Comedy Central's focus on race is getting tiring

[secretkeeper12]

It seems to me that Comedy Central has been giving the idea of race, particularly that of being black, a great deal of attention, at least in their fake news programs. It's the main theme in The Nightly Show, hosted by black comedian Larry Wilmore, but it's also evident in The Daily Show with how correspondents react to issues of the day. There's nothing wrong with showing black pride, as it has not been responsible for oppression the way white pride has, and when there are real issues of racism, bringing it up is entirely appropriate. But it seems that the writers are trying to shoe-horn race into every crevice they can fit it in.

Take the coverage of hydrated salts on Mars. Roy Wood Jr. spent the entire segment lamenting how black people would not be going to Mars, even though NASA has sent over dozen African-Americans into space. Passing the physical and intellectual challenges to becoming an astronaut isn't easy. If someone is capable of handling them, why the hell would a government agency deny them a job simply because they're black? Certainly, there are economic disparities that affect black Americans more than whites--one of those oppressions white pride has created--but to imply a social aspect to it strikes me as off base.

There was also the recent coverage of the Democratic debate, where Roy Wood Jr. said that America is ready for "another all-white president". As if having a black president these past 8 years ended racial problems....What needs to be done to address issues like police brutality are policies that expose racists and a will to prosecute them, as well as an examination of current policy to determine if they disproportionately affect minority groups. This can be done through police body cameras and reforming the prison-industrial complex, things said "all white-president" has made a point of addressing in his campaign.

You would think, after Bill Nye explained how different "races" came to be, and that they really don't exist [http://www.salon.com/2015/05/05/bill_nye_on_the_science_of_racism_were_all_the_same_from_a_scientific_standpoint/] on their program, CC wouldn't keep hammering such an idea into us. I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking what's supposed to be a half hour of poking fun at the news. Still, many people DO rely on these shows for at least some of their information, and while CC does a good job highlighting racial problems when they arise, I just can't see them contributing to a solution for these problems.

What do you think about Comedy Central's portrayal of race in their programs?

 

[Dango]

I just haven't found any shows on CC funny in a while. As far as the race thing goes, they like to pander to a younger audience, and race seems to be a big thing with the youth these days.

 

[Arctic Werewolf]

Laziest way to generate content and score cheap points. I stopped watching Comedy Central years ago. Ignorant self-serious jeering has been a very successful formula for them. It's a shame, because they have had a lot of talented people to work with the past few years. It's what kept me watching as long as I did.

Remember Chapelle's Show? Holy shit that guy was funny. I remember Kids in the Hall, and back when Saturday Night Live was funny. It's not that the fake news shows never write a good joke. It just feels like it used to be about fun, not scoring cheap points like I'm watching The O'Reilly Factor or something.

Oh, are Key and Peele on Comedy Central? Not quite Chapelle's Show, but they're pretty funny.

I guess thats what happen when you give two shows about topical news issues to people who aren't white - they talk about racism. Its almost as if its prevalent in today's society and still causing major problems.

You would think, after Bill Nye explained how different "races" came to be, and that they really don't exist [http://www.salon.com/2015/05/05/bill_nye_on_the_science_of_racism_were_all_the_same_from_a_scientific_standpoint/] on their program, CC wouldn't keep hammering such an idea into us.

Now this is just stupid denialism. Everybody who isn't a racist twat knows that there are no real differences. However, there's still a lot of racist twats who don't know and/or don't care, and their racism still can have a profound negative impact on society. We can't just stop talking about it because it hasn't stopped effecting people. Saying that race isn't real and therefore we shouldn't talk about racism is like saying that you're not a homophobe so we shouldn't talk about homophobia. Its an attempt to shut down much needed conversation about an issue that is still prevalent.

I'm regurgitating this quote once again because its still relevant.

"I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and that when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that the present tension in the South is a necessary phase of the transition from an obnoxious negative peace, in which the Negro passively accepted his unjust plight, to a substantive and positive peace, in which all men will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured."

