terrorists] look at at you [and say], you [and say], ((stylized Middle Eastern accent)) ((stylized Middle Eastern accent)) `No you’re not `No you’re not hard. No I’m sorry … No sir … okay yeah okay rap rap okay. hard. No I’m sorry … No sir … okay yeah okay rap rap okay. ((mockingly waves hand as if frightened))((mockingly waves hand as if frightened)) I’m scared motherfucker. I’m scared motherfucker. Oh you come in here to rap for me? Oh noooo! My heart is beatingOh you come in here to rap for me? Oh noooo! My heart is beatingso ever fast sir.’”so ever fast sir.’”


♦♦ Race and 9/11Race and 9/11♦♦ The Arab as the New NiggerThe Arab as the New Nigger♦♦ Racial Difference and 9/11Racial Difference and 9/11♦♦Mixed Responses to 9/11 HumorMixed Responses to 9/11 Humor♦♦ An Ambivalent PatriotismAn Ambivalent Patriotism

Mixed Responses to 9/11 HumorMixed Responses to 9/11 Humor

♦♦ Not all jokes about September 11th Not all jokes about September 11th managed to provoke laughter.managed to provoke laughter.–– An amateur Black comedienne’s joke about An amateur Black comedienne’s joke about

Blacks’ tendency to run first and ask questions Blacks’ tendency to run first and ask questions later as a contributing factor to their death from later as a contributing factor to their death from upper floors of the World Trade Center met upper floors of the World Trade Center met silencesilence

–– A joke from amateur White male comic was A joke from amateur White male comic was met with silence and heckles from a met with silence and heckles from a predominantly Black audiencepredominantly Black audience


♦♦ The joke that failed:The joke that failed:–– “You are NOT from Africa. That’s for sure. You “You are NOT from Africa. That’s for sure. You

are American. Can you just see some [white] guy are American. Can you just see some [white] guy saying, … ‘I’m American. saying, … ‘I’m American. -- No wait. I’m No wait. I’m Swedish Swedish American.’ That’s not important right now in a American.’ That’s not important right now in a time of national crisis… Political correctness will die time of national crisis… Political correctness will die with the souls in New York. We need to be together, with the souls in New York. We need to be together, especially now. I want to help to make that happen especially now. I want to help to make that happen through comedy. Good night!”through comedy. Good night!”

(Amateur White Male Comic)


♦♦ A joke that met with mixed responses:A joke that met with mixed responses:–– “…White people, I love you dearly. I do. But Osama bin “…White people, I love you dearly. I do. But Osama bin

Laden Laden –– he ain’t mad at us, he mad at ya’ll. Ya’ll got a he ain’t mad at us, he mad at ya’ll. Ya’ll got a problem... I don’t know what you did to him, made him mad problem... I don’t know what you did to him, made him mad but ya’ll got a problem…. America was shocked ‘cause it’s not but ya’ll got a problem…. America was shocked ‘cause it’s not so much that we got bombed it’s so much that we got bombed it’s where where they bombed us. They they bombed us. They bombed us at the World Trade Center. That’s the World bombed us at the World Trade Center. That’s the World Bank in this country! You know ‘cause if it had …been Bank in this country! You know ‘cause if it had …been bombed in Compton … or Harlem, they would’ve been saying, bombed in Compton … or Harlem, they would’ve been saying, ((upbeat reporter voice))((upbeat reporter voice)) `… Osama Bin Laden has bombed `… Osama Bin Laden has bombed Compton, California and Harlem, New York. NEXT, Jim with Compton, California and Harlem, New York. NEXT, Jim with sports.’”sports.’”

