During our class sessions this week, we discussed how media effects it's audience, especially in regards to ethnic jokes, and why the audience members use or utilize the different forms of media that they choose.
In regards to the first topic, we viewed clips from Katt Williams' stand up and were asked if any of it was offensive. Personally, I didn't find it to be offensive, because I understand there are certain things ( like the elephant in the room, the N-word) that should only be said by certain people, namely people that are comfortable saying it, not even necessarily Black or African American people. Katt is a comedian first and foremost, so if his stand up routine is offensive to you, I can suggest just not watching, because the point of a comedian is to entertain and make people laugh, there are plenty of other willing patrons that will listen to his and any other "offensive" comedians. I can understand if someone was on stage saying racial slurs and being disrespectful on purpose without even the notion that they're trying to be funny, then I can understand, but nowadays it seems like people are so concerned with being P.C and have really gotten "soft" to pretty much everything. The days of Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, even newer comedians like Martin Lawrence, Nick Dipaolo and Lisa Lampanelli seem like they're going to be a thing of the past pretty soon.
In regards to why audiences use certain media, I feel like I'm personally having my cake and eating it too, so to speak. I am an avid fan of writing, sports, and everything to do with Hip-Hop, and those are pretty much my three main forms of media (maybe video games as a fourth) and one of those fields is where I would like to make my future living, whether it be as a sports writer or a writer for a Hip-Hop/R-n-B oriented magazine. It's like I'm learning as I'm enjoying myself, which is a good thing, considering I can kill two birds with one stone, but have a big smile on my face while doing so.
I totally agree with this post! If you are sensitive to cultural discrimination, even if it or isn't directed towards you, obviously Katt Williams wouldn't be the person to watch. I don't see why people want to make other peoples humor their business. To me it is like picking which television show I watch. If I know I am not going to like a show or am going to be offended by it why would I turn into it? You are also right that people are trying to be too politically correct these days. We have to keep tight lipped about so many topics that we are really limiting ourselves with what we find joy in. If we enjoy Katt Williams who is to judge us for laughing at a comedy show that hundreds paid to go see in person? I am not saying it is right for everyone to make Katt Williams like remarks but, he is an appropriate person to do so, and we shouldn't feel bad for laughing at it. At the end of the day all he is doing is telling jokes, and jokes are all they are, nothing more. He says himself we need to come together and push race aside and I agree its about time we do that.
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