Denial of a problem is how you prevent progress from occurring. These sorts of folks told abolitionists to wait patiently and be quiet with the promise that their grievances would be heard and addressed if they did and that if they didn't it would never be addressed. These sorts of folks told suffragists to wait patiently and be quiet with the promise that they'd someday their grievances would magically become resolved by a benevolent group of men and if they didn't they'd never get their way. These sorts of folks told civil rights activists to wait patiently and be quietly and someday their grievances would magically become resolved by a benevolent group of white men and that if they didn't they'd never get their way. When the financial crisis occured those who caused it told the people whose lives were being ruined by it to wait patiently and be quiet and that if they spoke up about it it would only hurt them more. Its nonsensical platitudes spouted by people who either have nothing to lose by waiting or something to lose by addressing the issue. When you have no stake in things its pretty easy to tell people who are effected by a problem to not get upset and wait until their benevolent overlords decide one day to fix all their problems magically. Thats magical thinking and it has never, ever worked. It doesn't work. Things don't fix themselves. You wouldn't dare go into your friend's home, see a leak in their ceiling right above their bed and tell them not to do anything about it and that it wouldn't fix itself, so why do it here?

Magical thinking does not work. You do not get rid of a serious problem by pretending that it doesn't exist. You don't look at a fire in your home and think "it'll burn itself out". Racism still exists and effects others even if it doesn't affect you. Life does not begin and end at your personal convenience. I'm whiter than Casper and racism has never really been a detriment to my life but I'm not going to say "just stop talking about it" beacuse it doesn't effect me because its clear that it effects many people. Even if I don't do anything to help acknowledging the problem means that there's less resistance to necessary reform.

And this is just a taste of the HIL-AR-IOUS antics and gut-busting laughs you can only get here, on Comedy Central!

I wasn't totally sure what the topic creator's point was but I think you just proved it. Right now I think I'd rather have my head chopped off than watch Comedy Central. It certainly doesn't sound like a fun experience.

 

[Azure23]

Don't see CC but I wouldn't really trust a comedy channel too much for my politics, especially if it's the same opinion over and over again which most likely drive people to start get sick of it rather than think about it.

Though if we talk about the president, if the last 8 years are any sign the president is better white...

U wot.

No seriously, are you actually implying (nah fuck implying), are you actually saying that the president's skin color is somehow tied to his ability to president? That he's a less effective president because he's black? I mean fuck me, I haven't even seen the most conservative pundits just come out and say "Obama is a shitty president because he's black."

Or it could be I'm just misinterpreting you. Which I hope I am.


On the subject of Comedy Central's supposed focus on race: it's two half hour shows a day, and I'd say that the Daily Show doesn't really have a "focus on race" so much as has a black host who reacts to things based on personal experience. Wilmore? Sure, he's got a focus on race, and he's funny but,like I said, a half hour a day among all their other stand up shows, animated shows, and sketch comedy shows does not exactly constitute a focus on race in my mind.

 

[Something Amyss]

I guess thats what happen when you give two shows about topical news issues to people who aren't white - they talk about racism. Its almost as if its prevalent in today's society and still causing major problems.

Oh, Christ, there are TWO? Yeah, this IS getting out of hand.

...seriously, though, is that it? Is that what's got "race issues" out of hand? Because...

I actually enjoy the new coverage, and I'm a 40 year old white guy in rural Illinois if that makes any difference. If I want to see the standard white viewpoint on my politics, I'll go to literally any other source.

That's what kills me. If you want to see other coverage there is almost literally every other channel.

For the record, Wilmore talks about topics I don't see covered elsewhere in the news with any prominence. This is pretty much the sole reason I watch him.

 

[Eddie the head]

I guess thats what happen when you give two shows about topical news issues to people who aren't white - they talk about racism. Its almost as if its prevalent in today's society and still causing major problems.

Fair enough, but the same joke being told 100 times stops being funny. Although admittedly I haven't watched too much of those slots in a while so I wouldn't know if the joke was overused.