Thea Vidale (NPR Tavis Smiley Show 8/2/02)Thea Vidale (NPR Tavis Smiley Show 8/2/02)


♦♦ ““A lot of people don’t know it but the safest A lot of people don’t know it but the safest place to be right now is the ghetto. Osama place to be right now is the ghetto. Osama and them not worried about niggahs. Can and them not worried about niggahs. Can you imagine Al’Qaeda trying to convince you imagine Al’Qaeda trying to convince bin Laden to bomb black people. They’d be bin Laden to bomb black people. They’d be like, Òsama we have found a target!’ like, Òsama we have found a target!’ Osama would be like Osama would be like ((highly agitated)) ((highly agitated)) `̀What is this Compton?! Look, I don’t have What is this Compton?! Look, I don’t have time for this.…’” time for this.…’” Arie Spears Arie Spears


♦♦ ““It’s a damn war going on and black folks It’s a damn war going on and black folks are the only one’s going out [and] having a are the only one’s going out [and] having a good time!” good time!” Chris SpencerChris Spencer

♦♦ “White people?! Why ya’ll let this “White people?! Why ya’ll let this happen?!” happen?!” Loni LoveLoni Love

♦♦ “White folks done got us into some “White folks done got us into some problems problems againagain.” .” Dave ChappelleDave Chappelle


♦♦ Race and 9/11Race and 9/11♦♦ The Arab as the New NiggerThe Arab as the New Nigger♦♦ Racial Difference and 9/11Racial Difference and 9/11♦♦ Mixed Responses to 9/11 HumorMixed Responses to 9/11 Humor♦♦An Ambivalent PatriotismAn Ambivalent Patriotism

An Ambivalent PatriotismAn Ambivalent Patriotism

♦♦ We all love this country but a lot of folks think We all love this country but a lot of folks think that blacks don’t support the war on terrorism. that blacks don’t support the war on terrorism. That’s bullshit. It’s just hard for me to get That’s bullshit. It’s just hard for me to get behind the war on terrorism over there when behind the war on terrorism over there when we haven’t done it here. Can we stop off in we haven’t done it here. Can we stop off in Alabama and hunt the terrorists there before Alabama and hunt the terrorists there before Afghanistan?! …People say, `Well if you don’t Afghanistan?! …People say, `Well if you don’t like it then go back to Africa.’like it then go back to Africa.’ What African What African tribe I’m a go back to?! Plus, black people tribe I’m a go back to?! Plus, black people helped build this country!helped build this country! … I love America.… I love America.

Evan Lionel, Actor/ComicEvan Lionel, Actor/Comic

An Ambivalent PatriotismAn Ambivalent Patriotism

♦♦ ““The attacks were on our rights and way The attacks were on our rights and way of life as Americans. You can “come up” of life as Americans. You can “come up” [do well] in this country! Plus, Black [do well] in this country! Plus, Black folks were saying, ‘We’re not trying to folks were saying, ‘We’re not trying to lose the rights we lose the rights we just just got!’” got!’”

Dwayne PerkinsDwayne Perkins

DuBoisian CodasDuBoisian Codas♦♦ ““Black people, we have been delivered. Finally, we got Black people, we have been delivered. Finally, we got

a new nigger. The Middle Easterner is the new nigger.” a new nigger. The Middle Easterner is the new nigger.” Comic Ian Edwards (October 27, 2001)Comic Ian Edwards (October 27, 2001)

♦♦ “Hell if we had placed bets on whether or not the “Hell if we had placed bets on whether or not the [Washington, DC] sniper was black or white, we [Washington, DC] sniper was black or white, we would’ve all lost money! I couldn’t believe it was a would’ve all lost money! I couldn’t believe it was a brother [African American]! The sniper done set us brother [African American]! The sniper done set us back again! After September 11th, we wasn’t niggers back again! After September 11th, we wasn’t niggers no more. We had new niggers! no more. We had new niggers! Now, we niggers again. Now, we niggers again. …How you gon’ be niggers again?!”…How you gon’ be niggers again?!”

Comic Ray Chatman (October 26, 2002)Comic Ray Chatman (October 26, 2002)

African American 9/11 JokesAfrican American 9/11 Jokes♦♦ 9/11 jokes offer cautionary perspectives about 9/11 jokes offer cautionary perspectives about

American’s war on terrorism and its socioAmerican’s war on terrorism and its socio--political political ramificationsramifications–– Denounce blanket racial profiling via sardonic critiquesDenounce blanket racial profiling via sardonic critiques–– Condemn simplistic and ahistorical accounts of U.S.Condemn simplistic and ahistorical accounts of U.S.--Middle East Middle East

conflict that conveniently absolve America from culpability in pconflict that conveniently absolve America from culpability in past ast and present tragediesand present tragedies

–– Critically consider what America’s new war on terrorism will Critically consider what America’s new war on terrorism will mean for them as African Americans who, in the words of mean for them as African Americans who, in the words of comic/actor Faizon Love, “only get to be Americans when [the comic/actor Faizon Love, “only get to be Americans when [the nation] needs something from them.” nation] needs something from them.”

