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To Be Real: Truth and Racial Authenticity in African American Standup Comedy (OXFORD STUDIES IN LANGUAGE RACE SERIES)

Name: To Be Real: Truth and Racial Authenticity in African American Standup Comedy (OXFORD STUDIES IN LANGUAGE RACE SERIES)
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Book Synopsis: To Be Real: Truth and Racial Authenticity in African American Standup Comedy examines Black standup comedy over the past decade as a stage for understanding why notions of racial authenticity--in essence, appeals to "realness" and "real Blackness"--emerge as a cultural imperative in African American culture. Ethnographic observations and interviews with Black comedians ground this telling, providing a narrative arc of key historical moments in the new millennium. Readers will understand how and why African American comics invoke "realness" to qualify nationalist 9/11 discourses and grapple with the racial entailments of the war, overcome a sense of racial despair in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, critique Michael Richards' ["Kramer's"] notorious rant at The Laugh Factory and subsequent attempts to censor their use of the n-word, and reconcile the politics of a "real" in their own and other Black folks' everyday lives. Additionally, readers will hear through audience murmurs, hisses, and boos how beliefs about racial authenticity are intensely class-wrought and fraught. Moreover, they will appreciate how context remains ever critical to when and why African American comics and audiences lobby for and/or lampoon jokes that differentiate the "real" from the "fake" or "Black folks" from so-called "niggahs." Context and racial vulnerability are critical to understanding how and why allusions to "racial authenticity" persist in the African American comedic and cultural imagination.

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Discover the fascinating world of African American standup comedy with To Be Real: Truth and Racial Authenticity in African American Standup Comedy. Delve into the depths of cultural imperatives and appeals to "realness" and "real Blackness" that have shaped Black comedy in the past decade. Uncover the narratives and historical moments that drive the discourse around racial authenticity in African American culture. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of comedy, race, and identity.

Through ethnographic observations and interviews with Black comedians, To Be Real offers a unique perspective on the way African American comics navigate and challenge societal expectations. Gain insight into how these comedians use comedy as a platform to confront and address issues such as nationalism, racial despair, and racial stereotypes. Experience the power of humor in shedding light on complex issues and sparking important conversations about race and authenticity.

Join us on a journey through the world of African American standup comedy and explore the nuances of racial authenticity in comedy and culture. With To Be Real: Truth and Racial Authenticity in African American Standup Comedy, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the socio-political landscape that shapes the comedic expressions of Black voices. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking and eye-opening exploration of realness, identity, and race in standup comedy.

Ready to explore the dynamic world of African American standup comedy? Dive into To Be Real: Truth and Racial Authenticity in African American Standup Comedy and embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of Black humor and cultural commentary. Order your copy today and discover the power of comedy in challenging perceptions, breaking down barriers, and sparking conversations that resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.

Order Now and Explore the World of African American Standup Comedy!

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