 

[KissingSunlight]

I stopped watching Larry Wilmore when he stopped doing "Keeping It 100" segment. After that, the show devolved into an echo chamber.

Trevor Noah lost me recently when he turned the segment about the Democratic debate into a campaign ad for Hilary Clinton. I was really trying to give him a chance. Unfortunately, Trevor Noah is trying to do the same thing as Jon Stewart. He just doesn't have the same passion and quality insights to pull it off.

 

[Worgen]

Suckering suckertash, you mean a white perspective isn't being represented 100% of the time. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR WHITE POWER MAN. WITH THE POWER TO HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER YOUR MEDIA. WHITE POWER MAN, AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY.

 

[Worgen]

Suckering suckertash, you mean a white perspective isn't being represented 100% of the time. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR WHITE POWER MAN. WITH THE POWER TO HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER YOUR MEDIA. WHITE POWER MAN, AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY.

Don't forget his sidekick, The Brittle Christian! "I'll show you a war on Christmas JEWS atheists and bankers!" he screams over Murdoch owned air.

TOGETHER WE FORM THE LEGION OF PRIVILEGE! Who shall never be cowed by the relentless yammering of woman and minorities.

 

[Something Amyss]

"I can't enjoy a source of entertainment that doesn't constantly tell me everything I want to hear."

Well, in fairness, this isn't just an internet echo chamber thing. But yes, it's interesting that people get upset that there's an hour of entertainment that isn't directly aimed at them.

Whereas I've been repeatedly told "don't like it? Don't watch it."

 

[Something Amyss]

Suckering suckertash, you mean a white perspective isn't being represented 100% of the time. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR WHITE POWER MAN. WITH THE POWER TO HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER YOUR MEDIA. WHITE POWER MAN, AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY.

Don't forget his sidekick, The Brittle Christian! "I'll show you a war on Christmas JEWS atheists and bankers!" he screams over Murdoch owned air.

TOGETHER WE FORM THE LEGION OF PRIVILEGE! Who shall never be cowed by the relentless yammering of woman and minorities.

Hey, can I be your token member? I offer the power of reassurance, because listening to me means you can ignore dissenting voices.

 

[Worgen]

Suckering suckertash, you mean a white perspective isn't being represented 100% of the time. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR WHITE POWER MAN. WITH THE POWER TO HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER YOUR MEDIA. WHITE POWER MAN, AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY.

Don't forget his sidekick, The Brittle Christian! "I'll show you a war on Christmas JEWS atheists and bankers!" he screams over Murdoch owned air.

TOGETHER WE FORM THE LEGION OF PRIVILEGE! Who shall never be cowed by the relentless yammering of woman and minorities.

Hey, can I be your token member? I offer the power of reassurance, because listening to me means you can ignore dissenting voices.

I dub thee 'Black Friend' with the power of dismissing charges of racism since White Power Man has a Black Friend.

 

[Something Amyss]

I dub thee 'Black Friend' with the power of dismissing charges of racism since White Power Man has a Black Friend.

Sweet! Err...does it matter than I'm not black? It's just a title, right?

Those are probably the same people with terribly hurt feelings, who like to chant "Feelz before realz". Projection is a *****.

TBH, I'm not even sure it's projection. I literally think they don't know they're doing it.

 

[Worgen]

I dub thee 'Black Friend' with the power of dismissing charges of racism since White Power Man has a Black Friend.

Sweet! Err...does it matter than I'm not black? It's just a title, right?

White Power Man prefers it that way, just tell people you have that Michael Jackson disease.

 

[mecegirl]

This is why diversity in media matters op. You noticed how the hosts background influenced the content of the show. Well guess what! Even when the host is White it influences the content of a show. It is not an unbiased or nutral perspective. And those of us who aren't White notice. Unlike your situation though it isn't just an hours worth of television. If that hour is all it took for you to start feeling annoyed how do you think those of us on the other side of things feel?