–– Offer important racially nuanced perspectives on what it means tOffer important racially nuanced perspectives on what it means to o be an American in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks be an American in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks ––perspectives too often lost when our nation rallies in the face perspectives too often lost when our nation rallies in the face of of “new” vulnerabilities.“new” vulnerabilities.

On Writing On Writing ““The Arab is the New The Arab is the New NiggerNigger””♦♦ Simultaneously a means of sharing what Simultaneously a means of sharing what

II’’ve learned and a gesture towards ve learned and a gesture towards reciprocityreciprocity

♦♦ ComicsComics’’ access to this manuscript had access to this manuscript had important consequences important consequences

The Politics of Representation and The Politics of Representation and ReciprocityReciprocity♦♦ ComicsComics’’ access to this manuscriptaccess to this manuscript

•• Contributed to an evolving coda:` The Contributed to an evolving coda:` The Arab is *not* the Arab is *not* the ““new niggernew nigger””

•• Afforded a Afforded a ““richerricher”” understanding of understanding of complexities of the sardonic complexities of the sardonic ““Arab as new Arab as new niggernigger”” stance stance

•• Repositioned me as Repositioned me as ““the writerthe writer””

The Politics of Representation and The Politics of Representation and ReciprocityReciprocity♦♦ ComicsComics’’ access to this manuscriptaccess to this manuscript

•• Contributed to an evolving coda:` The Arab is Contributed to an evolving coda:` The Arab is *not* the *not* the ““new niggernew nigger””


•• Repositioned me as Repositioned me as ““the writerthe writer””

The Politics of Representation and The Politics of Representation and ReciprocityReciprocity♦♦ ComicsComics’’ access to this manuscript access to this manuscript

•• Contributed to an evolving coda: The Arab is Contributed to an evolving coda: The Arab is *not* the *not* the ““new niggernew nigger””


•• Repositioned me as Repositioned me as ““the writerthe writer”” in the in the eyes of many comicseyes of many comics

Truth Be Told…Truth Be Told…

♦♦ ““Arab As New Nigger” paper gets me closer to Arab As New Nigger” paper gets me closer to notions of “truth” and “authenticity”notions of “truth” and “authenticity”–– 9/11 jokes act as counternarratives to mainstreams 9/11 jokes act as counternarratives to mainstreams

truths about 9/11truths about 9/11–– Engages notions of Engages notions of ““authenticityauthenticity”” insofar as jokes insofar as jokes

about racial difference and 9/11 (e.g., about racial difference and 9/11 (e.g., ““If Blacks had If Blacks had been on the planebeen on the plane…”…”) play upon notions of racial ) play upon notions of racial authenticity that link Blackness with cunning authenticity that link Blackness with cunning sensibilities and urban combat skillssensibilities and urban combat skills

–– But IBut I’’d like to say this and much mored like to say this and much more

Where I Want (Need) To BeWhere I Want (Need) To Be♦♦ I want to move from merely framing I want to move from merely framing

comedy as a form of sociocomedy as a form of socio--political political critiquecritique–– to to also also show comedy to be a performative site show comedy to be a performative site

where notions of truth and authenticity are where notions of truth and authenticity are routinely interrogated and constructedroutinely interrogated and constructed

♦♦ I want to move from generic/sterile I want to move from generic/sterile “scientific” writing about comedy“scientific” writing about comedy–– And get closer to the ‘truths’ embedded in the And get closer to the ‘truths’ embedded in the

multimulti--genred space of my ethnographic notesgenred space of my ethnographic notes

Where I Want (Need) To BeWhere I Want (Need) To Be♦♦ Mainly, I want to explore notions of Mainly, I want to explore notions of

