(this entry needed to be reposted because when I went to correct a misplaced apostrophe and saved the file, the layout, for some reason, was broken… thank you)

Michael Richards: Bad Humor Goes Good: do you like that subtitle?

Well, it’s exactly what we’re starting to see, and, it’s a wonderful thing… all praise to God! Yes, indeed, as I alluded to below where I mentioned Senator George Allen, whose viciousness was flipped via the power of the web into the humorous Macaca Allen moniker … it’s a wonderful thing we see when through humor we start a sort of mass psychic correction …. I am really going to have to write in depth on this concept soon, because, it’s a wonderful, wonderful thing! And, by no means am I attempting to be mystifying. I will quickly summarize the idea.

Something like Richards’ hate rant was hurtful to a lot of people of all colors. That’s not to say that anyone is burying her head in the sand and sinking into a terminal depression; but, it remains: to hear such talk in 2006 was very upsetting to a lot of folks of all colors. And, as a culture, our tendency leans towards trying to achieve some sort of closure. Closure isn’t the best word, but, we can’t just let the initial act stand. We must, collectively, dilute the catalyst and actually alter it… and, if possible, make ourselves better through it!

I’ve seen this happen countless times through incidents small and large (such as September 11). Now, a great way to do this is through humor. A beautiful way to alter the impact of the initial catalyst is to flip it around through the humor lens: which is really to say, through a divine process of our divine minds.

Enter Paul Mooney . You know, when I saw that there was an interview with this comedy genius, you better believe I was going to check that out. And, it’s worth it. You see, the somewhat myopic, and, often petulant, Greta Van Susteren sat down for a quick interview with Mooney. Greta, my dear, that was a mistake. If you want to approach a man with Mooney’s intellect and humility, you had better approach with equal humility, or, this type of comedic genius is going to get a bit ticked. I mean, we’re talking about the man who, among many other accomplishments, wrote extensive material for Richard Pryor. Yes, Richard Pryor!

I think Mooney summarizes the Laugh Factory video well:

“I thought I was at a Ku Klux Klan rally. It was like beyond belief to me.”

Greta asks if there’s a way Michael Richards can redeem himself. Mooney says, “He can take that same act and perform at the Apollo. ”

This set-up a pointed exchange, as Greta attempts to explain to the viewing audience what “The Apollo” means.

Mooney took a bit of understandable umbrage to this culturally ignorant presumption.

“That’s funny. The Apollo is world renowned. Trust me sweetheart. The Apollo in Harlem is as white as you, so don’t worry about it.”

Bravo. Take that Greta. Nice attempt to try and divide American culture into white and black camps, but, Mooney is right: the Apollo Theater is not some obscure reference that needs explanation, and, to presume it does is quite insulting to this marvelous accomplishment of the African American people. And, Greta, shame on you for your subtle little bit of white supremacy that slipped in there!
You, my dear are busted!

Greta’s retort (complete with stupid grin), “You know what Paul? I’ve been to The Apollo.”

That’s great Greta. I imagine you are familiar with the term non sequitur? That’s when the thing that you just said doesn’t bear any logical or reasonable connection to the idea that you’re responding to.

One of the very interesting concepts that Mooney puts forth is that you can do racial jokes as long as there’s an “out.” This is really a fascinating (and, now I see true) concept. And, Mooney ends the segment by supporting his view with an example: a rather clever and amusing racial joke. And, I love that joke, and, it’s what got me to thinking about how through comedy we start flipping this Richards catalyst. The other humor that got me thinking was the KKKRamer rap. We will continue to see various comedians and so forth approach Michael Richards’ hurtful performance with humor in the coming days.

Enjoy,
Katie
Important ideas, concepts, and terms in this post:Michael Richards, Seinfeld, nigger, Paul Mooney, interview, video, CNN, Greta Van Susteren, Apollo Theater, Harlem, humor, funny, jokes, joke, racial joke

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