Besides, if less racist shit happened then they wouldn't have anything to talk about. Even in our oh so enlightened society some people are still racist. And they will continue to be racist if they think they can get away with it. Talking about their words and deeds on a show that reaches a large audince puts pressure on them and those who think like them. And for those who aren't racist but do/say racist things half the time ignorance is the reason why. If racism is spoken about publicly some folks might learn something.

 

[Something Amyss]

White Power Man prefers it that way, just tell people you have that Michael Jackson disease.

*opens mouth*

...actually, you know what? Good enough.

To be fair, genuine projection is predicated on a lack of self awareness concerning what's projected. So, it's not mutually exclusive that they be both oblivious, and projecting.

Yeah, but is it actually placing one's own actions on another, or recognising that other people are, in fact, offended, sensitive, or in another way give a crap?

 

[Joccaren]

I guess thats what happen when you give two shows about topical news issues to people who aren't white - they talk about racism. Its almost as if its prevalent in today's society and still causing major problems.

- snippity snip -

Whilst yes, issues of racism do need to be talked about and bought up, just like sexism, and homelessness, and environmental damage (And no, none of that is sarcastic; They really need to be fucking talked about), I can understand where the OP is coming from as well. You watch the News about a rover finding salt on Mars. What do you expect the discussion to be about? How the salt got there? What it means for Mars? How it was discovered?
Nope, black people and how they're underprivileged.

Like... In that example, it doesn't even make sense, and if it were a serious news show I'd just stop watching - though to be fair this is apparently on a Comedy channel so I'm not sure I'd take it seriously. Report the news, move on. Hell, its the reason people hate Fox news and the like [Other than the fact that 90% of what they say is wrong, that's another big issue] : The topic is on... oh, I don't know... Lets say a rover has found salt on Mars. The discussion on the show is about Jesus and how atheists are going to eat your babies, and they're gay and don't want guns [A bit of hyperbole I admit, but Fox deserves it].

Yes, there is a time and a place. That doesn't mean wait for that time and place and be quiet so much, news outlets should give some time to real fucking issues in society, like rampant depression among male teens, the sexism faced by women, racism faced by people of colour, the homeless people on the street who need help - without a political election agenda - however when else interesting comes up that is utterly unrelated to society and racism and such... Such as a rover finding salt on Mars... then the discussion should be on that topic instead.

Its not a case of no talks should be done on racism - there definitely should be more talk about it and other issues - its a matter of not every talk should be about racism, especially those utterly unrelated to it.

Disclaimer: I don't watch American TV since I live on the opposite side of the world, so I don't know exactly what this show is like and whether it always crosses the line for me or not. However, the example given in the OP is a bit ridiculous I feel.

 

[Something Amyss]

This is why diversity in media matters op. You noticed how the hosts background influenced the content of the show. Well guess what! Even when the host is White it influences the content of a show. It is not an unbiased or nutral perspective. And those of us who aren't White notice. Unlike your situation though it isn't just an hours worth of television. If that hour is all it took for you to start feeling annoyed how do you think those of us on the other side of things feel?

Besides, if less racist shit happened then they wouldn't have anything to talk about. Even in our oh so enlightened society some people are still racist. And they will continue to be racist if they think they can get away with it. Talking about their words and deeds on a show that reaches a large audince puts pressure on them and those who think like them. And for those who aren't racist but do/say racist things half the time ignorance is the reason why. If racism is spoken about publicly some folks might learn something.

The funny thing is, I forgot about Trevor's rebranded Daily Show until this thread reminded me. I've been watching, and Noah doesn't seem to be talking much about race. Yes, he mentions it occasionally, but so far, he seems less likely to bring it up than Jon Stewart did.

You know, Jon, the white guy most people seemed to love?

Oh, and occasionally, he mentions he's not American in some format.

So yeah. You have like, an hour of major network stuff that has dark-skinned people, but only half of that actually leans to covering racial issues as a given. So, maybe 30 minutes (being generous) out of the 46 total minutes of running time in that hour? Yeah, this is a focus on race, I guess? The correspondents don't seem to be playing the race card, either.

