Punchlines : the case for racial, ethnic, and gender humor
"This timely work displays ethnic, racial, and gender humor in both its aspects: as an aggressive instrument of prejudice and as a powerful defense against it. Rappoport explores the origins and implications of the various slurs, stereotypes, and obscenities that are typical of this double edged form of modern comedy, as well as the ways in which irony has been employed by minority figures as a weapon against oppression."--Jacket
Criticism, interpretation, etc
xv, 181 pages ; 25 cm
9780275987640, 0275987647
60839377
Introduction : the hazards and joys of racial, ethnic, and gender humor
The sword and shield metaphor and other perspectives
What makes us laugh : humor theory and research from Plato and Aristotle to Sigmund Freud
Prejudice, pride, and play in ethnic comedy
The origins and psychology of stereotypes and slurs
The dominant role of Jews and African Americans : Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, and the culture of irony
Jewish and African American roots humor : saving grace in the face of oppression
Males versus females, gays versus straights, and the varieties of gender humor
The "new breed" of comedians and transformation of ethnicity
Becoming a comedian : minority status helps but is not enough
In defense of ethnic humor and its role in our multicultural society