Sooo...because you don't know how to be funny, where race is concerned, and are feeling some liberal guilt about it, we all should?

There's a time/place for ironic, race-based humor (all though none for your stupid, racist t-shirt)...just maybe not for you.

We're all prejudice to one degree or another and ironic racism is better used to point this out and make fun of our own hidden prejudices. It works to both acknowlegde these prejudices exist and to point out how utterly idiotic they are.

I've always believed, on the other hand, that anyone who feels they have to point out they're not racist might, secretly, have some predjudices they're unwilling to acknowlegde...maybe this is the case with you, Mr. Harrell? Your talk about this issue is pretty close to the Richardson/Imus approach and maybe that's the real source of your guilt about this humor.

Eh, you should read his post about "other people's babies." The guy is a bit of a pedant. Even though I believe he's right here (I'm a Black woman who occasionally uses race based humor, but thinks it can be overused in a Wazzup/Where's the Beef? sort of way), his Father Knows best tone make me want to scream the n-word repeatedly like I'm in a Patti Smith cover band.

This is a great article. I feel like ironic racism has done alot to bring to light those touchy subjects that we tiptoe around. But ironic racism has worked so well that we've reached a new plateau where ironic racism is no longer the tool of pioneers against racism and is now an annoying echo from the lot that tends to get jokes last. the lot that still appreciates ironic racism is a little slow.

I have noticed this trend becoming something dark and awful for sometime. I think Elektro 87 has missed the real injury of racism. Like the use of the "n-word" in music- not everyone can get a free license to drop it at will because not everyone will immediately assume you are being ironic or masking a truly sympathetic view- especially if you're a white guy. Instead of assuming everyone can or even should recognise a joke-let's assume these words hurt at face value regardless, because, in truth, they do. I know this idea shocks a lot of ironic racists. It's as if, -if you are "hip" enough, then it's somehow impossible for you to be truly racist, and any misconception must be just that- a misconception. Irony is nothing if not an invitation to misconception. Ironically adopting cultural hyperbole, like an airbrushed Tupac Shakur t shirt, while jokingly drinking some malt liquor and dropping n-bombs has been the type that I have picked up on the most lately. However, much like the recent college "bling" party controversies, I think the underlying point here is that if you are offending someone by mocking or superficially celebrating racial stereotypes, regardless of how smart aleck'y and tolerant and funny you really believe you are, it is racist. The surface IS what counts. The intent to offend or hurt is arbitrary when the action itself achieves it on it's own. Worse yet, when it becomes culturally acceptable to do this sort of thing, then guys like your Uncle Terry, or Don Imus or whoever, those who truly "don't get it", then think it's OK to jump on this bandwagon for all of the really wrong reasons. I've seen it happen. So, for all the reasons you can give to justify it, it's better to just stop it, that way, there can be no misconception.

A few nights ago, I was stuck listening to a standup performance by 'blue collar' comedian Larry the Cable Guy on Comedy Central (I was hanging wallpaper and couldn't change the channel). I was absolutely stunned to hear him crack no less than three 'hairlip' jokes and make numerous references to 'water-head retards'. I was disgusted, but he got plenty of laughs every time. Guess he found a way to allow people to vent their hate without singling out a particular race. Ummm...kudos?

Um, alright...thanks sirloyal, for making a lot of inaccurate assumptions about my life/habits/point. It is nice to know, however, that the PC police are back in full-force.

I'm not advocating ironic racism for the sake of it...I've never 'dropped the n-bomb' in my life (outside of contextual discussions). What your talking about, sirloyal--the 'ghetto fabulous' partys and Boho Brooklynites pretending to be 'down' by drinking 40s--thats just flat-out racism, there's nothing ironic about it.
The need to censor people on this issue of race makes a lot of people feel like they're setting standards and defending the "Other", which makes 'em feel better for not fighting for causes that could really up-end the oppressive social structure of our country. Fighting Don Imus doesn't fix our education, prison, justice or economic systems--it just helps to justify your own self-righteousness.

Look, the difference between racist humor and race-based humor (Imus vs. Silverman) is that one is mere name calling and the other reveals something about people's assumptions and is usually best left to the pros.

But let's stay on topic. Scott Harrell, based on the tone of his reviews, is likely a tool who enjoys congratulating himself.

True enough, JMC. And thanks for the clarification. Sarah Silverman, I guess, would be the missing example I'm looking for.

I can't speak for others--but when I make jokes involving race, they aren't dissing the Slavs who might be cooking my pizza (ironic or not) but making fun of myself and friends for assumptions we make about others, consciously or otherwise.

Sarah Silverman's jokes, when they work, expose her own stupidity/ignorance, etc. far more than they denigrate whomever she's speaking of. This is what I take to be 'ironic racism'.

The idea that somebody defends dropping n-bombs by saying its 'ironic' is pretty retarded and, also, incorrect. Its transgressive...big difference.

Oh yeah and, by all accounts, Scotty Harrel's a big d-bag.

Ok, ok. But mention of Silverman is the perfect example. It's funny not because she is simply so smart and awesome that whatever comes out of her mouth is funny and observant and not offensive , but moreso that her audience is a specific target of people who "get her" and "get the joke", supposedly. But if you happen to catch her on HBO, never heard of her, what she says is ridiculously capable of misconception. Now, I don't argue that you have the right to not be offended, that's PC police, I'm arguing that if you do not wish to perceived in this light, if you wish to not offend and to not have to explain how someone isn't "getting it" (which most likely is Imus and every other assholes'(racist intent or not) story), then try not to offend rather than be witty. That is a misplaced racial solidarity effort. Silverman-whatever- she's on public record... Racism is felt at public annonymous places, like overhearing the n-bomb at a restaurant, not so much on HBO. I argue for minding your own beeswax and not trying to impress your own friends by being ironically funny with this as the fodder- mainly jokes about already perpetuated and conceived stereotypes(Silverman's routine) . Just let them die. If you think I don't get the joke- well you should have heard some I have told when I was less concerned with peace. I am now more concerned with not being preceived as offensive, and also in not offending. Broad assumptions(In lewe of a darn clear post) are something we all scoff at from strangers.