“Truth” and “Authenticity” in African “Truth” and “Authenticity” in African American HumorAmerican Humor– Ethnographic Interviews take me part of the

way– (But) I must also begin conducting videotaped

observations of comics’ standup routines and audience dynamics

• The visual is an important window into the nuances of the audience as co-participants in comedic performance and interpretation

Where I Am in this JourneyWhere I Am in this Journey♦♦ Initial & Tentative PublicationsInitial & Tentative Publications♦♦ Curricular Inspirations (African Curricular Inspirations (African

American Humor & Culture, The American Humor & Culture, The Practice of Ethnography)Practice of Ethnography)

♦♦ Honed a strong “footing” in LA Honed a strong “footing” in LA comedy scenecomedy scene

♦♦ Emerging theories within Emerging theories within ethnographic notes (100+ pages)ethnographic notes (100+ pages)

What Gets In The Way?What Gets In The Way?♦♦ Tenure DemandsTenure Demands♦♦ Teaching DemandsTeaching Demands♦♦ A Second More Noble and A Second More Noble and

Prestigious Research ProjectPrestigious Research Project♦♦ Fears, InsecuritiesFears, Insecurities

Fears/InsecuritiesFears/Insecurities♦♦ What at all do I have to say that’s worth What at all do I have to say that’s worth

listening to?listening to?♦♦ How can I possibly do justice to the complexity How can I possibly do justice to the complexity

of comics’ routines and personal lives?of comics’ routines and personal lives?♦♦ Some people won’t like what I writeSome people won’t like what I write♦♦ They [comics] are going to tell me “no”They [comics] are going to tell me “no”♦♦ I won’t be able to meet my own/comics’ I won’t be able to meet my own/comics’

expectationsexpectations♦♦ This work won’t help me gain the respect of This work won’t help me gain the respect of

my peersmy peers

What Writers Teach MeWhat Writers Teach Me♦♦ We write to find out what we know and what we want We write to find out what we know and what we want

to say. to say. William Zinsser, Writing to LearnWilliam Zinsser, Writing to Learn♦♦ ““I write to tell myself the truth, the whole truth, and I write to tell myself the truth, the whole truth, and

nothing but the truth. I write, not to make art, but to nothing but the truth. I write, not to make art, but to make sense. I am looking for honesty, not artistrymake sense. I am looking for honesty, not artistry. . Julia Julia Cameron, The Right to WriteCameron, The Right to Write

♦♦ So in a sense, each time we sit down to write, we have to So in a sense, each time we sit down to write, we have to be willing to die, to let go, and enter something bigger be willing to die, to let go, and enter something bigger than ourselves. Wild mind includes writing with our than ourselves. Wild mind includes writing with our whole body, our arms, our hearts, legs, shoulders, and whole body, our arms, our hearts, legs, shoulders, and belly. This kind of writing is athletic and alive. We belly. This kind of writing is athletic and alive. We must get out there in the playing fields of our notebook. must get out there in the playing fields of our notebook. Natalie Goldberg, Long Quiet Highway: Waking Up In Natalie Goldberg, Long Quiet Highway: Waking Up In AmericaAmerica

What Writers Teach MeWhat Writers Teach Me♦♦ Like the standLike the stand--up comic who polishes every joke to its up comic who polishes every joke to its

highest possible luster (gives each joke its proper highest possible luster (gives each joke its proper accents and timing, proper eye rolls and double takes), accents and timing, proper eye rolls and double takes), polish each element of the total fiction so that the story polish each element of the total fiction so that the story is not only good as a whole but arresting from moment is not only good as a whole but arresting from moment to moment.to moment. John Gardner, On Becoming a NovelistJohn Gardner, On Becoming a Novelist

♦♦ Yet our finest writing will certainly come from what is Yet our finest writing will certainly come from what is unregenerate in ourselves. It will come from the part unregenerate in ourselves. It will come from the part that is obdurate, unbanishable, immune to education, that is obdurate, unbanishable, immune to education, springing up like grass. It will come from who we springing up like grass. It will come from who we already are and how we already write. already are and how we already write. Bonnie Bonnie Friedman, Writing Past Dark: Envy, Fear, Distraction Friedman, Writing Past Dark: Envy, Fear, Distraction ––and Other Dilemmas in the Writerand Other Dilemmas in the Writer’’s Lifes Life

