tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448219757334291316.post8059553700735400520..comments2011-06-22T22:28:50.228-04:00Comments on Thoughts Right Now: Why Tracy Morgan doesn't owe me an apology (or anyone else, for that matter)Shane Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11388660252153589818noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448219757334291316.post-5524279310502133572011-06-22T22:28:50.228-04:002011-06-22T22:28:50.228-04:00In his wonderful biography of vaudeville, "Va...In his wonderful biography of vaudeville, "Vaudeville: From the Honky-Tonks to the Palace," former vaudevillian Joe Laurie, Jr. discussed how so many comedians in vaudeville often played on racial and ethnic stereotypes. Weber and Fields, among others, were known for their German and Dutch acts while a host of famous comics from Lew Dockstader and Marie Dressler to Eddie Cantor and Bert Williams performed in blackface. Laurie explains that much of this humour, while now considered very offensive, was a way for Americans to acclimate themselves to the new immigrants as well as African-Americans. <br /><br />Granted, some of the historical humour was meant to degrade and demean but not all. While Morgan's humour was in bad taste, I don't really think it was meant to degrade and demean. If we generalize and say all humour that is based on stereotypes is degrading and demeaning, despite the intent of the performer, we might as well get rid of all comedy and never laugh again for fear of offending someone.<br /><br />Excellent post!Lewis Powell IVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08450071982205532622noreply@blogger.com