Anjelah Johnson vs. Pablo Francisco-- when is it racist?

[silkie]

Or is it only racist when it is not funny? Dunno. During the F44s downtime, angryasianman linked, on 2 occasions, to comedians doing asian impersonations.

The first one, Pablo Francisco, seems to devote his ENTIRE routine to mocking Asians (actually, not only one routine, but apparently several ones). Yep, pretty easy to say that this guy better watch his back in Chinatown:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nECzt0l2oA&NR


The second case is harder to assess:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o

Judging from the internet responses, some hates it, some likes it. I have to agree with AAman though, I am never comfortable with non-Asians doing asian accents. But, having ties to Southeast Asia, I also admit that this lady is pretty spot on in her accent and mannerisms.

Have you guys came across this? What do you think?

[Televangelist]

Agreed, the accent is pretty damn spot on. ;p

As to when it's racist - yeah, forget the first guy, agreed. As for the second, the intent doesn't seem to be demeaning, or characterizing an entire ethnicity; it's specifically, well, an accent you often hear in Vietnamese nail salons.

I'd put it in the same category as a lot of Dave Chapelle's bits, specifically the ones where he uses the Whitey McWhiteBread voice; it uses race, but it doesn't strike me as racist.

[silkie]

I guess somebody has already beaten me to it:
http://www.racialicious.com/2007/02/06/is-it-always-racist-when-comedians-copy-ethnic-accents/

I guess the reason why I was ambivalent about Johnson's schtick is because when I heard it, I did not cringe as I usually do. In fact, it really reminded me of my Thai grandmother's friends lecturing my sister on her love life. Also, someone pointed out in the linked discussion that it was not mean spirited. In terms of mocking Asians as foriegners; since I am not born here and not a naturalized American citizen, that never bothered me in that respect (I am only speaking for myself. I understand there is a whole other dynamic for people who are born and raised here). The only gripe is that my brain tells me it is never a good idea to use another minority's race as a source of laughter, and I think John's routine is one hair from careening towards the totally offensive side. I think in order to show herself as a well rounded comedian, she ought to do another routine that doesn't harp on race (it looks as if the nail salon is used in different gigs).

Francisco, on the other hand, really rubs me the wrong way. It is one thing to depict people as being different; but a whole different matter to portray them as stupid, rude, and sub-human as he did.

[Apollyon]

If you are ok with it, thats fine, but some Asian brothers and sisters may not feel the same way because of their circumstances or life's experiences. I personally feel that it is depicting racial stereotypes as humorous is tiresome and well within the bounds of bad taste. White people are not entitled to an opinion about what minorities feel is racist.

[silkie]

If you are ok with it, thats fine, but some Asian brothers and sisters may not feel the same way because of their circumstances or life's experiences.

I am pretty sure you are not addressing me with that, but just want to make certain that in bringing this up I do recognize that there are definitely other Asians whose opinion differs from mine.

[Apollyon]

Oh no no, I'm just saying that whatever opinion you have is as valid as any other Asian's opinion. I understand how you feel though, sometimes it can be confusing. For me personally, I've given up watching almost all forms of comedy since almost everything I used to watch inevitably had some sort of Asian caricature that I found offensive or at least uncomfortable. But it doing so, I've given up a big part of popular culture so I can't participate in water cooler talk with the boys. While some Asian Americans may claim they are not offended by racist caricatures, how they actually feel may be a completely different story. Too many I think try to play into the model minority stereotype since it is what is expected of us from society. The sooner we can break out of that mould and speak out about our true feelings without fear the better it will be for us. I've actually had women say to me that I'm pretty loud and outspoken for an Asian guy. We have to stand up for ourselves and not expect others to do it for us.

[Scowl]

Pablo is less funny (although not by much), less pleasant to look at (by a whole shitload) and much more mean spirited and dehumanizing in his routine.

Anjelah's act is racist, as well, but the difference is that hers is the kind of racism you can have fun with. People think of "racism" and it brings to mind all these horrible things like lynchings, cross burnings, physical assault and all this horrible stuff but racism doesn't have to be so bad. It's all in good fun and you can tell that there is no malice in Anjelah Johnson's mockery of us. Just listen to all the roars of laughter the moment she launches into the fake accent; how could something that makes so many people happy be so bad?

Don't think about it too much; just laugh and enjoy it. Life is too short to get anal about every little thing. Sometimes, a little racism is okay.

Besides, she's kind of cute. Pablo, on the other hand, is a total bigoted asshole who should die and go to hell where he can have nothing but baked and unsalted potato chips for every meal for the rest of eternity.

[maogirl]

it's very simple: if it's a semi-attractive cavebitch making the joke, it's not racist because at least she notices asians and might possibly fuck an asian guy.

[silkie]

it's very simple: if it's a semi-attractive cavebitch making the joke, it's not racist because at least she notices asians and might possibly fuck an asian guy.

Hey, what can I say... us gullible men will hand out free passes for a glimpse of cleavage.

Though I do not admit to the latter point.