'A lot of black people can relate to this. Have you ever had something happen that was so racist, you didn't even get mad? You were just like 'Gah damn, that was racist!' I mean it was so blatant you were like 'wow...' That happened to me. I was in Mississippi doing a show. And I walk into this resteraunt to order some food, and I say to the guy 'I would like to have...' And before i could even finish my sentence, he says, 'The chicken!' I was like 'What the fuck?!' I couldn't believe it. This man was absolutely right! I said 'How did he know that I was gonna get some chicken?' I asked him, I was like 'How'd you know that? How'd you know I was gonna get some chicken?' He looked at me like I was crazy. 'Come on buddy. Now everybody knew as soon as you walked through the god damn door that you were gonna get some chicken. It a no secret down here that blacks and chickens are quite fond of one another.' And then I finally understood what he was saying and I got upset. I wasn't even mad, I was just upset. I wasn't ready to hear that shit. All these years, I thought I liked chicken cause it was delicioius; but turns out, I'm genetically predisposed to likin chicken!'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A comedian recounts a racist encounter where a stereotype was used against him, highlighting the absurdity of prejudice through humor.
- In plain terms
- He tells a story about being treated unfairly because of his race, but finds humor in the blatant stereotype.
- What can you take from it?
- Humor can expose the absurdity of racism.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does using stereotypes in comedy challenge or reinforce them?
- How do we balance humor with sensitive social issues?
Another view
The joke relies on reinforcing the very stereotype it mocks, which can be controversial.
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