What Writers Teach MeWhat Writers Teach Me♦♦ But if you dream of having your work stay alive But if you dream of having your work stay alive

beyond your tenure on earth, if you hope to see it beyond your tenure on earth, if you hope to see it beside the unforgettable voices that are part of our beside the unforgettable voices that are part of our literary diaspora, then you must be fearless in every literary diaspora, then you must be fearless in every aspect of your writing, from the syntax to the aspect of your writing, from the syntax to the symbolism. symbolism. Betsy Lerner, The Forest From the Trees: An Betsy Lerner, The Forest From the Trees: An EditorEditor’’s Advice to Writerss Advice to Writers

♦♦ If thereIf there’’s one truth that comes out of your writing s one truth that comes out of your writing education, one single nugget of plain truth you can education, one single nugget of plain truth you can walk away with, it will be this:walk away with, it will be this: youyou’’re on your own.re on your own.Brett Lott, Before We Get Started: A Practical Memoir on Brett Lott, Before We Get Started: A Practical Memoir on the Writerthe Writer’’s Lifes Life

Writing as a Metaphor for the Craft Writing as a Metaphor for the Craft of Language Researchof Language Research♦♦ Must silence critical voices withinMust silence critical voices within♦♦ Must be willing to Must be willing to ““diedie”” unto ourselves to do our unto ourselves to do our

best work; to best work; to ““give upgive up”” the book the book –– the article the article –– the the publication publication –– in order to gain themin order to gain them

♦♦ Must write constantly and critically to find our Must write constantly and critically to find our truths and nurture our distinct truths and nurture our distinct ““voicevoice””

♦♦ Must realize that finding and refining the truths of Must realize that finding and refining the truths of our findings, as well as our distinctive voices, are, our findings, as well as our distinctive voices, are, ultimately, ultimately, up to usup to us

A Hopeful PostscriptA Hopeful Postscript♦♦ May 7, 2005 May 7, 2005 –– Email to Club ManagerEmail to Club Manager

–– Hope all is well. Hope all is well. ……some time ago, I spoke with you about the some time ago, I spoke with you about the possibility of taking my comedy project to another level; insteapossibility of taking my comedy project to another level; instead of d of merely writing about it, I would start videotaping comics sets'.merely writing about it, I would start videotaping comics sets'.(Some things can't be conveyed in print). You mentioned this (Some things can't be conveyed in print). You mentioned this would be okay, so long as comics' consented. With my hair book would be okay, so long as comics' consented. With my hair book submitted and classes ending, I want to make a move in this submitted and classes ending, I want to make a move in this direction this summer. I haven't asked comics' yet, because I direction this summer. I haven't asked comics' yet, because I wanted to get your consent first. But I know that the Comedy wanted to get your consent first. But I know that the Comedy Union is a place I'd like to spend some time, either the Monday,Union is a place I'd like to spend some time, either the Monday,Friday, or Saturday show. My hope is that I could videotape Friday, or Saturday show. My hope is that I could videotape comics' sets and provide them with copies of their specific setscomics' sets and provide them with copies of their specific sets as a as a gesture of reciprocity. I also hope that you (and comics') trusgesture of reciprocity. I also hope that you (and comics') trust my t my interests are longinterests are long--term and scholarly. I wanted to put that out there term and scholarly. I wanted to put that out there and see what you thought. Thanks for considering. Lanitaand see what you thought. Thanks for considering. Lanita

1111thth Annual Conference on Language, Annual Conference on Language, Interaction, and Social Organization (LISO)Interaction, and Social Organization (LISO)

(In Pursuit of) (In Pursuit of) ‘‘TruthTruth’’ and and ‘‘AuthenticityAuthenticity’’ in African in African

American Standup ComedyAmerican Standup ComedyLanita Jacobs-Huey ([email protected])

Anthropology and American Studies & EthnicityUniversity of Southern California

May 13, 2005

Documents

(In Pursuit of) ‘Truth’ and ‘Authenticity’ in African ... · The Arab as the “New Nigger” ♦“It’s a good time to be black. If you ain’t got no towel wrapped around