I think this is an extension of the same phenomenon you see when race issues are brought up on the news. People get "tired of hearing about it." I'm sure unarmed black people are tired of dying, too, but sure. Let's drop an issue of systemic violence because it depresses people to be reminded that another group has it worse.

It seems any amount of focus on race (or other issues) is too much. And unfortunately, that's a line where the rest of us should not have to compromise.

Sorry, wandered away from whatever my original point was, but yeah. I love the point that if an hour is all it takes, how does everyone else feel?

Anyway, yeah. The Nightly Show talks about race. That's good since it brings up shit I'm not seeing elsewhere. The Daily Show sometimes covers race, like it did when Jon was in charge. It doesn't seem to have changed its focus just because Not Jon is the new host. And the only thing I can really say about Not Jon is that he's not Jon.

But then, I really wanted Jessica Williams to host, so it's not like I was exactly burned a black person got it. I just really adore Jessica. <3

If someone is delusional or outright psychotic they can project their actions on another, but more usually we all project in little ways. The things we most dislike about ourselves, our anxieties and insecurities, we tend to betray them in small ways all of the time. Sometimes if people are particularly maladjusted, or worse, if they have a nasty personality disorder it all gets more gruesome. Those are the people you meet who will scream at you, while you calmly ask them what's wrong. So they scream at you, that you need to stop being so angry.

An extreme example, and a more common one is something we're all familiar with: liars never trust anyone.

Well, as a liar, I can understand that. Though my situation is more a feedback loop, but...I digress. Thing is, I'm not quite sure it's worth jumping to projection when there's another, simpler example.

 

[Something Amyss]

You watch the News about a rover finding salt on Mars. What do you expect the discussion to be about? How the salt got there? What it means for Mars? How it was discovered?
Nope, black people and how they're underprivileged.

I'm pretty sure I've never seen a news anchor say "And in breaking news, NASA reports that salt water has been discovered on Mars. Let's discuss how this affects black people."

Do you have an actual example?

And since you're bolstering the OP's point, can you do it in the form of Comedy Central?

(Yes, I saw you don't watch American TV. But if you're bolstering a ponint about American TV with what I'm pretty sure is a fictional example, it becomes relevant).

 

[Joccaren]

You watch the News about a rover finding salt on Mars. What do you expect the discussion to be about? How the salt got there? What it means for Mars? How it was discovered?
Nope, black people and how they're underprivileged.

I'm pretty sure I've never seen a news anchor say "And in breaking news, NASA reports that salt water has been discovered on Mars. Let's discuss how this affects black people."

Do you have an actual example?

And since you're bolstering the OP's point, can you do it in the form of Comedy Central?

(Yes, I saw you don't watch American TV. But if you're bolstering a ponint about American TV with what I'm pretty sure is a fictional example, it becomes relevant).

I would re-read the OP, and my "I don't watch American TV" disclaimer again. Quote from OP:

Take the coverage of hydrated salts on Mars. Roy Wood Jr. spent the entire segment lamenting how black people would not be going to Mars, even though NASA has sent over dozen African-Americans into space.

Here we have OP providing an example of the Comedy Central channel breaking news that salt water has been discovered on Mars, and discussing how bad it is that black people will never go there.

Now re-read my "I don't watch American TV" disclaimer again. I don't know what this segment was actually like, and I admit that, but going by what OP has given as an example, that example seems a little absurd. Maybe I could have written that clearer, but I thought I made it clear that I'm only giving an analysis of what the OP has said.
If the OPs description of the coverage of the Mars Hydrated Water is incorrect, and they didn't bring up black people going into space, then sure. What I said was based on faulty information, it doesn't hold. If the section was turned into a discussion on the fact that blacks can't go to space, then yeah, that's a bit ridiculous.

The political discussion? A bit less out there, seeing as race is an issue that politics needs to address a bit more firmly [Firmer laws against racism would be an excellent start]. Personally it still seems a little over the top considering, AFAIK, there is no black candidate running for president so there is no option but a white president, but as said, I don't watch American TV, so I don't know American politics either, or what actually happened in that segment.