I just want to share with you my favourite comedian. Some of you may already know him. In that case you can just ignore this post.
Russell Peters is an Indian guy who grew up in Canada in a very culturally diverse community. He is a commedian who makes use of his diverse up-bringing and his talent for observing cultures around him. He was relatively unknown, until some of his acts were posted on-line. His popularity soared, and soon starred in many sold-out performances all over the world, becoming a world wide cultural phenomenon.
He is so funny, I've watched him over and over again and it is still funny every single time. I don't think he is racist. I think he breaksdown stereotypes through his comedy. This is one of his more well-known clips, especially amongst Chinese people, for obvious reasons. We find it funny because there is a frame of reference that we can identify and an element of truth in his humour. Laughing at his jokes doesn't mean your are racist, although you could be. He makes "stereotypes" - or the way some people (or should i say, most people) view those who are unfamiliar to them - seem ridiculous and laughable because he shows how silly humans behave and react to things alien to them. More than breaking down stereotypes, he raises cultural awareness, and enables minorities to stand-up and standout in their own unique, but not insignificant, way.
Have a look at this video and tell me what you think:
Comments (2)
I have to agree that he's very funny.