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although i'm not an avid watcher of the show's BET Comic View, whenever i happen 2 land on the channel it's usually the same jokes by different comics. white people r usually targeted and stereotypically (if a word) imitated by their way of talking, dressing, decision making and so on down the line. its been going on for years, but i'm just wondering can these jokes be labeled as racist? if the situation was turned around and mtv or other cable networks had a comedy show and blacks were subject to the same stereotyped humor from non blacks what would happen?

salt

I sure think so.

Its the same scenerio with the "black Power" movement. I see where there's a need for mobilizing the black community, But how would you feel if groups of caucasians walked around chanting "white power" and forming groups that were built on white pride?? Selectively choosing white members over anyone else.

Comics can joke around but there is a line you must draw when making ethnic jokes. I rarely hear caucasian comedians making black jokes, cuz I guarantee some of us if not most of us will get offended.

good point. i believe these other 'groups' exist already. the only thing is they r not necessarily in secrecy, but hust not as public or known as well other black movements or organizations 4 that matter. i can tell u this though, if it does get to the point of popularity and path's get crossed, xpect hell to break loose.

salt

I know we're getting off topic here, but..... :p

You say "if"? As if it hasn't already happened?!? The White Knights, the Aryan Nation, etc. have been in existence for decades and decades now. And I do see where you're coming from, and I've thought about that before. Like a couple years back, I was at the Reparations Rally in DC, and we were chanting "Black Power!" at times, in the midst of hundreds of white (and other races as well actually) supporters of the movement (hey, a good and just movement should rise above race, right?). Funny thing, they didn't seem the least bit bothered by it, as far as my reading of facial expressions went.

The difference of course, is that Black power is about Black nationalism, about empowerment, saying we deserve a piece of the pie too. That's kinda different from saying that every race but the Aryan should be wiped off the face of planet Earth.

Digression over, carry on :p

It personally doesn't bother me when they are showing the differences between groups of people for fun, like when a comedian says a white person tends to do this or react to a situation like so, whereas a black person does or handles it this way. Like Cedric talking about how we does run feh cover at a moments notice in public, cuz is true!.....I know it's not completely right, but the sad thing is, sometimes that sh!te does be so true. It's hard to be mad at the common truth. But when the comedians just start going off on tangents, make fun of another group of people based on stereotypes alone, that's crossing the line. Dat ain having no place in public.

But, havent' you noticed, black comedians have found a new race of people to target: Middle-Easterners, Moslems, and any and every race of people who get a jingoist association with terrorism since 9-11. That crap has me more pissed off than anything. We spent so much facking time in history combating racial profiling, and these fackers turning round and putting the same sh!ite on another group of people? What a bunch of faackery.

One famous black comedian yelling for security when he saw a "towel-head" on his flight. Another famous comedian in his concert movie yelling terrorist! at a man walking down the street in a clip (I' m being nice to not name names, but y'all may have seen it). These stupid idiots would be the ones to mistake a Guyanese Indian for a Middle-Easterner :

There is a new racism in America, and it's killing me that our comedians, our people, in complete ignorance, have gobbled it all up.

This is another issue that can be debated till time ends without outcome. Most comedians will tell you they make fun at life in general. They simply take the things we do and say and make fun of it. Can this be considered racist? Be assured though that this tactic is not only used by black comedians. White comedians continue to target other races as well. The difference is that because of the 'ticking race bomb' that exist in this country, they tend to be a bit more careful but the jokes are out there yet the same.
Preseverance, I am not sure I agree with your take on the 'Black Power' movement. As I understand it, the movement was put in place to give the race an opportunity for empowerment. It was not designed to alienate or separate races. Yes, we had some misguided individuals that used the movement to benefit their own agenda but the overall message was a positive one.
Salt, I believe the bigger problem here is that we have to have the 'BETs' of this world in order for our people to gain any exposure. This is where the true racism exists as mainstream tv and other media continue separation.
In closing, I have seen many white and latino comedians lately on BET. In their act they target everyone. At least BET is trying!